I was bit putoff when I went into a local Evo speed shop for a TC-SST fluid flush and filter change with 30,000 mi on the clock, the first guy I talked to was unaware that the Evo X MR came with a transmission other than the 5 speed manual, the second guy never heard of a "filter" for the transmission! I cancelled the fluid change to do more research.

I called SSP and they told me it was very important that I change the filter as it can effect fluid pressure and, as a result, shifting performance. Any opinion on the importance of changing the filter with the fluid?

 

I've cheanged the filter each time I've changed the oil, its not a cheap part.

 

do it !!! youll end up like me ..... with out your car or sst ,
even if i changed mine ...

 

I finally found a source (and a competent parts guy) for the filter at South Coast Mitsubishi ($120 with forum discount) and decided to let them replace the filter and oil while I was there ($50 labor).

I was dismayed when they questioned the quality of the oil I brought in, they had never heard of Willall SST fluid and asked me to accept responsibility if the fluid caused then gearbox to fail ($$$). Then the tech working on the car asked me if he was supposed to put the whole container (8 ltrs.) in the gearbox! Getting wary of the technicians expertise I told him to make sure he had removed all three drain plugs and filled the gearbox with ~5.8 litrs of the fluid, he assured me he would fill it with the right amount.

This did nothing to evoke my confidence in the shop but If the improved shifting performance after the change is any indication the shop must have done this complicated task correctly. I must stop being lazy and do these things myself, it is the only way to be sure.

For some time now I have been having trouble with a hesitation during WOT shifting, the log showed the fuel mixture would go way rich momentarily just as the SST would shift so I have been chasing this problem from a ECU tuning perspective with out success, however, the fluid and filter change has apparently fixed the the problem, the TC-SST gearbox shifted perfectly on the way home from the shop ! Who whould'a thunk? I will remain mystified by the interaction of the ECU/TCU, I'm guessing it was a fluid pressure issue caused by a clogged filter.

 

It is very important to change the SST fluid and filter sooner than what the manual says. I am sure when you have it serviced, the fluid will probably turn black.

I am going with the Severe Maintenance Schedule as a precautionary, and planning to change mine real soon with SSP fluid and filter.

As far as I know, Willall Racing & SSP are the only two that I know who make very good trans fluid specially formulated for SST transmission.

 

It is very important to change the SST filter around 10000 miles of use. The fluid and filter should be changed at even shorter intervals if tracked frequently.

 

Does SSP make a direct filter replacement now, or is still the one for the deeppan?

 

I believe SSP does have one and it's also a reusable.

 

+1 for changing your fluid before 30k miles.

Guys, you gotta be aware that using anything except fluid is grounds to reject a warranty claim on a transmission. Telling them you weren't using the factory fluid might have just cost you a transmission. Don't use other fluid unless you're prepared for the possible consequences.

(And yes i'm aware of SSP and WillALL fluid, just saying)

 

They don't make a direct replacement filter. It's a reusable inline filter, and it has nothing to do with your transmission pan.

 

^--- this. It's a filter you add into your lines.

 

Yes I agree. If the properties of the fluid I chose to use caused a failure I would not expect, nor would I ask Mitsubishi to replace the tranny for free regardless of the cost to me! If however it is a faulty transmission that failed I would hope that Mitsubishi would warranty it. Fat chance of that ever happening (morality in business?) no matter what fluid I was using. I gave up any notion of a warranty when I started modding, no, probably when I chose to buy an Evo in the first place! And to think the dealer tried (unsuccessfully) to sell me an extended warranty at the time of purchase. I accept responsibility for the car and the way it was treated and will pay for the repairs.

Paul

 

I mean the fluid COULD cause damage in other places as well. In 5 speeds, you can NOT use GL-5 gear oil because of the high sulfuric content, it destroys synchros and gears. So can legally deny a warranty on those transmissions for such oversight.

I'm not saying SSP and WillAll is bad fluid either. In fact, it probably is better. But there hasn't been as much testing with it as the SST fluid, therefor has the right to say only use their fluid. Who knows what could happen, maybe after 20k miles the willAll will bake onto the clutches and fry them. (I'm not saying this has happened, I'm giving a fictional example).

around here is decent at their warranty, unless you are just very neglectful and modded something they are working on, they will usually honor the warranty.

I still haven't heard of a SST warranty being denied. Though I'm sure it has happened, but I don't think it's very common.

 

As Getrag makes this tranny, and Getrag makes TC-SST pentosin tranny fluid-I wonder what fluid Getrag is adding to the SST before shipping them to Mitsu? FFL-2 (VW)? FFL-3 (Porsche)? FFL-4?