Trans Temp and Deep Pan question

[LVMarauder]

My Custom torque Converter is done and all I have to do is pick it up and get it installed. However, I would like add a extra deep tranny pan for additional cooling and a transtemp guage to the guage cluster. How do u install the trans temp sensor and what is a good company that makes extra deep tranny pans. Thanks.

[valleyman]

LVMarauder - I have a 3k high stall t/c in my MM and also live in a hot climate like you. If your only reason for going with a deeper tranny pan is for cooling to offset the higher temps the new t/c will generate, forget it, the deeper pan and extra capacity will not get you where you need to be cooling-wise. If you want to keep that tranny living a long and healthy life you'll need an aftermarket tranny cooler in addition to the stock one. There's just no way around it when you live where the ambient temp gets above 95 on a regular basis. I put in the deep pan with the 3k t/c and tranny temps were well over 200 on a consistent basis: not a tranny killer but, just like smoking cigarettes to the human lungs, not good for long term prospects. When I put in an aftermarket cooler temps dropped to the 170 level.

To answer your question, my pan is an Art Carr that I got from Reinhart and I am happy with the pan, price and service. It does have a drain plug. Do a site search on this issue and you'll see that there are different opinions on where to mount the temp sensor. I took the easy route and mounted mine in the already provided threaded hole in the tranny. I also highly recommend the Nordskag digital temp guage because its easy to monitor at a glance.

[LVMarauder]

Thanks for the info valley, I live in Santa Barbara CA for the time being but I totally agree with you about rediculous summer temps that I will be experienceing here in vegas during the summer. So then I guess the question is how much is an external cooler?

[Dennis Reinhart]

Thanks for the info valley, I live in Santa Barbara CA for the time being but I totally agree with you about rediculous summer temps that I will be experienceing here in vegas during the summer. So then I guess the question is how much is an external cooler?


I just did one in Adrians car its a huge cooler with stainless steel lines its on sale call me Monday

[Donny Carlson]

I also highly recommend the Nordskag digital temp guage because its easy to monitor at a glance.I have both Nordskog and Dakota Digital gauges in my car. My tranny temp gauge is a Dakota Digital:

http://www.mercurygallery.net/mmnet/data/502/1136DSC00737.JPG

[FordNut]

I just had a cooler mounted in mine. So far, it's one-of-a-kind. I'll be finishing the fluid line hook-up tomorrow and taking pics to post. You might want to wait and see what it looks like.

As for temp sensor, there are probably 3 or 4 ways that members have mounted them. Some in the pan, some by screwing the sensor into the tranny case, some have used the tranny temp sensor mounting block and cut the lines, and then mine is connected by putting the mounting block at the junction between steel hoses and rubber hoses between the radiator and engine.

As for gauge mounting, some have used the a-pillar pod, some have done away with or relocated the cigarette lighter and installed a 3rd gauge there, some have replaced the volt meter with a tranny temp gauge.

As for gauge selection, most have used the Autometer so it matches the other gauges, but some have changed the existing gauges to digital ones and added a digital tranny temp gauge. One good thing with digital ones is there are gauges out there with two readouts in one gauge. You could have tranny temp and oil temp together in one gauge.

Now you know the options, but this doesn't help make up your mind a bit, does it?

[LVMarauder]

I didnt know that a digital gauge could show two readouts. I like that but the autometers that are in there are pretty classy. I think ill find a extra deep with a pre-drilled spot for the trans sensor. And I gotta get those A-pillar mounts

[Dennis Reinhart]

My Custom torque Converter is done and all I have to do is pick it up and get it installed. However, I would like add a extra deep tranny pan for additional cooling and a transtemp guage to the guage cluster. How do u install the trans temp sensor and what is a good company that makes extra deep tranny pans. Thanks.


We drill and tap the pan its very easy I will see if I can find a picture

[CRUZTAKER]

If your only reason for going with a deeper tranny pan is for cooling to offset the higher temps the new t/c will generate, forget it, the deeper pan and extra capacity will not get you where you need to be cooling-wise.......
My tranny guy told me the same thing. The bigger tranny pan is a bling item in MY book.

At minimum, do the J-MOD while your tranny is out. Instructions are here on the net, and I have them in PDF as well.

Do so get the tranny cooler. I have an appointment in 2005 with Lid to get this done.

[Glenn]

I have been running a PI TC3000 for about 6 months - no problems along with a Ford Racing extra capacity trans pan (a good looking pan). I recently installed a trans & oil temp gauge in an A-pillar pod. The trans temp sending unit is installed in the side of the trans in an available oil line plug. I ran 11 quarter mile runs at SSHS4 and the temps temp never went above 180 degrees. Yes, it was only in the 70's and that helped. It currently runs about 155-160 degrees, but that is admittedly with our cooler weather. The hotter summer temps could well push it to 180+ degrees on a normal driving basis?? If it goes beyond 190/200 degrees I may well install a cooler.

Glenn

[Donny Carlson]

I have been running a PI TC3000 for about 6 months - no problems along with a Ford Racing extra capacity trans pan (a good looking pan). I recently installed a trans & oil temp gauge in an A-pillar pod. The trans temp sending unit is installed in the side of the trans in an available oil line plug. I ran 11 quarter mile runs at SSHS4 and the temps temp never went above 180 degrees. Yes, it was only in the 70's and that helped. It currently runs about 155-160 degrees, but that is admittedly with our cooler weather. The hotter summer temps could well push it to 180+ degrees on a normal driving basis?? If it goes beyond 190/200 degrees I may well install a cooler.

Glenn
I doubt you see those kind of temps during normal driving, even in Georgia summer heat. My tranny temp gauge only reaches above 180 degrees during WOT runs or "spirited" driving, and even then it drops quickly. I would expect you'll see temps above 180 when you race the car, and perhaps for that reason you may want the tranny cooler. I would run it next summer first before jumping off that bridge.

[valleyman]

I doubt you see those kind of temps during normal driving, even in Georgia summer heat. My tranny temp gauge only reaches above 180 degrees during WOT runs or "spirited" driving, and even then it drops quickly. I would expect you'll see temps above 180 when you race the car, and perhaps for that reason you may want the tranny cooler. I would run it next summer first before jumping off that bridge.

This summer my tranny temps were in the 190-210 range pretty much all the time after about 15 minutes of driving before I installed the tranny cooler. The 190 end when I was just around town (OD off) and the 210 end of the guage when I was on the freeway (never over 85 mph). This is with ambient temperatures in the 95 to 105 range. My guess is, in a Georgia summer, that sooner, much sooner rather than later you will opt for a tranny cooler. Just a guess.

[DEFYANT]

What is optimum operating temp. on our transmissions? How hot is too hot. How cold is too cold?

[valleyman]

The guys who make the things say the optimum fluid temperature is 160 to 180. I don't know about what is "too cold" but I wish I knew since I spend way too much time in the 140-150 range now that winter is here.