[tshawa]

Hi guys,

I have two questions;

I am tracking my car for the first time this coming weekend. For preparation, I took my car to my garage for oils to be changed and for a quick check-up. I replaced engine oil and filter, replaced stock transmission oil to Dodson transmission oil, and replaced front and rear differential oil (oem).

Now, first question is that when the transmission oil was drained and the filter taken out, it had small specs of a white greasy residue. This was also found in the transmission cover trap window. Garage said that it was a tiny bit of grease and normal, not to worry. Any feedback?

Secondly, the next morning, I must admit that my transmission drove a lot smoother, less flunks and very smooth shifts. Until I was in traffic and in low speed (below 15 kms per hour) in 2nd gear. Slowing down is fine, but when I try to accelerate again, if I am tapping the pedal lightly, the car is stuttering to engage it seems. RPM goes uo and down several times and the car just doesn't go right away. Now if I gas it harder, no problems, just as it was before. But in slow soeed lightly gassing I am getting this stutter I n2nd gear only.

Any help is highly appreciated, as I am transporting my car day after tomorrow and need to figure this out soon. Any harm to the gearbox if I track it, or is this a result of the Dodson transmission oil, or what??

 

[tshawa]

Forgot to mention that the car has 4000 miles on it and mods are in my signature, if you need that info.

 

[dexterkatt]

Happened a lot in 1st gear just off idle to me before Cobb trans tune and Dodson oil. Still happens in 1st infrequently.

 

[tshawa]

Dexterkatt,

Do you recommend I get a tranmission re-learn? Using the Cobb TCM?

Happened a lot in 1st gear just off idle to me before Cobb trans tune and Dodson oil. Still happens in 1st infrequently.

 

[Craig]

<snip>

Secondly, the next morning, I must admit that my transmission drove a lot smoother, less flunks and very smooth shifts. Until I was in traffic and in low speed (below 15 kms per hour) in 2nd gear. Slowing down is fine, but when I try to accelerate again, if I am tapping the pedal lightly, the car is stuttering to engage it seems. RPM goes uo and down several times and the car just doesn't go right away. Now if I gas it harder, no problems, just as it was before. But in slow soeed lightly gassing I am getting this stutter I n2nd gear only.

Any help is highly appreciated, as I am transporting my car day after tomorrow and need to figure this out soon. Any harm to the gearbox if I track it, or is this a result of the Dodson transmission oil, or what??

2nd gear at low speed has been "grabby" for me with both WillAll and Dodson fluid. I was able to get rid of it entirely with the WillAll fluid by having the clutch capacities lowered by one after a re-learn (the dealer can do this for you, or if you have a Cobb AccessPort you can do it yourself). I never did get rid of it entirely when running the Dodson fluid, but backing off the clutch capacities one notch did help (I was at -1). As you mentioned the "grab and release" only occured under light throttle, and just "getting on it a bit" stopped it immediately. No worries if you're doing some tracking, just the nature of the fluid...

 

[tshawa]

Craig, thank you so much for the help and feedback... You have truly put my mind at ease now, and I can enjoy the track!!! When you say Cobb, you mean the TCM, right?? Cause I have the AP, but not the TCM. Also, can a dealer do it if I have a Cobb Tune installed?

2nd gear at low speed has been "grabby" for me with both WillAll and Dodson fluid. I was able to get rid of it entirely with the WillAll fluid by having the clutch capacities lowered by one after a re-learn (the dealer can do this for you, or if you have a Cobb AccessPort you can do it yourself). I never did get rid of it entirely when running the Dodson fluid, but backing off the clutch capacities one notch did help (I was at -1). As you mentioned the "grab and release" only occured under light throttle, and just "getting on it a bit" stopped it immediately. No worries if you're doing some tracking, just the nature of the fluid...

 

[Craig]

Craig, thank you so much for the help and feedback... You have truly put my mind at ease now, and I can enjoy the track!!! When you say Cobb, you mean the TCM, right?? Cause I have the AP, but not the TCM. Also, can a dealer do it if I have a Cobb Tune installed?

Yes, you'll need one of the NS-006 AccessPorts to do it yourself. I believe with the newer Cobb maps the dealer can get the Consult III to connect with the tune installed and should be "good to go" as far as adjusting the capacities from there...

 

[tshawa]

Car is at the dealer as I am writing to get the gear relearn done. Hope it works out and will update you all.

