transmission cooler and pan recomendations? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

steve k. · 08-18-2005, 01:20 AM

To increase the cooling for my transmission i want to go to a larger pan. Is there any recomendation on the brand. i've looked through catalogs and all cast alluminum pans look the same with prices ranging from $90 for Summit pan to $130 for Hughes. What's the difference? Both are finned and both hold 2 extra quarts.

I also need recomendation on the transmission cooler.

The truck is a 1981 C30 used for towing a race car. Total weight of car and trailer is about 3500lb.

thanks for your advice.
steve k.

Mike76251 · 08-18-2005, 05:40 AM

I don't like deeper pans cause they hang down too low.
I also don't like Aluminum pans because they are not as strong as a steel pan should that rock fly up and hit them.

As far as a cooler.......get B&M's largest (28,000gvw...I think).
The cooler and it's lines will give you more fluid in the system so you might not need a deeper pan anyway.
I mounted my B&M cooler in front of my AC condensor with flat steel bar. I don't trust plastic tie thingys.
I also used 1/2" stainless for the lines. All the rubber hoses I have tried leaked soon after installation.

1987 Shortwide · 08-18-2005, 08:31 AM

I'll have to check what brand aluminum pan I've got on mine... I'm really happy with it. I went down to my tranny shop and had them get me the most heavy duty cooler they carry. It came with female A/N ends, which worked perfectly because my trans lines are steel braided with A/N fittings on both ends. No leaks and a great look, not to mention very hassle free.

daveM · 08-19-2005, 10:16 AM

i just put a Mr Transmission cooler on my '87 TH400 trani. The big cooler out of the 3 listed on the box. I also pull a 3500 lb trailer.

No problem. Maybe runs at 190 when pulling the trailer.

No trailer, -had a problem. Maybe 105, 110 degrees. This was with the trani cooler only. Not connected to the rad.

What I had to do was run the trani oil through the cooler... this from my previous testing brought the fluid down to around 100 degrees. I then took it from the cooler to the Rad Cooler which then heats the fluid up a bit.

Trani now runs around 130 - 140 degrees. It should be a bit warmer but perhaps I have too large a cooler when not towing the trailer. Anyway 130 is better than 100.

79Silv4x4 · 08-19-2005, 10:50 AM

I recently bought this but have not yet had the time to install it.

08-18-2005, 01:20 AM	#1
steve k. Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 26	transmission cooler and pan recomendations? To increase the cooling for my transmission i want to go to a larger pan. Is there any recomendation on the brand. i've looked through catalogs and all cast alluminum pans look the same with prices ranging from $90 for Summit pan to $130 for Hughes. What's the difference? Both are finned and both hold 2 extra quarts. I also need recomendation on the transmission cooler. The truck is a 1981 C30 used for towing a race car. Total weight of car and trailer is about 3500lb. thanks for your advice. steve k.

08-18-2005, 08:31 AM	#3
1987 Shortwide Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 610	I'll have to check what brand aluminum pan I've got on mine... I'm really happy with it. I went down to my tranny shop and had them get me the most heavy duty cooler they carry. It came with female A/N ends, which worked perfectly because my trans lines are steel braided with A/N fittings on both ends. No leaks and a great look, not to mention very hassle free. __________________ ~Steve~ Friesen High Performance Auto and Graphics Toy: 87 Shortwide, 406 smallblock with a little boost My 87 buildup Daily Driver: 99 Sierra SLE 4X4. Black on Black and harder than hell to keep clean.

08-19-2005, 10:16 AM	#4
daveM Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Edmonton, Alberta Canada Posts: 30	i just put a Mr Transmission cooler on my '87 TH400 trani. The big cooler out of the 3 listed on the box. I also pull a 3500 lb trailer. No problem. Maybe runs at 190 when pulling the trailer. No trailer, -had a problem. Maybe 105, 110 degrees. This was with the trani cooler only. Not connected to the rad. What I had to do was run the trani oil through the cooler... this from my previous testing brought the fluid down to around 100 degrees. I then took it from the cooler to the Rad Cooler which then heats the fluid up a bit. Trani now runs around 130 - 140 degrees. It should be a bit warmer but perhaps I have too large a cooler when not towing the trailer. Anyway 130 is better than 100. __________________ __________________ Dave '87 Chevy Pickup (Nice) '75 CB750K Four Honda (beautiful) Quiet (stock exhaust) Till you get on it then she... Sounds Like a Porsche Last edited by daveM; 08-19-2005 at 10:18 AM. Reason: error in message

08-19-2005, 10:50 AM	#5
79Silv4x4 Workaholic Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Katy, TX Posts: 1,589	I recently bought this but have not yet had the time to install it. Attached Images

08-18-2005, 05:40 AM	#2
Mike76251 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 2,499	I don't like deeper pans cause they hang down too low. I also don't like Aluminum pans because they are not as strong as a steel pan should that rock fly up and hit them. As far as a cooler.......get B&M's largest (28,000gvw...I think). The cooler and it's lines will give you more fluid in the system so you might not need a deeper pan anyway. I mounted my B&M cooler in front of my AC condensor with flat steel bar. I don't trust plastic tie thingys. I also used 1/2" stainless for the lines. All the rubber hoses I have tried leaked soon after installation.



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.