Upgrading Rear Diff Fluid - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Cooks ZL1 · 09-26-2014, 05:52 AM

I am currently around d 4 miles and starting to do my first round of mods. Since the car will be tracked often I want to change the rear diff gear oil to something that will be an upgrade over oem.

Has anyone changed theirs with something like amsoil, redline, lucas?

Stephen12ZL1 · 09-26-2014, 06:37 AM

For the ZL1, the clutch packs in the differential are very aggressive. Stick with the OEM fluid or chattering and noise can occur. I tried Royal Purple briefly to find that the clutch packs started chattering around slow turns and went back to the OEM fluid and all of my problems were gone. As per the owner's manual, the differential fluid must be changed after a few sessions on the track. The owner's manual says how many hours on the track specifically.

Z/28Dan · 09-26-2014, 06:47 AM

I track my ZL1 and change the rear diff fluid with OEM. Never had problem.

jayno20 · 09-26-2014, 02:09 PM

Literally just changed mine, used stock stuff and a hand pump. Took longer to jack the car up than to change the fluid. I'd stick with the stock stuff, GM wouldn't put it in there if it didn't work well with the car.

charlietuna · 09-27-2014, 03:22 PM

use GM spec diff fluid. I change mine after I have completed two HPDE events.

JDP Sales · 09-27-2014, 04:06 PM

GM fluid is good, but I feel the Driven/JGR is a better option and also less expensive. We've been using it in a lot of our race applications and it's working out great and gears are staying quiet.

Driven Racing Oil - Limited Slip Gear Oil 75W90 Quart - Part # 04230

Designed using the latest synthetic oil technology to provide consistent limited slip differential performance, the 75W90 gear oil is ideal for both clutch type and torsion type differentials. This competition proven formulation utilizes a proprietary additive package that reduces drag, resists foaming, and maintains its viscosity under extreme heat and high loads. It delivers outstanding performance in extreme environments like autocross, off-road trucks, UTVs, track day cars, and race vehicles. Exceeds the performance requirements of API GL-5. Recommended for limited slip differential applications. Viscosity typical of 75W90.
Product Features:

Reduce operating temperatures by more than 15 degrees Fahrenheit
Friction Reducing Additives
Shear stable viscosity

Feel free to call, PM or email me anytime with questions.

Best regards,

Tyler
888-308-6007

ZO6 Bryan · 09-27-2014, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vicster

I have searched the web and even Mobil 1 is not recommending their fluid for the ZL1 diffs. I have changed mine twice with OEM fluid, I only have 10k on the car. First change @ 5k the fluid was nasty, 2nd time was much better.

Where did that info come from? I don't think Mobil 1 mentions a ZL1 specifically anywhere in their product data.

Andy-AMSOIL · 09-27-2014, 05:07 PM

I have many customers that use our severegear fluid with great results. Maybe some of them can post their thoughts

Paladinjc · 09-27-2014, 09:07 PM

RPM performance put Royal Purple in my diff, I hear no noises coming from the rear and have no complaints.

CRTZL1 · 09-28-2014, 12:56 AM

Stick with the oem differential fluid. There's No need to even bother with other stuff, not to mention noises and chatter.....

Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk

KKM · 09-28-2014, 08:54 PM

Changed the rear at 1500 miles. Amsoil and GM lim slip. Now at 4500 mi and all is good. Not a sound from the rear. Amsoil is in everything I own. 230K on one of my diesel trucks. Engine and drive train are in great cond. Change the Mobil after two track days and I think you will be fine.
Kevin

gblaue · 09-29-2014, 06:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vicster

I have searched the web and even Mobil 1 is not recommending their fluid for the ZL1 diffs. I have changed mine twice with OEM fluid, I only have 10k on the car. First change @ 5k the fluid was nasty, 2nd time was much better.

Yep, I tried Mobil1. It groaned and chattered. I went back to the stock GM. Problem solved.

Cooks ZL1 · 09-29-2014, 06:45 AM

Seems like most people are sticking with the oem fluid. Does anyone k ow how much fluid the rear takes?

Thank you for your input everyone.

ZMEnow · 09-29-2014, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cooks ZL1

Seems like most people are sticking with the oem fluid. Does anyone k ow how much fluid the rear takes?

Thank you for your input everyone.

2.1 qt page 12-3 of the owners manual..

09-26-2014, 05:52 AM	#1
Cooks ZL1 Drives: 13 Camaro ZL1 Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Maryland Posts: 145	Upgrading Rear Diff Fluid I am currently around d 4 miles and starting to do my first round of mods. Since the car will be tracked often I want to change the rear diff gear oil to something that will be an upgrade over oem. Has anyone changed theirs with something like amsoil, redline, lucas?

