slipstream444

Exactly.
However, there's a range of diminishing returns the thicker you go - IOW I wouldn't go to a 75W140 with a stock diff expecting better protection. There's a definite limit to the "more is better" philosophy.
The 75W110 will cover you in essentially all conditions with a stock diff, including track days. A 75W90 is fine for normal to spirited driving, and in colder winter weather where your diff simply won't get that warm.

As for the LE - I'm not a big fan of it for daily or light track use. I'm sure it's great for the track warriors.
I had the HTG put some in when I had an '04 trans installed in my '03. My highway mileage dropped by almost 3 mpg on the return trip compared to my trip out (OKC to Cleveland and then back). Prior to the LE I had been running Amsoil Series 2000 75W90 (replaced by the SG line). I switched back to Amsoil the next scheduled drain and my mileage improved by over 4 MPG on the highway (finally realizing the benefit of a higher 6th gear - especially with 4.57 gears in the diff). The LE drained was almost as dark as the break-in drain, which didn't impress me either. The LE is simply too thick for daily use IMHO.

I currently use Amsoil SG 75W110 and it comes out clean - which tells me it's doing its job and minimizing wear.

tekstar

Thanks! I love your explanations slipstream. Out of curiosity, what are you using for transmission fluid?

SpitfireS

slipstream444 Posted on Jun 27 2009, 06:18 PM
Don't forget the SAE 110 spec of today is within the old SAE 90 spec of 1999, making the 75W-110 "Honda manual recommended".
Going thinner than OEM is IMO not a very good idea.
IMO it will, I remember XV running a temp sensor on the diff and noticed a temp rise after spirited driving that didn't go away.
As far as I can go by sound I notice the same, drive normal and the 4.57 Howl is pretty quiet, step on it for a bit and it becomes a bit louder and stays that way, even in winter.
IOW: the diff, once wamed up, stays warm.
INDYMAC?
Do you remember the color/smell of your LE-1605?
The UOA you posted on BITOG - and here - not that long ago came out perfect and no comment about it being burned or anything.
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=706950
Did you notice a drop in mpg too?
The LE-1605 is about the same visc. as the famous discontinued LE-607 and I don't remember anybody reporting dark (is it overheated / burned?) oil.

INDYMAC

The LE 607 and 1605 that I have been draining over the years has always come out looking brand new, so I can't confirm what Slipstream experienced as the norm.

I do not drive the S2000 as a road warrior, so it would be impossible for me to compare MPG differences. Also, I have never had anything else but LE 607 or 1605 in the diff since the OEM fill.

I do notice a MPG drop in my truck with 1605 in the rear diff. But the arrival of E10 gasohol seemed to be around the same time as my switch. I say go back to real gasoline and don't worry about higher viscosity gear oil hurting MPG. Especially on these nice warm Texas days we're having.

INTJ

I run the LE, it is exactly within spec. The pour point is only a limiting factor for Winter in the Rockies and Central Canada. I track my DD mileage and it has not discernible effect whatsoever. Winter Ox fuel does lower my mileage from 1-3 mpg.

CASTRO

LE FTW!

I changed out the factory fill @ 500 miles and again @ 5000 miles. Currently now hitting 15k miles and about to start my diff change schedule every 10k since I dont DD the car and it sees nothing but spirited weekends and auto-x events. Only driven in the summer and never in the winter so feeling that the extra protection from LE is great to have

Boofster

I don't think you were supposed to change your oil at 3500.

It has been discussed many times that the factory break-in oil should stay in the car until about 10k miles.

If you followed your oil minder indicator, the period is correctly calculated.

https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=18111

CASTRO

leave the orig motor oil in till 10k miles? or were you referring to the diff?

psychoazn

My contribution...

I have some newer samples that I need to upload =P

philbert

I just had Blackstone do an analysis for my recent sample, which was the 2nd oil change (1yr interval) on my '07 that has about 4k miles total, with a number of autocross events and one track day. This sample is the Honda dealer replacement oil.

Unfortunately, I didn't know about getting UOAs done last year, so no inital change data.