Got the TCI 3200 installed a couple days ago so I've been paying close attention to my fluid. The installer put in the converter, topped it off, we went for a lil ride, got back, checked it... It was good. I get home, check it and it's 2" above the hot mark.

So I put my tranny cooler on the next day, topped off the fluid and kept checking it as I let it idle. It kept getting higher and higher. What's the deal? Is it getting too hot and expanding up the dipstick tube? So we hooked my car up to a transmission flush machine and drained some out and got it right on the money on the stick. Drove it some more and checked it and it was a good 2" past the hot mark. It goes from the 80* mark when pretty cool, to 2" past the hot mark when hot. I also noticed some tranny fluid on the bottom of the pan and bell housing but not sure if it's run off or not. I cleaned it up and will look again after some driving. I'm going to take it back to the installer and also get the converter moved over a bolt hole due to vibration but was hoping someone could shine light on why my fluid is fluctuating so bad. TIA

 

fluid expands when hot. You're supposed to check it when hot.

I always allow 5 - 10 minutes between top-offs because it does seem to creep up.

 

I know it does, but when I drive it a couple miles and it's at the warm mark then let it idle for a while without adding anything and it creeps quite a bit past the hot mark it worries me. Also, after driving it when I pull the dipstick out of the tube it sounds like a lot of pressure is being released that I've never noticed before.

 

Is the fluid going into the cooler flowing up or down?

just a thought:

If the inlet is on top and the outlet on bottom fluid level in the pan will increase after shutting the vehicle off.

 

Turn the fans on sooner. I never have heating problems since I got the B&M 24k super-cooler and turn the fans on at 190 degrees.

 

celerityz,
It's pretty normal for the fluid level to creep up a little higher with a high stall converter. As you have surmised, the transmission fluid does run a little hotter when driving around town. I recall an occasion when my ex-wife and myself were riding in my car at the Smoky Mountains. I had just installed my TCI StreetFighter converter a few days before that. After a few minutes, we began to smell transmission fluid. It was coming out of the transmission vent. That's when it dawned on me the importance of having an adequate transmission cooler for vehicles with high stall converters. You're describing something that's normal. As far as the slight vibration that you're describing, make sure that the converter mounting surfaces are clean and have no paint buildups or debris on them. Also make sure to start all three mounting bolts, before tightening them.
Kevin

 

autotap your car if you wanna find out your tranny temp...with a cooler even with the stall you shouldnt be over like 190ish when after a good drive.

lata
bill

 

i'm sure this is not a "solution", only a suggestion.
Do you have the deeper B&M Tranny pan? It holds a couple more quarts & along with the cooler should keep that Verter cooled down. Not to mention it is a very nice piece & there is also a drain plug for easy draining. Just a thought.
BTW, Very nice car.

 

The vibration could be causing the fluid to foam up in the converter. The foam can then displace fluid in the pan. Two inches over "hot" is way too much.

 

Update:

Took it back to the installer. Pulled it in, he went to check the fluid and tranny fluid blew everywhere out of the dipstick tube, including all over him. Put the car up on the lift and he noticed the vent tube to the tranny was kinked in the bracket of the torque arm, it's supposed to run along side it. Easy fix to a potential BIG problem. With the car on the lift we noticed that my cutouts top wing nut was digging into the floor board. So with that turned the vibration is gone. Me = Happy The converter feels great btw.

 

Glad to hear it's working out good.
Now get some track times.

 

that was a sneaky problem, good catch