LS4 Performance - Tranny fluid change

Just got the 07 SS inspected at the dealer. It passed just fine (even with CAI and down pipe mods). Dealer called to say it needed tranny fluid change, said fluid was oxidized ( car has 60,000 miles) they wanted $120. I said, maybe another time. I checked the fluid myself and it was in fact showing signs of wear, it was no longer bright red, but getting dull and dark. So I head to the parts store and buy 8 quarts of Dextron VI , takes about 7.5 quarts for a change(yikes $6.99 a quart!) and a filter ($15). So with tax, I am out the door for $77. (I remember when tranny fluid was a couple bucks a quart but now we have synthetic). I am old, so it took me a couple hours to change the fluid and filter, not hard to do, but messy.
Just wondering about the guys that complain of tranny failures... did you guys ever had your fluid changed? Or is our tranny just hard on fluid??:confused:

I change mine once per year. I got an aluminum finned trans. pan that has a drain plug in it. This makes changing the fluid a breeze. I change the filter every two years. It seems to be a good maintenance schedule for the car. The trans.'s in these cars are very picky. Did you use a full synthetic?

-Mike

Just pick up an 06 gxp with 29k righ before the new year, so I am still a newbie with this car. Seems every guy with an R/T wants to race... I noticed that the trans fluid runs about 150 to 170 during normal driving, but it is still around 30 degrees outside. Will the temp climb during the summer, and what do you think about wrapping exhaust pipe over the trans or a trans cooler? Appriciate any help...

Just pick up an 06 gxp with 29k righ before the new year, so I am still a newbie with this car. Seems every guy with an R/T wants to race... I noticed that the trans fluid runs about 150 to 170 during normal driving, but it is still around 30 degrees outside. Will the temp climb during the summer, and what do you think about wrapping exhaust pipe over the trans or a trans cooler? Appriciate any help...

Expect temperatures over 200°F.

I have wrapped the x-over and it will help with less heat getting to the trans. It doesn't help when it literally sits on top of the transmission. I took mine off, wrapped it and put it back on. I also have a two motorhome trans. coolers mounted in front of the radiator. If you have trans. temps in that range consider yourself very lucky. Most of us run 180 - 230 with normal driving. Of course this depends how hot it is outside and how humid it is too.

You'll be able to take on an R/T as it sits now. Those cars are 4000 lbs where we are 3650 or so. With a few mods you'll be able to keep up with stock SRT-8's. Trust me I know this...

-Mike

Thanks for the info, I will look into a trans cooler and exhaust wrap for sure.

Had one charger try me on the freeway, cruised by him in the left lane around 75 mph, heard him kick down, i did the same. Pulled away ever so slightly...

Expect temperatures over 200°F.

How often do you change you fluid?

The Charger comes with a great engine but the body is too heavy. I would get a trans cooler for sure.

-Mike

I change the fluid once a year and the filter every other year. I have a drain plug in my trans pan though. Seems to be a good schedule for the car.

-Mike

How often do you change you fluid?

I haven't changed it yet. I'm thinking about doing it sometime this year.

It's still under warranty (up to 100,000 miles).

Thanks for the info guys.