Transmission Fluid for a 93 Viper

Steve-Indy

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SORRY, viperdude1, but the factory fill for 1993 Viper was Dexron II-E (not "ATF 3")...as noted in the 1993 Viper Service Manual....see below from this old thread:

http://vca2.viperclub.org/forums/showthreaded.php?Cat=&Board=UBB14&Number=462126&page=&view=&sb=5&o=&vc=1

...noting some of the discussion went as follows...

Steve-Indy (self-admittedly a non-expert) posted:

"For the Tranny: Dexton II-E (later replaced by Dexton III in 1997)...and, while the Neutral Gear Rattle TSB in 1998, suggested the change to Mopar Synthetic Manual Transmission Lube 75W/85...this was cleared for 1994 and NEWER Vipers...which raised a question about the seals in the 92-93 models ( as investigated by Ron, our Tech Dir.)...worrisome OBVIOUS exclusion in the TSB, at least in the minds of a few. Therefore, if your tranny is original, I PERSONALLY would use Dexron III as I do in our 95 and 96 RT/10's.

Then Tom, F&L GoR (a REAL EXPERT) posted"

"Recommended transmission fluid was Dexron IIE, then III, then the light gear fluid in 75W-85. Guys! I'll take this example to show it's the additives that matter, not the base oil or type!! Yes, it's a little quieter with the gear oil in it, but all the friction, wear, oxidation control, cleanliness, etc are delivered by the additives rather than the base oil. Yup, mineral ATF works as well as synthetic gear oil (excluding NGR) in this case. OK, off my soap box... And there was no supplemental additive for transmissions."

And Steve-Indy followed with another post citing Ron's investigative efforts on the early T-56 trannies:

"By the way, Dan (and anyone else who may have SOME SLIGHT interest and/or concerns as to why the 1992 and 1993 Vipers were NOT specifically covered in the NGR TSB from 4/3/98, you might want to read this old thread posted here in 2003 ... especially the part by "Ron"....as, by my recollection, Ron TRACKED DOWN old employees from Borg Warner in his ENDLESS quest for the correct answers. This link presented ONLY in the interest of "science"...NO FLAMES aimed at anyone:

http://vca2.viperclub.org/forums/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB14&Number=253142&page=2&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1

Is this another urban legend??? I SURE can't tell...but, as stated above, Dexron III works well in Gen I Vipers, in my opinion."

----------------------------------------------
CLEARLY, there was NO REAL RESOLUTION to this particular issue...but, I have to ask...WHY DEVIATE from the recommended fluid???

HOPE THIS HELPS...but, ultimately, one needs to make one's OWN decision...via "risk vs. benefit analysis".
 

JiPi

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So if you have neutral gear rattle, you can change to Mopar Synthetic Manual Transmission Lube part #4874459. Otherwise you can stay with Dexron III. Right?
What's the part # for Mopar DexronIII?
Thank You!
 

Steve-Indy

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JiPi...for a 96 Viper YES...but for a 92 or 93 the question seems to be open, with at least a small degree worry present ( certainly in MY mind) as I outlined above. Please note that Dodge did NOT recommend switching to the Mopar Synthetic Manual Transmission Lube with a 92 or 93 Viper in the NGR TSB quoted in one of the above links...was that because of a REAL REASON or just an oversight??? I'll bet that we will never know for sure.

I apologize to all for being so tedious on this issue, but feel that it is important to try to stick with the specific recommendations for a given model unless one has a valid reason to change and/or assumes the risk of experimentation knowingly and willingly. This is especially important for the newer owners in my opinion, and mandatory if indeed a new owner has recently purchased a NEW 1992 or 1993 Viper from a dealer's showroom that is therefore still under warranty (just saw one of these cars this spring that started an "in service" date of Feb. 2005 !!!!).

Again, this is intended as info and not dogma. It would be interesting (and valuable) to gather a list of 92 and 93 Vipers that made the switch to the synthetic fluid and hear/see the results of same.

Mopar part number for " Mopar Dexron-III Automatic Transmission Fluid" is "P/N 04773590".
 

kARLUG

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I have been using the synthetic fluid for about 7,000 miles and no problems. It was the recommended fill from my local Viper Tech.
 

Ron

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Early Vipers (92 ~ 93) had non-compatible (with synthetic fluid) syncro fiction material. Best to stay with factory recommendations there.
 
R

RTED

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I switched to Amsoil synthetic gear lube at 5200 miles replacing the factory ATF. Just about to crack 21,000 miles...smoother shifts, no problems. You will notice a more difficult shift from 1st to 2nd in colder weather until the trans warms up a bit. Synthetic gear lube is the way to go!
 

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