t3hhcaptain

I know there is at least one member, UTAH TSX, who is running redline racing atf in their auto transmission.

I am about to try it myself. I know the TL guys think pretty highly of the fluid. There are some people on this forum who suggest running ONLY Honda fluid, but after reading about what it is that makes Honda fluid, "Honda" fluid, is the friction modifiers which cause slippage between shifts. All information is according to this thread (https://acurazine.com/forums/perform...ng-atf-764322/). It is filled with information, so please do read.

Has anyone else ran this fluid in their transmission? UTAH gives it two thumbs up. The TL guys do, too. I've got 9 quarts (6 of the racing, 3 of the lightweight) ready to load up and I'm planning on doing a 3 qt drain and fill this weekend.

Thoughts/Comments/Debate/Criticism?

t3hhcaptain

There is also this thread: (https://acurazine.com/forums/third-generation-tl-2004-2008-93/optimal-percentage-racing-atf-834299/)

xtcnrice

Subscribed. Let us know how it feels!

alexb92

After 2x3 of Type F my tranny developed a shudder in my 3G TL. Did a 1x3 of D4 and it went away. Too much Type F can wreak havoc on your trans...

t3hhcaptain

That is what the second thread is talking about. I'm planning on following Inaccurate's recommendation for those beginning with redline ATF.

QUOTE:

For anyone that is beginning to use Racing ATF for the first time

Refill #1 = 2 qt Racing ATF + 1 qt Lightweight ATF
Refill #2 = 2 qt Lightweight ATF + 1 qt Racing ATF
Refill #3 = 1 qt D4 + 1 qt Racing ATF + 1 qt Lightweight ATF

The above will produce a 65% Racing mixture having a normal viscosity (7.5 cSt @ 100º C).

For any subsequent refills (If you choose to do any additional refills in the future), you should use 1 quart D4 + 1 quart Racing ATF + 1 quart Lightweight ATF. This will indefinitely maintain a 65% Racing mixture having a normal viscosity.

UTAH TSX

I actually use Amsoil racing, fluid pretty much the same thing, straight not mixed at all and I have no issues just much firmer shifting

boki_cu2

Amsoil racing, which one? theres two types they list for tsx.

t3hhcaptain

Tomato, tomahto.

alexb92

The Lightweight ATF is the same as Type F, just flows better.

t3hhcaptain

I did a 3 quart drain and refill this weekend.

So far I haven't noticed a big difference, though it maybe shifts slightly faster. It does feel a little different as in less hesitant and honestly I think it feels a little smoother, but that could be from just having new fluid too.

I plan on doing another 3 quarts this coming weekend.

If the other forums are accurate then I should notice a difference with this next drain and fill.

Also, for the record, I only have a CAI. I wanted to get a mostly stock baseline before doing the PCD and custom exhaust this spring, then following up with a tune.

t3hhcaptain

I've been running the redline stuff for a couple weeks now. No problems.

Will do another drain and fill probably next weekend.

boki_cu2

Anyone running d4 or d6?

t3hhcaptain

I can't speak for the whole TSX community but there are many TL owners running D4, which is the OEM equivalent, but still with less friction modifiers. Through the research, the friction modifiers create slippage to provide a smooth feeling shift opposed to a firm shift. This reduces the power handling capabilities of the transmission.

As an update I did add another 2 quarts of lightweight racing and 1 quart racing ATF this weekend. Much firmer. Very quick shifts. My transmission used to (the only way I can describe it) hesitate between gears. A lot of that went away with the first racing fill up. At this point the shift completes seemingly instantly. There is no mid-shift feeling, where it feels like the car is losing power, or dips down, or whatever words would best describe what I'm talking about. It just has a very nice, solid, faster shift. I drive about 60 miles a day, so I'll continue to provide updates good or bad or unchanged. At this point I suspect no changes. Future drain and fills will be using 1qt D4, 1qt lightweight, 1qt racing.

My only complaint from the new transmission feel is that the engine's lack of mods is much more apparent. The tranny feels great. The engine feels like a turd!

boki_cu2

Thank you for that. Might give d4 a try.

xtcnrice

Awesome review, will definitely consider once the time is right!

boki_cu2

When will be right time?? which one will you go for?

t3hhcaptain

Yeah?? When??? The time is always now!

