a518 atf+4 or other?

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Re: a518 atf+4 or other?

Postby Sutter1stgen » Sat Jul 12, 2014 7:56 am

My boss's hunting rig has a suncoast "off the shelf unit". The truck has a huge ATF cooling system, and we ran out of ATF+4, so we topped it off with John Deere hygaurd. I'd say we put a little over a gallon in when we were finished. One thing I've noticed is that for as heavy as the rig, and running larger tire, the Trans seems to run a little cooler. May just be my imagination though. Lol
Eric

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Re: a518 atf+4 or other?

Postby BC847 » Sat Jul 12, 2014 9:55 am

IrishChamp wrote:anyone have any first hand experience with a tight converter and hydraulic oil?

I run an "off the shelf" Suncoast converter that I ended up having them tighten up even more (I can't remember if I had it tightened once or twice now :? ). The transmission itself amounts to an A518/48RE hybrid that includes all 6-pinion all steel planets, all billet/alloy shafts, increased clutch/steel counts, etc.
With the exception of an add-on fluid filter, the ATF cooling system is stock/OEM and includes a fan assisted (thermostatically controlled) cooler. I do have a manual ball-valve on the engine coolant side of the F2F heat exchanger so I can keep the fluid as cool as is possible when racing (thicker fluid) yet still be able to heat the fluid during the winter.

I run cheap generic tractor fluid with a couple of quarts of cheap ATF+4 for the additives.

With a 800 ~ 900 rpm idle (in gear), you certainly do have to hold the brakes on level ground.

Works like a champ. :D
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Re: a518 atf+4 or other?

Postby IrishChamp » Sat Jul 12, 2014 10:05 am

thanks for the input. I've never driven a lockup but I do kind of regret not building a lockup trans instead, anyway, no big deal.
I'm definitely going to try some hydraulic oil when I add the new pan.

cmann250 wrote:I have an off-the-shelf Suncoast converter and I use hydraulic oil in my transmission. I originally used regular ATF because that's what I had on hand and I changed to hydraulic oil when I put on a deep pan. I'm assuming that an off-the-shelf Spec Rite is more or less the same as an off-the-shelf Suncoast converter. After the switch, the seat of the pants dyno says it pulls harder.

All I can say is it works for me. There's still no mistaking it for a lock-up trans though.
1993 W250, 115k miles, pump turned up, M&H Timing Spacer, built a518 w/ steel stator spec rite, he351ve, 16" steel wheels, 255/85r16 BFG Km2's
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Re: a518 atf+4 or other?

Postby IrishChamp » Sat Jul 12, 2014 10:09 am

so 1 gallon is about 1/3rd of the total fluid?
thanks
Sutter1stgen wrote:My boss's hunting rig has a suncoast "off the shelf unit". The truck has a huge ATF cooling system, and we ran out of ATF+4, so we topped it off with John Deere hygaurd. I'd say we put a little over a gallon in when we were finished. One thing I've noticed is that for as heavy as the rig, and running larger tire, the Trans seems to run a little cooler. May just be my imagination though. Lol
Last edited by IrishChamp on Sat Jul 12, 2014 10:20 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: a518 atf+4 or other?

Postby IrishChamp » Sat Jul 12, 2014 10:19 am

my spec rite is supposed to be 93% efficient, not really sure what that means :D
sounds like my trans is a budget version of yours. the two front planets were upgraded to steel 4 pinion, the rear was left alone I think (3 or 4 pinion aluminum I believe, I wish I had upgraded it too but the builder said it wasn't necessary)
I have extra steels and clutches in all gears as well.
I wish I had built a lockup but my trans works pretty well I think, much tighter than stock. I have my unloaded Neutral idle at about 900-950 rpm, in D with ac on it lowers to 800.
my truck moves along pretty fast idling in D, I want to say about 10-15 mph in 1st and 25 mph in 2nd. definitely have to hold the brake down to stay still.
Definitely sounds like id be ok to run 50%-75% hydraulic fluid in my transmission, sound about right?

