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I have also been trying to decide on which gearbox (and differential) oil to use recently and have finally decided to give Redline MT-90 a go. It's a little thicker then the shockproof lightweight but that doesn't seem to be such a bad thing in hotter climates like Brisbane & Perth. I have contacted Redline twice and been told MT-90 once and MTL once so I don't think you will have a problem either way.

You will get a million opinions as to what to use but from what I have read Redline does seem to get massive kudos.

Now to work out which differential fluid I want...

i have just put in castrol syntrans and its made a good improvement in feel. its about 60 dollars at the most for 2l

CONTI wrote:Just don't spill any Light Weight Shockproof Redline on the garage floor every one will think you murdered a Smurf!!!

Haha, so true...its liquid gold too.
IMO lightweight shockproof is worth it, it will help your gear box if its still in good cond.

The oil spec for the vehicle is spelled out by Mazda as the minimum standard you would require- refer the owners manual. The question of notchiness may very well occur because of technique or wear on the synchro rings. Many use the standard oil without any problem though there is a need not to rush changes when oil is cold. If an athlete has a sore leg or you have a bad back a pain killer hides the symptons and does not necessarily cure them. I would not be surprised if the "slicker" oil does not do the same thing.

How much oil does the nb box take and can you fill it from the shifter instead of the filler hole?

My NB8A took 1.9 litres from memory, and it was way easier to fill it from the filler hole rather than pull the console, shifter etc out..

Just undo the filler plug, put some bunnings 12mm poly tube down from the engine bay into plug and pour away. Easy as..

The NB 6 speed box takes 2 L and yes if your desperate it can be filled from the turret... (Should be filled from the fill hole and excess should be let before putting the fill plug in)

Just tried to change the oil via the top, was going all smooth till I didn't know what to do with the little pool of oil as sooN as you remve the shifter... Looked like I had to take that part out but I didn't wanna make a mess so closed it all up n used the filler hole with a pump like normal ppl. I now know what you mean by the 12mm hose! Would have been much easier then the draining pump.

I used 1.9ltrs of castrol vmx80 n she feels so smooth so far.. Wen up to mount Donna (at 1am lol) n she feels as good as new!