Who uses what ATF and why??

7423 · 05-19-2014, 09:15 PM

"Old school" claims a Ford takes type F, GM uses Dextron, Mopar uses I have no idea. Why the different types or grades? What is the difference between them? Low power 3400lbs 5.0L EFI Ford, old school C4, 2.91 lo gear, 10" convertor, 4500 flash. What should be used in that combo?? Your thoughts please.

partsbob67 · 05-19-2014, 09:44 PM

I use mercon v. it's what my trans guy said to use. tore it down last year after 3 or 4 seasons on it and everything looked good inside. I don't think he replaced anything.

GTX JOHN · 05-20-2014, 06:46 AM

Protrans told me Type F...................I believe higher friction coefficient.
Usually cheaper too......$3.49 at my Walmart.

Mike Pearson · 05-20-2014, 07:42 AM

Using type F in my powerglide now but have used dexron and synthetic before. No difference in performance or reliability with any of the different types of fluid. Having the pump pressure correct is the key to longevity at least with the powerglide.

1320racer · 05-20-2014, 07:59 AM

Synthetic trans fluid runs cooler. If it's type F you want, ATI sells synthetic type F.

Lou Jeffery · 05-20-2014, 09:03 AM

We advise our customers to use ANY brand ATF that is red in a race transmission. However in normal production vehicles the type of fluid can be a big deal.

njk53 · 05-20-2014, 09:16 AM

I believe the different transmission fluids have different friction modifiers (different coefficients of friction), different anti-corrosive and anti-foaming agents among other things. The friction modifiers to a certain extent dictates how hard or soft you want the clutches in the clutch pack to grab. GM now has DEXTRON 6 but, I don't know anything about the friction modifiers. I do know that DEX 6 is not compatable with some of the older design rubber seals.

We have a Coan transmission and were told to use Ford type F in a GM
TH350.

Myron Piatek · 05-20-2014, 11:38 AM

I've been using Amsoil SuperShift for years. It has enhanced Type F frictional properties and is synthetic as well. Synthetics hold up better against heat which is especially helpful during hot-lapping and/or being up on the converter for any length of time - footbrake, 2-step and/or trans brake. JW does my 904's and they've said wear rates on moving parts has been excellent.

Kenny Wigington · 05-20-2014, 01:03 PM

X2 on the Amsoil trans fluid . 4 yrs later Paul did very very little to mine on last freshen up.

Tim H · 05-20-2014, 07:45 PM

Type F as recommended by my tranny builder. (TH 400 BB Chevy)

05-19-2014, 09:15 PM	#1
7423 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 639 Likes: 0 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	Who uses what ATF and why?? "Old school" claims a Ford takes type F, GM uses Dextron, Mopar uses I have no idea. Why the different types or grades? What is the difference between them? Low power 3400lbs 5.0L EFI Ford, old school C4, 2.91 lo gear, 10" convertor, 4500 flash. What should be used in that combo?? Your thoughts please.

05-19-2014, 09:44 PM	#2
partsbob67 Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: rohnert park,ca Posts: 414 Likes: 11 Liked 79 Times in 11 Posts	Re: Who uses what ATF and why?? I use mercon v. it's what my trans guy said to use. tore it down last year after 3 or 4 seasons on it and everything looked good inside. I don't think he replaced anything. __________________ bob beals 7244

05-20-2014, 06:46 AM	#3
GTX JOHN VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Boulder City, Nevada 89005 Posts: 2,730 Likes: 2,790 Liked 2,469 Times in 695 Posts	Re: Who uses what ATF and why?? Protrans told me Type F...................I believe higher friction coefficient. Usually cheaper too......$3.49 at my Walmart. __________________ John Irving 741 Stock 741 Super Stock

05-20-2014, 07:42 AM	#4
Mike Pearson VIP Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 2,443 Likes: 613 Liked 1,916 Times in 574 Posts	Re: Who uses what ATF and why?? Using type F in my powerglide now but have used dexron and synthetic before. No difference in performance or reliability with any of the different types of fluid. Having the pump pressure correct is the key to longevity at least with the powerglide. __________________ Mike Pearson 2485 SS

05-20-2014, 07:59 AM	#5
1320racer VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: New Jersey Posts: 2,628 Likes: 160 Liked 759 Times in 379 Posts	Re: Who uses what ATF and why?? Synthetic trans fluid runs cooler. If it's type F you want, ATI sells synthetic type F.

05-20-2014, 09:03 AM	#6
Lou Jeffery Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 91 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Who uses what ATF and why?? We advise our customers to use ANY brand ATF that is red in a race transmission. However in normal production vehicles the type of fluid can be a big deal.

05-20-2014, 09:16 AM	#7
njk53 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: East China, MI Posts: 504 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Who uses what ATF and why?? I believe the different transmission fluids have different friction modifiers (different coefficients of friction), different anti-corrosive and anti-foaming agents among other things. The friction modifiers to a certain extent dictates how hard or soft you want the clutches in the clutch pack to grab. GM now has DEXTRON 6 but, I don't know anything about the friction modifiers. I do know that DEX 6 is not compatable with some of the older design rubber seals. We have a Coan transmission and were told to use Ford type F in a GM TH350. __________________ Nelson Kowal Stock 345 Last edited by njk53; 05-20-2014 at 09:19 AM.

05-20-2014, 11:38 AM	#8
Myron Piatek VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Florida Posts: 1,542 Likes: 34 Liked 138 Times in 51 Posts	Re: Who uses what ATF and why?? I've been using Amsoil SuperShift for years. It has enhanced Type F frictional properties and is synthetic as well. Synthetics hold up better against heat which is especially helpful during hot-lapping and/or being up on the converter for any length of time - footbrake, 2-step and/or trans brake. JW does my 904's and they've said wear rates on moving parts has been excellent. __________________ LOCOMOTION Racing

05-20-2014, 01:03 PM	#9
Kenny Wigington Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Cumming,Ga. USA Posts: 967 Likes: 36 Liked 60 Times in 12 Posts	Re: Who uses what ATF and why?? X2 on the Amsoil trans fluid . 4 yrs later Paul did very very little to mine on last freshen up. __________________ 2894 STK

05-20-2014, 07:45 PM	#10
Tim H VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 1,040 Likes: 1,068 Liked 481 Times in 158 Posts	Re: Who uses what ATF and why?? Type F as recommended by my tranny builder. (TH 400 BB Chevy)