EDIT: I have to cooler on the drivers side in front of the rear wheel, do you happen to know at what temperature the fan turns on, its been running while I drive if its hot out and for a little bit after I turn off the truck.

BC847 wrote:
IrishChamp wrote:anyone have any first hand experience with a tight converter and hydraulic oil?

I run an "off the shelf" Suncoast converter that I ended up having them tighten up even more (I can't remember if I had it tightened once or twice now :? ). The transmission itself amounts to an A518/48RE hybrid that includes all 6-pinion all steel planets, all billet/alloy shafts, increased clutch/steel counts, etc.
With the exception of an add-on fluid filter, the ATF cooling system is stock/OEM and includes a fan assisted (thermostatically controlled) cooler. I do have a manual ball-valve on the engine coolant side of the F2F heat exchanger so I can keep the fluid as cool as is possible when racing (thicker fluid) yet still be able to heat the fluid during the winter.

I run cheap generic tractor fluid with a couple of quarts of cheap ATF+4 for the additives.

With a 800 ~ 900 rpm idle (in gear), you certainly do have to hold the brakes on level ground.

Works like a champ. :D
1993 W250, 115k miles, pump turned up, M&H Timing Spacer, built a518 w/ steel stator spec rite, he351ve, 16" steel wheels, 255/85r16 BFG Km2's
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Re: a518 atf+4 or other?

Postby Sutter1stgen » Sat Jul 12, 2014 10:36 am

We were told by the local napa it was a 12 quart system. Well when we ran out of our 12 quarts we topped it off with hygaurd we had in our 55 gallon drum. If memory serves me.
Eric

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Re: a518 atf+4 or other?

Postby 1STGENFARMBOY » Tue Jul 15, 2014 1:30 pm

I will certainly be draining out my ATF+4 and filling with high/trans before I go camping or hauling heavy.
93 W250 STD CAB, AUTO 3.55, GAUGES, 80HP DDP STICKS, DENNY T ,16CM HOUSING, 60MM GILLETT, VE MAXED,BHAF, BHFF, 366 SPRING,P/S INTERCOOLER, TIMS COOLER TUBS, TIMMING 1/8 BUMP,4in TURBO BACK TO DUEL 5IN STACKS,33 12.50 BFG, HOLLEY BLACK, CONVERTER COOMING.
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Re: a518 atf+4 or other?

Postby Diesel » Sun Aug 10, 2014 8:43 pm

Heres a vote for any ATF +4 and a quart of the thick Lucas "stop leak" or something like that. I have been using this combination on Mopar transmissions since around 1999 (except I think back then it was ATF +3). The Lucas is thick, and will raise line pressure, and you still run the ATF+4 which is actually a very advanced full synthetic ATF. I cannot say anything bad about the tractor fluid as I have never run it and it may have all the properties I create with my mix (and may be even better).
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Re: a518 atf+4 or other?

Postby rpmgarage » Sun Aug 17, 2014 1:17 pm

When I installed the B&M deep pan, I replaced all the fluid that came out (plus, the"4 additional quarts" that the deep pan provides) with 1 quart of Lucas Stops Slip and the remainder with Traveller Universal Tractor Hydraulic Fluid from Tractor Supply.

The converter DEFINITELY tightened up and my shifts are noticeably firmer. It shifts more consistently, too. BUT, I tightened the bands and fiddled with the line pressure adjustments, as well. I think the total package was worth it, although I can't tell you which single change made the most difference.

I also picked up 0.7 mpg, from the previous tank...right at 21.5 mpg.

Don't recall if anyone mentioned it, but if you use hydraulic fluid designed for "wet brake systems", you will get almost the same "additives" that ATF+4 offers...maybe even a better set of "friction enhancers"...or hype in a bottle if you would rather see it that way...
1991.5 D250 Reg cab, shortened to 1/2 ton WB, 175K, 2" drop shackles and overload removed in rear w/van lower control arms in front, A518 w/capacitor "fix" for TPS, play pen, star wheel 1 1/4 turns, 4" open exhaust, KDP fix, air box modded with BHAF, B&M extra deep trans pan w/ Moroso gasket and tractor hydraulic oil, B&M diff cover, mostly happy owner...
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Re: a518 atf+4 or other?

