14 replies to this topic

[themush]

Ive only had experience with the vortech, and not sure what others like procharger use/suggest.

Vortech sells their own special fluid, and its expensive.

If you ask me, it looks, feels and smells like ATF+4 fluid. Marketing and good business? Or really something special? Vortech says using something other than that fluid will ruin the head unit. 

Anyone have any input?

[Mopar muscle 73]

From the procharger side, their supplied oil is a synthetic blend. When i ran out I asked them about viable replacements and although they don't recommend anything but theirs, I was told that the mobil 1 synthetic 0w-20 oil will work. Thats what I went with for the last 2 changes because no-one carries the procharger oil in Calgary, plus the cost is high for 6 oz bottles.

[HemiSam]

There's nothing magic about it.  The key is understanding the application.  There will be a lot of alternatives if you understand the applicaiton.  Looks like MM got some insight.  If it's worked that long for him, odds are pretty damn high you'll be good to go.

 

Another cut at it would be to contact the tech dept of one of the specialty manufacturers and talk to them about the application.  10 to 1 says you'll learn something.

 

HS

[themush]

well the vortech oil is definitely not like motor oil. Its red and seems almost identical to ATF fluid, or even friction modifier. Id imagine motor oil would work just the same for lubricating purposes, but maybe there is a difference in what type of seals or orings or gaskets each unit takes? Which specialty manufacturers are you referring to? Like call a tech at a place that makes ATF ? Because vortech isnt gonna tell you shit. Thanks for the input sam!

[YLWJKT]

I used the Vortech oil when I had mine.
While it's expensive it's comparatively cheap to a falied head unit.

As far as tech, I've spoken to the guys at Amsoil over the years and they've been pretty helpful;
Amsoil, Technical Services Phone: (715) 399-TECH (8324)

[Dookie]

I'm sure if you search you can find a tech hotline for Mobil 1, Rotella, Amsoil, Royal Purple, Redline, insert random oil company here...Discuss the application with them, temperatures, speeds, etc to get a recommendation. ATF is used in lots of application and is a very good lubricant to bearings at high speed, also cools well. The properties of ATF lend it to be a good choice there, it's viscosity is lighter than motor oil, which allows for higher running speeds and reduces running friction. Think about the ball path in the raceway being like you trying to run through a pool of syrup (motor oil) versus running through a pool of water (ATF). ATF is often used in industrial application like high speed fluid couplings, large volume air movers, and have used it to thin out some gear oil in large (10+ inch shaft size) because it was running hot...the ATF got the temps back into the safe area. 

[themush]

wow, great info. thanks dookie! i mean, i dont have a problem using the vortech stuff. But sometimes you forget to order ahead and run out...to get with a tech at a fluid manufacturer, I would probably have to know more info than I do..like operating temps, pressures, etc,etc.

It was more just a rhetorical discussion, something Ive been thinking about for a while. Im pretty convinced Vortech charges $50 for a half quart of $5/qt ATF+4 and that eats at my soul/wallet

[HemiSam]

well the vortech oil is definitely not like motor oil. Its red and seems almost identical to ATF fluid, or even friction modifier. Id imagine motor oil would work just the same for lubricating purposes, but maybe there is a difference in what type of seals or orings or gaskets each unit takes? Which specialty manufacturers are you referring to? Like call a tech at a place that makes ATF ? Because vortech isnt gonna tell you shit. Thanks for the input sam!

 

Royal Purple, Amsoil, Mobil 1, Redline for starters.

 

HS

[Hemi31]

I'm sure if you search you can find a tech hotline for Mobil 1, Rotella, Amsoil, Royal Purple, Redline, insert random oil company here...Discuss the application with them, temperatures, speeds, etc to get a recommendation. ATF is used in lots of application and is a very good lubricant to bearings at high speed, also cools well. The properties of ATF lend it to be a good choice there, it's viscosity is lighter than motor oil, which allows for higher running speeds and reduces running friction. Think about the ball path in the raceway being like you trying to run through a pool of syrup (motor oil) versus running through a pool of water (ATF). ATF is often used in industrial application like high speed fluid couplings, large volume air movers, and have used it to thin out some gear oil in large (10+ inch shaft size) because it was running hot...the ATF got the temps back into the safe area. 

Thing is trans fluid is 10 weight.......gotta make sure when you choose an oil theres enough viscosity to keep the gears apart.

[LUV MY RT]

     Dont know whats in it  but I opened up a bottle of the Vortech oil. It does have a ATF smell but it seems a little thicker than ATF. It does say synthetic on the outside of the bottle. Superchargers Online sells it for $30 (3pack). I have one bottle left will probably order my next oil from them.  I think Vortechs price is $31.95(3pack).

[Cnhman2008]

If you send a sample to blackstone maybe they can do a analysis and tell you exactly what it is.

[Corrupted]

From the procharger side, their supplied oil is a synthetic blend. When i ran out I asked them about viable replacements and although they don't recommend anything but theirs, I was told that the mobil 1 synthetic 0w-20 oil will work. Thats what I went with for the last 2 changes because no-one carries the procharger oil in Calgary, plus the cost is high for 6 oz bottles.

It's funny that this thread came up because I need to order oil for my procharger as well. I know it's gotta be some synthetic blend . I think it's bull shit that the procharger people will not tell us what weight oil it is. Unless I can get a concrete answer that it's a synthetic 0-20 w, I'm gonna continue spending prochargers crazy price along with their $14.00 shipping. Probably the person that knows or could get the answe is Andy.

[srt5939]

I run the same oil Kenne bell used I think it's 0/50

[bklynmag]

Are the internals of head units different on models that are self lubricated versus the ones that draw in engine oil and tap a drain line into the oil pan?

 

 

[themush]

good point there. I didnt think about that. The none self lubed kind just use whatever motor oil is in your car. interesting thought.