what fluid? SP or LV? Built trans

Fordtrucks · Aug 17, 2014

What fluid y'all running in your built transmissions? Just got my Elite stage 4 with tow upgrade in and am ready to fill with oil. In 08 Ford ran the LV? Then switched to SP? In 09.. I may be backwards on that but you get the idea.. Not sure which to go with and of course Elite is closed today.

IHPowerstroke7.3 · Aug 17, 2014

Mercon LV replaced Mercon SP, don't believe you can buy Sp from motorcraft anymore.

HeavyAssault · Aug 17, 2014

I've gotten SP locally at O'Riellys. Just ask around for it.

CT9AIX · Aug 17, 2014

I've run lv since it came out in my built tranny and have had no issues

RNally · Aug 17, 2014

You can still by SP from dealers. Whatever they changed in LV I dont know, but I do know as soon as I've flushed a trans with LV and driven it, the fluids looks dirty already.

NathannialD · Aug 17, 2014

We always just run a quality dex/merc. Valvolene is my preference

Fordtrucks · Aug 18, 2014

Ok, read a lot of stuff online about the torque shift losing clutches shortly after switching from SP to LV. Being unsure of the clutch pack material and solenoids used in my Elite trans, I thought ide ask. Can I use about anything than? Im a full SYN kinda guy but not a trans expert... What clutches would I have in there? What's the best fluid? Im not worried about saving a buck..

Fordtrucks · Aug 18, 2014

Nathannial @ Elite said:
We always just run a quality dex/merc. Valvolene is my preference

Is the Valvolene dex merc a full syn?

Mark Kovalsky · Aug 18, 2014

Nathannial @ Elite said:
We always just run a quality dex/merc. Valvolene is my preference

Fordtrucks said:
Is the Valvolene dex merc a full syn?

I would NOT run a dex/merc in a TorqShift. The solenoids are not going to like that.

Fordtrucks · Aug 18, 2014

Interesting. Ide have thought that to. I just called Elite and was told to run Dexron 3 also. Wonder if someone can explain the reason behind this..

Stroked777 · Aug 18, 2014

I'm curious as well as what to run in a built trans.

White_monster · Aug 18, 2014

I've always ran dextron 3 in my built trans. Last trans went 4 years not an issue. New trans from elite hot the same non syn dextron 3. Tried a synthetic dextron 3 and was getting some slip and excess heat.

NathannialD · Aug 18, 2014

Mark Kovalsky said:
I would NOT run a dex/merc in a TorqShift. The solenoids are not going to like that.

been doing it this way for over 5 years.

V-Ref · Aug 19, 2014

Mark Kovalsky said:
I would NOT run a dex/merc in a TorqShift. The solenoids are not going to like that.

This guy's resume is hard to argue with regarding Ford transmissions

Stroked777 · Aug 19, 2014

V-Ref said:
This guy's resume is hard to argue with regarding Ford transmissions

Yeah in stock form. I don't think that he really know what's the best for custom clutch material, as opposed to someone that builds trans and knows what works for them

sootie · Aug 19, 2014

i run Valvoline dex/merc in my built trans

Mark Kovalsky · Aug 19, 2014

Stroked777 said:
Yeah in stock form. I don't think that he really know what's the best for custom clutch material, as opposed to someone that builds trans and knows what works for them

I didn't say anything at all about the clutch material. I agree that I don't know about the custom clutch material and if it is/is not compatible with any specific fluid.

Go back and read my post to see why I said I would not run anything other than MERCON SP or MERCON LV in a TorqShift.

Stroked777 · Aug 19, 2014

What's the reason the solenoid won't like dex/merc fluid?

V-Ref · Aug 19, 2014

Stroked777 said:
Yeah in stock form. I don't think that he really know what's the best for custom clutch material, as opposed to someone that builds trans and knows what works for them

Easy princess...."I think he really know" probably just a tish more about power transmission engineering than anyone posting in this thread. Just because it's been done....doesn't make it a good idea...but if it's what works for you...go for it!