Postby IrishChamp » Mon Sep 29, 2014 3:00 pm

Bringing my thread back to life here guys with a couple questions.
I'm planning on putting the Derale Performance Tansmission Pan on tomorrow. It's 4.5" deep.
So.
First off, I want to confirm that mixing ATF+4 (which is full synthetic I believe) with Hydraulic Fluid is ok? I don't know if Hydraulic Fluid is Synthetic and from what I've always been told mixing Synthetics and non Synthetics in not advised.

2) If I drop the pan but don't flush the transmission how much fluid should I need to add to replace what comes out plus the extra that the Derale Pan will hold?

3) what filter is the favorite around here for the a518? I usually get my filters at Napa, can I just give them the model/Year and use what they sell me?
thanks!
1993 W250, 115k miles, pump turned up, M&H Timing Spacer, built a518 w/ steel stator spec rite, he351ve, 16" steel wheels, 255/85r16 BFG Km2's
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Re: a518 atf+4 or other?

Postby oldestof11 » Mon Sep 29, 2014 3:44 pm

1) I have mine mixed
2) 8-10 qts I believe
3) I use Napa
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Re: a518 atf+4 or other?

Postby 1STGENFARMBOY » Mon Sep 29, 2014 5:29 pm

I changed my fluid a couple weeks ago to the equivalent of the John Deere stuff, I pulled the line and let it pump out all that would come out before draining it, just got back from 1,600 miles in the mountains with the camper on the truck, the temps stayed low (but) I also have a deep pan and a huge cooling system, didn't really notice any change in the shifting or converter.
93 W250 STD CAB, AUTO 3.55, GAUGES, 80HP DDP STICKS, DENNY T ,16CM HOUSING, 60MM GILLETT, VE MAXED,BHAF, BHFF, 366 SPRING,P/S INTERCOOLER, TIMS COOLER TUBS, TIMMING 1/8 BUMP,4in TURBO BACK TO DUEL 5IN STACKS,33 12.50 BFG, HOLLEY BLACK, CONVERTER COOMING.
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Re: a518 atf+4 or other?

Postby IrishChamp » Mon Sep 29, 2014 9:46 pm

I appreciate the info.

oldestof11 wrote:1) I have mine mixed
2) 8-10 qts I believe
3) I use Napa
1993 W250, 115k miles, pump turned up, M&H Timing Spacer, built a518 w/ steel stator spec rite, he351ve, 16" steel wheels, 255/85r16 BFG Km2's
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Re: a518 atf+4 or other?

Postby IrishChamp » Mon Sep 29, 2014 9:47 pm

you pulled one of the cooler lines? does it pump out running in neutral or off?
thanks
1STGENFARMBOY wrote:I changed my fluid a couple weeks ago to the equivalent of the John Deere stuff, I pulled the line and let it pump out all that would come out before draining it, just got back from 1,600 miles in the mountains with the camper on the truck, the temps stayed low (but) I also have a deep pan and a huge cooling system, didn't really notice any change in the shifting or converter.
1993 W250, 115k miles, pump turned up, M&H Timing Spacer, built a518 w/ steel stator spec rite, he351ve, 16" steel wheels, 255/85r16 BFG Km2's
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Re: a518 atf+4 or other?

Postby IrishChamp » Tue Sep 30, 2014 3:40 pm

Quick question: which I gasket should I use? The pan came with a paper gasket, the new filter came with a rubber gasket and then there's the one on there, I'm assuming it's still the oem or a generic replacment from the trans rebuild a couple yers ago. Image
1993 W250, 115k miles, pump turned up, M&H Timing Spacer, built a518 w/ steel stator spec rite, he351ve, 16" steel wheels, 255/85r16 BFG Km2's
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