Type F fluid and soft shifts
 

I recently switched to an ATI converter and in their instructions they require a type F fluid that is red in color. Prior I was running a TCI converter with a lower stall and the TCI green fluid and had a very firm shift. With the ATI with a slightly higher stall the shifts are not crisp at all. I am wondering if this could be due to the Type F fluid I am running or due to the higher stall or possibly a combination of them both.
I would like to try a different fluid to see if I can get a crisp shift again.
Any recommendations on which brand(s) of Type F that are red in color that work the best?
Thanks
Chad

Re: Type F fluid and soft shifts
 

Chad,

you may receive as many opinions as if you ask about motor oil :)

My experience is this, the trans shift "should" be fine with any fluid. I have run type "F", Dexron, hydraulic fluid, and "race fluids" and seen no significant difference in any of them. (we are talking about medium horse power, foot brake applications)

These days I run Dexron/Mercon type lll because it is easily available and performs fine for the above mentioned application.

I suspect your "less than firm shift" is not fluid related.

Re: Type F fluid and soft shifts
 

I've run type F in my Mopar since I built it and never had a problem.

At a Nss race in LA (lower Alabama) I had to use Wal Mart off the shelf atf and still got crisp shifts.

Talk to your converter guys and see what they have to say.

JimR

Re: Type F fluid and soft shifts
 

i doubt the fluid has anything to do with it, it should actually shift harder with type f as
it has almost no friction modifier in it.

Re: Type F fluid and soft shifts
 

I was told early on that the type F holds up better under higher temperatures.

Re: Type F fluid and soft shifts
 

Chad, all of the above suggestions are right on, your shift feeling has nothing to do with the Fluid, that is if you have enough Fluid in the tranny!:cool:

Re: Type F fluid and soft shifts
 

Strange, I talked to ATI last year about my set up, ATI TH400 and ATI converter (foot brake) and was told to use Dexron III fluid. I mentionned I had been using Ford FA , with no issues and they said switch to the Dexron III. Just shows ask 2 or 3 people and get 2 or 3 different responses.

Re: Type F fluid and soft shifts
 

Just to add to "the mix".

I use type FA with a bottle of lucas.

Re: Type F fluid and soft shifts
 

This may be a stupid question..... but what the heck is type FA? I've heard of all the others but never FA. Is it an improved version of typeF? Joe After some more thought....what difference would the fluid type make for a different brand converter, you still have the same trans, correct? I doubt the converter would care what fluids in it.JMO

Re: Type F fluid and soft shifts
 

Chad,
Its very possible that by installing a converter with a higher stahl means that the converter is possibly flashing at a higher rpm, What that could cause if your running a three speed auto trans is that the 1-2 shift dropback rpm could be causing you to still be in the converter when the shift is made thus resulting in a poor shift and a loss in ET, Im just throwing this out there for something to think about, Im sure any converter guy could put this in better perspective than me but thats the first thing that came to my mind when you said a converter with a higher stahl caused it. Doubt it would be caused by Fluid...


Bob Aceves
#746 E/SA
A&M motorsports