[cmd51231]

As promised, I would send off a sample to Blackstone after running FFL-4 in my modified GT-R after some time. Given I didn't want to push the first fill to 18k miles, I went ahead and got a change after 10k miles.

Results are very positive, and backs up "the transmission likes this stuff" feeling after the switch. Also, for your reference, this is the lifetime fill for the current M3 DCT.

A bit of background info:

1) Factory GR6 fluid was drained only at 6500 miles (no flush). At that time, we put in about 7L of FFL-4.
2) Car has been modified about 3-4k miles (can't remember exactly).
3) Immediately noticed smoother shifts. Verified by another local owner who recently switched to FFL-4 from GR6 (used to drive in R mode all the time, did not need to after change).

 

[descartesfool]

Looks good!

 

[Jon H]

Awesome man, thanks for taking the time to do this.

 

[celsius]

Hopefully this will bring down GR6 fluid prices BIG time....thanks cmd51231!

 

[cmd51231]

Hopefully this will bring down GR6 fluid prices BIG time....thanks cmd51231!

You're very welcome, but honestly, GR6 has a long way to go. You can get 20L of the FFL-4 for under $400, that's well over 2 changes. One change of the GR6 stuff is still $500~600?

Plus, even if it matched the FFL-4, I still wouldn't bother with it. The car shifts so much quicker and smoother with FFL-4 than GR6.

 

[shawnhayes]

You have no idea how happy you make me. I'm all warm and fuzzy.

We had all suspected that it would be a good fluid, but it wasn't known for certain. You have added to the community greatly.

An interesting note, the chemical properties of the used FFL fluid are CLOSER to my last custom cocktail than either the OEM or the WillAll's I used to make the mix. If I only could find what the base stock this fluid was made from.

Thank you much. Thousands and thousands of times over.

Shawn

 

[venkatreddytx]

Cmd51231 thanks for the post.

Where did you buy the FFL-4? at the BMW dealership?

 

[cmd51231]

Cmd51231 thanks for the post.

Where did you buy the FFL-4? at the BMW dealership?

Yes, comes in a 20L tub and was around $370ish when I picked it up a while back. I've been told it's gone up, but it's still less than $500 for what is easily 2+ changes.

 

[Jon H]

No problem, needed the sanity check myself. It's a night and day difference between the "feel" of the two, but I can now rest better know the numbers behind it are legit.

I ran the stuff for roughly 10k miles and 2 track days before my transmission took a dump, really wish I could've pulled a sample before then! I liked the fluid, felt better all around. Still have 10L left over in my garage, might be swapping it out in a few weeks.

 

[thebishman]

Thanks for the data.

Can you mention what type(s) of usage the car has seen? Purely street use, or has it been subjected to road course use? Highest transmission temps seen, etc?
Bish

 

[cmd51231]

Thanks for the data.

Can you mention what type(s) of usage the car has seen? Purely street use, or has it been subjected to road course use? Highest transmission temps seen, etc?
Bish

My car is street use only. I don't drive it daily, but when I do, there's guaranteed to be some hard pulls through at least 1-3rd gears. Highest temp seen I believe was 210F during one of those blistering Texas summer days.

My goal for the next flush/analysis will be after 15k miles. If that still looks good, then 20k miles. (I'm after similar pursuits with engine oil... find a good mix for E85... would like to extend the interval but still keep the wear particulates at an acceptable level.)

 

[mpr]

Great stuff cmd51!

At least street driving the pentosin looks alright. Im curious what happens when oil temp reaches above 250F. Or even 280F for some of you guys down south.

 

[cmd51231]

Great stuff cmd51!

At least street driving the pentosin looks alright. Im curious what happens when oil temp reaches above 250F. Or even 280F for some of you guys down south.

I don't know, but if I were tracking, I'd take frequent changes + a transmission cooler over the other super expensive/thick stuff. I mean, for $700+, you can get more than 4 changes out of FFL-4!

 

[teedog]

If you change over to this, how would this affect the warranty, since it is not the OEM tranny fluid?

 

[Jon H]

Depends on the dealer and the issue that comes up with the transmission.

In my case, I was running this fluid, had a failure and Nissan denied my warranty for using an aftermarket fluid along with the car being modified. The decision was eventually reversed though and I was given a new transmission.

 

[[email protected]]

Thanks for this info.

Looks like a great fluid for street driven GT-R's. And based on BMW's "lifetime" Fill, I'll bet its decent at high temps.

 

[sjj31]

Can anyone weigh in whose tracking this? I have a tranny cooler. I was thinking this every 4 days. My temps never go above 245 even On the hottest day. Most of the time Max is 225

 

[sjj31]

My BMW dealer has never heard of this ... Is there any other name it could be under ? Or another source just curious.

 

[cmd51231]

My BMW dealer has never heard of this ... Is there any other name it could be under ? Or another source just curious.

Well, it's not labeled as such at BMW since they rebrand it. It's the DCT-1 fluid for the current M3, it comes in a 20L jug. That's the one you want.

(If you turn it to the back label, it actually calls out "FFL-4.")

 

[[email protected]]

Well, it's not labeled as such at BMW since they rebrand it. It's the DCT-1 fluid for the current M3, it comes in a 20L jug. That's the one you want.

(If you turn it to the back label, it actually calls out "FFL-4.")

Just went down in my garage and snapped a cell phone photo of it.