On a side note, I've only been running this new mixture for about 5 days. That's about 300 miles for me in that time. I don't suspect I'll have any issues given the results of other users, but the research field has taught me to respect large base sizes.

The thing that I find most impressive is cold starts. I always wait for the engine to exit choke before driving, but that usually still means a cold transmission which means clunky feel and typically a slow first 1-2 shift. That is gone on this fluid. Honestly, the transmission feels more solid with the new fluid cocktail. It is by no means a clear, night and day, "oh man, that feels crazy different" transition. It might be if you just jump right up to the point I'm at, but it definitely has an overall better feel. There is almost 0 pause between gears, at any throttle amount. It used to be at about 1/3-1/2 throttle it would feel pretty good and shift quicker, but just putting around town there was a noticeable pause. That is gone.

xtcnrice

When? I guess when it's time for an ATF flush . I don't have much desire to switch it out ASAP to be honest, but when time comes from either number of clicks or the MID, I'll probably give this a shot

t3hhcaptain

It's easier than an oil change.

ezland00

Here is my experience with red line 30304 racing automatic transmission fluid. back in 2010 I did 3x3, immediately on the test run, i notice the tranny will stay in the 2nd and 3rd gear longer before it shifts out to next gear. I also feel like the tranny run hotter after using Redline fluid. i am not sure why and i don't if it will hurt the tranny in the long run. back then Honda only carries Z1, which to my understand is the cause of most tranny failures. i think a year or two later, DW1 came out. so i changed it back to OEM. Everything run fine no shudder or any sign of tranny issue.

Just sharing my experience.

JasonK

I use red line in mine. No problems so far and tranny seems better then what it was. I mostly got it for the torque converter. No more shudders.

t3hhcaptain

How did you perform the 3x3?

Did you use a mixture of fluid or just the 30304?

What percentage of 30304 to non-30304 were you using?

How did you determine the transmission was running hotter?

xtcnrice

+1 as I'm curious as well

boki_cu2

x2

t3hhcaptain

Still no issues. Still running great. Still very smooth. Still shifting quicker.

Totally satisfied.

Edit: Also, I've got about 1,000 miles with the fluid in.

ksawant

@t3hhcaptain - Any further update will be appreciated. I am planning on doing 3x3 soon. So just wondering if it is worth going with redline?

t3hhcaptain

I'm at 126xxx. Still no issues, still feels like a firmer, more confident shift than before. I am considering doing two parts lightweight and one part D4 the next time I drain and fill. The regular racing fluid can be a bit thick when it's cold.

ksawant

Thanks for the quick reply! I am planning to do 2 qt Racing ATF + 1 qt Lightweight ATF next weekend and other 2 D&R when time permits. I am currently running honda DW1.

t3hhcaptain

I know some of the TL guys experienced some rev flares when changing gears using 100% racing fluid. They later came back and said optimal for them was 1 part D4 and 2 parts racing.

There is a guy here with a TSX using 100% racing fluid who says it works great.

Just be prepared to need to add some D4 and drain some of the racing fluid if you experience issues.

t3hhcaptain

Update:

I didn't change the transmission fluid along with my oil a couple weeks ago. Under extremely light throttle (like the bare minimum requirement for the car to move forward) the torque converter had a moderate shudder shifting from 3rd to 4th around 35mph. More throttle or no throttle both made it stop. I decided to add some concentrated friction modifiers to the transmission fluid and that stopped the shudder. Yesterday I had a fluid exchange performed and put the Honda DW-1 back in.

My speculation is that 1 part d4 + 2 parts racing fluid every time you change the oil probably lasts just long enough for you to do it about every ~10k. If you have a higher power output then it is probably also fine.

Ultimately, unless you are going turbo/sc there is really not much gain to be had by using fluid with no or less friction modifiers. It seems true that with less friction modifiers the transmission does shift quicker, and it is my understanding that a firm shift = less wear, and a smooth shift = increased wear. There is a little more time between shifts with the DW-1 as is to be expected.

With this being my daily driver and weekend warrior car I'll be sticking with the DW-1 unless I eventually go S/C.

Tsx780

Amsoil ATF is fine. I did a flush so got 90% of new fluid in there.