 

[xoulu]

please update when you can, i was planing to switch out to dodson trans oil too

 

[tshawa]

Took the car to the dealership yesterday to have the clutch relearn and adjust the capacities as advised by all. They did the adjustments and checked all the fluids again (thought they were low or too high) and the car stayed overnight. It is still with them. They have logged the data from the 2nd gear stutter and sent to Nissan Dubai, and a specialist GTR technician is seeing the car this morning. They have promised to have the car ready by noon today as, my trailer for transport arrives around 2 to pick up the car for transport to Bahrain Race Track (I live in Kuwait).

Will update you all once I get their feedback and know what is going on.

 

[tshawa]

I can tell you that my initial feedback for the dodson is amazing!!! When i left the car overnight and the oil to soak in, the next morning ride was a huge difference from stock transmission oil. The clunks are gone, the shifts are much smoother and the whole transmission is a lot less noisy.

please update when you can, i was planing to switch out to dodson trans oil too

 

[xoulu]

is this a common problem when changing transmission oil where you may need to clutch relearn ?

thanks for letting me know! def going to change it to dodson if everything goes well for you

 

[REK125]

Before everyone waxes poetic over Dodson fluid, I used Dodson for the last 7,000 miles I owned my GTR. IMO, even after the relearn the Dodson fluid was only a mild improvement at most over the OEM fluid as regards transmission shifting smoothness.

 

[tshawa]

What do u recommend

Before everyone waxes poetic over Dodson fluid, I used Dodson for the last 7,000 miles I owned my GTR. IMO, even after the relearn the Dodson fluid was only a mild improvement at most over the OEM fluid as regards transmission shifting smoothness.

 

[paparazzi]

What do u recommend

I have a build transmission (superstock clutches, dodson main shaft and 1st gear, gearlocks, blueprinted pump etc) I used the dodson fluid and I did not like it. 1st and 2nd gear were very jerky.

I've since switched to Willall's experimental fluid for built transmissions and swapped to LC4 and the transmission has settled down very well. there is still jerkiness in 2nd gear when fluid is hot but nowhere near the level of the Dodson.

If you're on stock clutches and track alot then Willall Victory Spec is a good choice (its expensive though) but its worth it. I drive my car hard on street and do alot of Autox and temps stay under control.

Another thing I notices is trans temps rise higher with the dodson fluid than the willall fluid.

 

[tshawa]

Is the jerkiness and stutter in 2nd gear in any way harmful to the transmission or gears? It bothers me only in traffic and low speeds, but other than that I dont feel it. In the back of my head though it is killing me to know that it is there. Also, if I was to go back to oem transmission fluid, would the stutter and jerkiness go away??

I have a build transmission (superstock clutches, dodson main shaft and 1st gear, gearlocks, blueprinted pump etc) I used the dodson fluid and I did not like it. 1st and 2nd gear were very jerky.

I've since switched to Willall's experimental fluid for built transmissions and swapped to LC4 and the transmission has settled down very well. there is still jerkiness in 2nd gear when fluid is hot but nowhere near the level of the Dodson.

If you're on stock clutches and track alot then Willall Victory Spec is a good choice (its expensive though) but its worth it. I drive my car hard on street and do alot of Autox and temps stay under control.

Another thing I notices is trans temps rise higher with the dodson fluid than the willall fluid.

 

[paparazzi]

its not harmful....just annoying!

I can't say whether it will go away with oem fluid. What I can theorise is this....the thicker the fluid, the less jerkiness there is. That's what I've noticed having been through OEM, Willall Standard, Willall Spec V, Dodson Standard and now Willall Build Transmission Fluid

 

[tshawa]

Paparazzi, just to clarify, my stutter is reflected in the rpm gauge as well... I mean when I am on very light throttle at speeds below 15 km/h, the car stutters... The rpm gauge stays under 1500 and bounces back and forth between 1200-1500. If I throttle harder, no stutter at all. And this is only happening in 2nd gear, as far as I have experienced. This was not there prior to changing the transmission oil. I know this because I drive the GTR to work everyday and traffic is bumper to bumper, so I am in 2nd gear most of the way without downshifting to 1st every time I come to a near stop.

its not harmful....just annoying!

I can't say whether it will go away with oem fluid. What I can theorise is this....the thicker the fluid, the less jerkiness there is. That's what I've noticed having been through OEM, Willall Standard, Willall Spec V, Dodson Standard and now Willall Build Transmission Fluid

 

[paparazzi]

I know what you mean. The revs are a bit pendulous before it settles down. Have you tried switching to LC4. It helps!

 

[tshawa]

Not yet... is it officially out or still beta version??

I know what you mean. The revs are a bit pendulous before it settles down. Have you tried switching to LC4. It helps!