sirmares2000

I've just installed a Tci 3500,with a 16000gvw cooler,in a 2002 ws6 TA.The gauge got up to 210f,is that too hot for a 4l60e?On the highway it goes about 180f,but when I start city driving the temp goes up rapidly to 210f,Do I need a larger trans cooler ,or would it be better to add a deep pan,or both?

blkZ28spt

I would go with the 24k gvw. I think that is what most people get. I see ~150-180* on the highway as well, but I have only seen 200*+ maybe twice, under extreme stop and go situations. 210* won't fry it, but is not good for it. I am under the impression that ~220* is the limit and once you pass that you may want to consider shutting the car off to let it cool and DEFINATELY don't punch it.

GM Muscle

iTrader: (9)

Where is your cooler mounted, does it get sufficient air flow? You might want to consider getting one of those coolers with a fan mounted on it if you don't think it's getting enough air flow. I have my cooler mounted right behind the nostril in my grill. In the summer on the highway I have never seen over 150* and in traffic it has gotten up to 200* on the hottest day. If I remember right my cooler is only a 16 or 18k.

96redformula

agreed, go with the bigger tranny cooler.

Kenafin_02TA

The only time I've seen 200 is when I was throwing a P0757 code and didn't have all the gears....normally I'll see anywhere from 130-180...depending on if it's highway...traffic lights...stop and go traffic...etc. I forget what size cooler I have...but it's the largest size Hayden sells. I've also got the deep pan.

Another question for you...when you're driving around town...what gear do you have the car in? When I know I'm not going to be hitting highway speeds...I'll put the car in 3rd (D for the camaro folks) and let the convertor lock. I've got it set to lock 40-45ish. I usually do that because if I kept her in drive (OD for camaro) she'll often shift into 4th, but I won't reach high enough speed to lock the convertor (50ish). If I happen to get up highway speeds, I just bump her up into 4th then. I've noticed the temps can build quickly when the convertor isn't locked...but will drop rather quickly once it is.

SmokingWS6

iTrader: (1)

I wonder if you might have other problems. I've never seen mine go over 150

WJ SOM SS

iTrader: (11)

The deep, extra capacity, finned aluminum pans work very well. I have the TCI, + 2qt. model. Many people, who have FTRA setups, etc., are mounting their trans coolers where they won't do much good in traffic, and in the staging lanes at the track.... Be smart. Like She said: Drive around town in "Drive" w/a stall converter....and don't hot-lap your car at the track---cool it down between passes. Getting caught in traffic.....there's not much you can do about that....maybe a remote fan switch to run your fans continuously. Cars are gonna heat up fast in traffic....unless you want to invest in the big Be-Kool or extra capacity SLP radiator and a electric water pump.....$$$. Bottom line is: If that transmission fluid gets real hot, go easy till it's cooled down. WJ

rufretic

iTrader: (37)

All I have to cool my tranny is the 24,000 b&m cooler mounted in front of the radiator. My trans temp is always right around 140. I have only seen it get up to 180 a few times in the summer when I'm pounding on it. I have a vig 3800 stall so I would think if it keeps my tranny cool, then it should work pretty well for you too.

WJ SOM SS

iTrader: (11)

Correct, right in front of the radiator is the best place for a trans cooler, but many of the people here are running some sort of ramair setup (such as FTRA, Austin Performance, SLP, etc.) which prohibits transmission cooler mounting in front of the radiator, which presents a potential fresh air and cooling problem FOR the transmission cooler, so alternative methods for transmission cooling are then pursued.... WJ

SmokingWS6

iTrader: (1)

Forgot to mention my fans are almost always on the low setting. I have a 160* thermo and fans set to come on at 174 so during summer months they never shut off, this helps to keep my trans temps below 150.

gwj

It will make some difference whether you have the cooler pre-radiator or post-radiator, as far as plumbing the lines. I run mine post radiator in the summer (maximum cooling) and pre radiator in the winter (trans warms up quicker).

sirmares2000

The cooler is mounted in front of radiator,and the car hasn't been tuned yet either.While car is getting tuned can they set the fans to come on earlier?I always drive the car in D,4th gear(Trans Am),today the car never got hotter than 180F,but it was very cool today(50F).But I'm in SouthTx where in the summertime it gets pretty hot in the summer(90+).

DeepBlueZ

agreed, mine hovers around 125 in this cold weather, 150 or so in the spring and 165 or so in the summer....

i made 9 dyno pulls on it, then drove the crap out of it to check on my tune back in july and it only hit 180.

Debian Dog

I will see 210 on the hottest of days in heavy traffic... but I have the FTRA problem. This summer I went ahead and demmeled a small flap in the ram-air column so it forces it thru the tranny cooler. This of course does no good, stuck in beach traffic.

The good news, is once I get moving again it cools down pretty fast. With Virginia "winter" here I cannot remember the last time I saw 180. If I remember my chart, things do not start to break down till 240... but you do not want to be driving around with 220.

gwj

Yeah, I hear you where the cooler is mounted, mine is the same. What I meant was whether you have the cooler plumbing on the top radiator line (return to trans) or the bottom radiator line (input to radiator). You will get more cooling effect plumbing between the top radiator fitting and line, because that places the aftermarket cooler AFTER the trans cooler in your radiator. If plumbed into the bottom radiator fitting, that places the cooler BEFORE the cooler in your radiator, which still helps, but will not cool quite as efficiently because the radiator will keep the temp elevated to a certain point (not too bad a thing in cold weather maybe-not so much cold thick fluid trying to circulate for a longer period of time 'til warm up).
That's my opinion, FWIW.

sirmares2000

I finally added the +3qt BM pan,and also BM racing cooler,my fans on the pcm were set to come on a 210,that is why it would get warm.My fans are set to come on at 174 now.The trans hasn't been over 160 since all the changes,even when i'm getting on it.

ShadowLightCSU

iTrader: (1)

Where's the best deal on gauges and a pod?

DeepBlueZ

from what i've seen, gauges usually don't differentiate more than a couple dollars from place place so you can pretty much pick anywhere you want.

i have ultra-lite gauges, the 2 1/16" electrical trans temp was about 45 dollars. a single pod is about $15 and a dual pod goes for about $20.

FBDYLVR

iTrader: (14)

A question from a LS1 newbie, I just installed my B&M Super Cooler 24k GVW, (actually took it off my thirdgen) and I noticed the trans cooler gets HOT (to the touch) REALLY FAST (less than 2 min of engine idling). My thirdgen never got this hot. Do the 4L60Es really run that hot?