09-26-2014, 06:37 AM	#2
Stephen12ZL1 Drives: '21 ZLE A10 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Mechanicsville, VA Posts: 6,808	For the ZL1, the clutch packs in the differential are very aggressive. Stick with the OEM fluid or chattering and noise can occur. I tried Royal Purple briefly to find that the clutch packs started chattering around slow turns and went back to the OEM fluid and all of my problems were gone. As per the owner's manual, the differential fluid must be changed after a few sessions on the track. The owner's manual says how many hours on the track specifically. __________________ '21 ZLE A10 Wild Cherry PDR 2:00.78 VIR Full 10.68@131.69 1.68 60' '17 ZL1 A10 Mosaic Black PDR/Nav 2:03.08 VIR Full 11.003@129.2 1.75 (sold) '15 Z/28 #325 Black a/c & stereo. 2:10.1 VIR Full (sold) '12 ZL1 A6 Black 10.52@131 1.55 60' 2:13 VIR Full (sold)

09-26-2014, 06:47 AM	#3
Z/28Dan Drives: 2013 HWSE Indy Festial #26 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Fredericksburg, VA Posts: 2,670 View My Garage	I track my ZL1 and change the rear diff fluid with OEM. Never had problem. __________________ There are only so many days in your lifetime. So get out and drive your Camaro... Dan

09-27-2014, 03:22 PM	#5
charlietuna Drives: 2013 ZL1 Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 1,342 View My Garage	use GM spec diff fluid. I change mine after I have completed two HPDE events. __________________ Laus Deo

09-27-2014, 04:06 PM	#6
JDP Sales Drives: Chevys at the limit Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: SLC, UT Posts: 9,621	GM fluid is good, but I feel the Driven/JGR is a better option and also less expensive. We've been using it in a lot of our race applications and it's working out great and gears are staying quiet. Driven Racing Oil - Limited Slip Gear Oil 75W90 Quart - Part # 04230 Designed using the latest synthetic oil technology to provide consistent limited slip differential performance, the 75W90 gear oil is ideal for both clutch type and torsion type differentials. This competition proven formulation utilizes a proprietary additive package that reduces drag, resists foaming, and maintains its viscosity under extreme heat and high loads. It delivers outstanding performance in extreme environments like autocross, off-road trucks, UTVs, track day cars, and race vehicles. Exceeds the performance requirements of API GL-5. Recommended for limited slip differential applications. Viscosity typical of 75W90. Product Features: Reduce operating temperatures by more than 15 degrees Fahrenheit Friction Reducing Additives Shear stable viscosity Feel free to call, PM or email me anytime with questions. Best regards, Tyler 888-308-6007

09-26-2014, 02:09 PM	#4
jayno20 Go fast, please. Drives: 2019 Corvette ZR1 Join Date: May 2014 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 2,471 View My Garage	Literally just changed mine, used stock stuff and a hand pump. Took longer to jack the car up than to change the fluid. I'd stick with the stock stuff, GM wouldn't put it in there if it didn't work well with the car.

09-27-2014, 05:07 PM	#8
Andy-AMSOIL Drives: bicycle Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Digging for oil Posts: 375	I have many customers that use our severegear fluid with great results. Maybe some of them can post their thoughts

09-27-2014, 09:07 PM	#9
Paladinjc AC Pickles! Drives: 2014 Camaro ZL1 Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: North Carolina Posts: 331	RPM performance put Royal Purple in my diff, I hear no noises coming from the rear and have no complaints.

09-28-2014, 12:56 AM	#10
CRTZL1 Banned Drives: 2013 CRT ZL1 Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: N.Y. Posts: 1,545	Stick with the oem differential fluid. There's No need to even bother with other stuff, not to mention noises and chatter..... Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk Last edited by CRTZL1; 09-29-2014 at 12:09 AM.

09-28-2014, 08:54 PM	#11
KKM Drives: xx Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Carson City NV Posts: 36	Changed the rear at 1500 miles. Amsoil and GM lim slip. Now at 4500 mi and all is good. Not a sound from the rear. Amsoil is in everything I own. 230K on one of my diesel trucks. Engine and drive train are in great cond. Change the Mobil after two track days and I think you will be fine. Kevin __________________ 2014 ZL1 , White , 6sp , Recaro Seats , Carbon Hood , Mico Fiber , Nav ect. 2009 Aprilia RSVR 1000 2012 KTM 990R ADV 2013 KTM 500XCW

09-29-2014, 06:45 AM	#13
Cooks ZL1 Drives: 13 Camaro ZL1 Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Maryland Posts: 145	Seems like most people are sticking with the oem fluid. Does anyone k ow how much fluid the rear takes? Thank you for your input everyone.