I'm saying the 09 tranny is not the same as the 02 tranny. Is that clear enough for you?

Bingo.

ok but the gear 300 is full synth... hence my confusion.

'08 WRX. Temps here run 15*C~35*C. I've been running Redline 75W90 MT-90 for 50,000km and just started to get grinding going into second. I just changed the tranny fluid 10,000km ago.

I can get Redline shockproof and Shell Spirax 80W90 which it seems is an acceptable alternate to the Castrol.
Castrol Hypoy C, 80W90 and Pennzoil 75W90 Synchromesh are are unavailable to me. I can get Agip, Repsol, Pennzoil, Torco or Valvoline 75W90 synthetics but I'm guessing they're only as good or bad as the Redline.
If it's the synthetic nature of these fluids that's the issue I can however get non-synthetic Torco MTF, or some off-brand 75W90 or 80W90 dino gear oils.

Suggestions as to which would be better to finish off a cocktail? I still have 2qts of Redline 75W90 left over.

Spirax HD
Redline Shockproof
???
Profit

I've been to about a half dozen stores looking for the Castrol 80w90, I can't seem to find it anywhere. I found Castol Hypoy C 80w90 and got excited and bought it, but I took it back because it had limited slip written on the front. Should I fork out the extra cash for shipping and buy it online? Or does anybody know a retailer that carries this elusive oil?

just do the spirax and shockproof...the HEAVYWEIGHT SHOCKPROOF.....NOT THE LIGHTWEIGHT

and the synchromesh has NO 'weight'....it is JUST 'synchromesh'

apparently....they do not make the 'hypoy c' anymore

you found the 'new' product i guess

Thanks Scotty. What ratio would you use if it's Spirax and HDSP, 2:1?

Is this new stuff safe considering it has a limited slip additive? I heard to steer clear of anything with 'limited slip' written on it.

a litre of the shockproof should do....spirax to fill

i have no data on that

Ok thanks, any suggestions on what I could use in place of the Castrol? I already have the synchromesh and and redline shockproof.

Thanks!

Ran the original Cocktail years ago and loved it despite the limited service life (started feeling "tired" after ~12K miles).

Did two fills of the Extra-S since then and liked it, but was interested in the "new" formula.

Just under 2K miles on the RL HW Cocktail, and it's niiiiiiice.

Thanks, Scotty!

yet another happy camper....and the HW is much better than the LW, no doubt

What is the "new formula?" Is it just the heavy weight instead of the light weight?

I live in Vermont, and it often gets to -20F, and occasionally -30F in the winter. Just want to make sure that this heavy weight would not bee "too" heavy or viscous.

I'm interested in this cocktail. I had a recent unknown fluid replacement, and now have a 4th gear grind. Hoping this cocktail takes care of it.

Thanks all, looking forward to trying this stuff!

i know the v2 cocktail works well down to the 20'sF....it IS a bit stiffer than it is when it is 80*F but cold mechanical devices are just gonna not be the same as warm ones
so dont expect them to be

go red the specs on the shockproof and figure it out...

Thank you for the reply! The specs for the lightweight specifically suggest that it has a unique ability to be used in vehicles in very cold weather. It does not say that about the heavy stuff. So I probably would go with the lightweight.

Is the only difference between version 1 and version 2 cocktail the weight of the shockproof? Thanks.

thought the v2 with the heavyweight was BETTER when cold...than the v1 was

Just tried it in my '04 WRX wagon. At about 72,000 mi. my 4th gear synchro was crunching like a bag of Doritos. I was sure I would have to just live with it or delve into a huge PITA tranny repair. I would never have believed a gear oil change would quiet things down in there, but I was wrong. Had to go to 5 stores around west Denver to find it all, but well worth it!

I was a bit freaked out when the Shockproof came out of the bottle Valium BLUE!

Well I'm happy to take your word for it. I'm just quoting the lightweight specs:
"A unique gear oil designed to lubricate racing transmissions and transaxles which see serious loads (not recommended for most syncro-type transmissions). It has excellent low-temperature flow which allows easier shifting when cold. May be used to obtain maximum power transfer in racing differentials which do not see high temperatures."

The most it says about the heavy specs:
"High viscosity-index (VI) to provide relatively constant viscosity and film thickness with varying temperature change."

The heavyweight may be more viscous, and therefore worse for extreme cold? Remember, Vermont gets to -20 to -30 (Below zero).

Where did you find each item around Denver?

i dont think id even consider the lightweight shockproof after having used the heavyweight for 2 changes, now

How often do you replace your tranny fluid?

my head is spinning.

for my 03 wrx 5 speed it looks like

1qt redline heavyweight shockproof
1qt pennzoil syncromesh
about 2 qt castrol dino oil 80w90 (NOT for limited slips)

I have no shifting issues at all and 72k miles on my car.
what do you all think?

depeneds on what im feelin like....and if i wanna try something new

since i had my 02 wrx???

mmmmmm....ive probably tried at least 15 'cocktails'

the 06???

this will be the 4th or 5th change here at 100k this month...a couple only lasted a few k miles before i knew they didnt work