First let me say I have been researching this since last summer when my tranny hit 185 coming home from the beach empty, ambient was 100 (DP 80hp Eco,I got more interested when it hit 195 pulling the TT last fall and this springwhen ambient was 65-70 (DP 60hp tow).

I read and followed Mark's guide on checking for blockages and I don't have any and have read members remarks about theirs getting this hot while towing also.

After reading all of the guides and post, I have decided to put the 31 row 6.0 cooler on.

Now for the fun part while doing this mod I was thinking of adding an inline external filter and possibly a deeper finned pan like a Derale 14208. I am not so worried about the extra cooling capacity of the pan just the extra fluid it will hold. Also I have read that using the Summit in line filter kit can reduce temp. I do not want to cool the fluid too much, that it is not flowing properly.

My fluid passes through the radiator before stock cooler.

Thanks in advance for the help.

 

I still don't understand what having extra fluid does for you, other than making your wallet lighter. Why does everyone want more fluid? What is the benefit?

 

I wanted your opinion on this Mark, I wasn't sure. I think the thinking is that it will take longer to heat up. I'm not sure, like I said I was just thinking about doing this. I know the 31 row cooler will add some capacity to the system, but not that much. I do want the external filter, just not sure what brand, I like the summit because I can use an OE oil filter. Thoughts?

 

Why do you think you need more cooling? Your temperatures aren't approaching dangerous levels, so why the upgrade?

 

Thats what I was thinking, When you start approaching 230 then you need to think about additional cooling but 180 you are just getting the moisture out of the system.

 

I want the additional cooling for the summer trips pulling the TT, stop and go traffic in Myrtle Beach in July. I'm not so worried about the interstate travel because I will be going over 45 mph, but the last thing I want is to cook the tranny with the wife and kids in the truck in the middle of the summer.

Mike what are your thoughts for a brand of external inline filter?

 

When I installed my 6.0 cooler I put a magnafine filter on the return line. I installed it in the return line because my cooler was used and I didnt want any crap that might have been in the cooler after the flush to get to my trans. If you are installing a new cooler you could put it in either line.

 

Does A Finned-Aluminum Trans Pan Really Do Anything? - Hot Rod Magazine

would like your thoughts. I know you say they do nothing, but this article shows a benefit.

i found it intriguing, to say the least.

 

That article didn't say where they placed the sensor....if it went in the pan then throw those results out the window. They also probably didn't drive it long enough to get the fluid warm. Depending on a variety of conditions, it can take quite a while to get all the fluid up to temp.

My F-450 has an ATS finned aluminum deep pan. I'll be removing it in a few weeks in favor of the stock stamped steel pan. I am doing this for improved cooling. On my other trucks....the transmission fluid temp begins to fall pretty soon after I come to a stop and place it in park (with engine still running)......the 450 does not do that, in fact the temps climb about 10 degrees and hold there for quite a while before cooling down. I have no idea why this happens but the only thing different is the pan so I am going to change it out and see what happens. I seriously doubt that I'll put the finned pan back on.....it'll probably make it's way to eBay. I am sure there will be someone out there that thinks it's a great thing to have on their truck.

 

I'm worried about being 130 above ambient pulling the TT since ambient in July and August here can be 100+. The temps I gave you for pulling the TT were running down a country road doing 55-60mph, when I had to go through a small city last Labor day I hit 205 at one point not much stop and go just 35 the whole time. With the family with me that is too close to 220. I even tried the high idle at one point just to see if it would bring it down some but it didn't.

 

Fair enough. I'd suggest checking out THIS THREAD. When I installed my 6.0l cooler I was concerned with overcooling, and so I also installed a thermostat kit to keep my temps where they should be.

 

Yes, it will take longer to heat up. Once it does heat up it will also take longer to cool down. What have you gained? Nothing.

A larger cooler will add some capacity, but not enough to make any difference. If I remember right it is less than a quart.

No, it doesn't show a benefit. It shows that they have a need to sell magazines and that they have ABSOLUTELY NO CLUE on how to run a scientific experiment. Their little drive test just shows that more fluid takes longer to heat up. Does it mean there is more cooling? No, it does not. It means that more mass takes longer to heat up. Duh. I could have come up with a better test than that when I was in high school.

 

taking longer to heat up can be a benefit. climbing a hill takes a finite amount of time. Gaining temperature at a slower rate can mean lower temps at the top of a hill. Saying that you gain nothing is only true given an infinite duty cycle, which is never the case.

argue all you want with the means and methods, 190 is lower than 200. maybe 200 isn't a problem, but it is closer to being a problem than 190.


extra fluid in any system, sealed or not, can be a benefit.
the oil pans on gasoline engines have grown from 5 to 7 quarts, where's the benefit?

i get it ... you're a transmission engineer (retired) and have studied this in every way shape and form ... but you guys also forgot to put a trans cooler in the radiator for a couple years until your customers complained.

 

No, we didn't forget, the morons in the cooling department thought we didn't need it over our protests. That's one of the reasons I moved to the transmission cooling department for the last three years of my career.

If you only climb short hills you will not reach the same peak temperatures. On longer hills you will get very, very close to the same temps.

You're welcome to your opinions, and I'll keep mine. Let's leave it at that.

 

Why would over cooling be a bad thing?
Is it detrimental to run at 160 ish instead of 180-190 ish?
I wouldn't think it's like motor oil where you want it to burn off contaminates and need a minimum temp.
Am I missing something?