I’m getting ready to change the fluid & filter on my ‘00 Z28 and I’m thinking about draining the pan into a bucket by attaching a length of hose to the hard return line. What size hose do I need, 3/8? In the past I’ve sucked the fluid out of the dipstick tube with a hand pump but that takes a relatively long amount of time and effort.

 

I really do not suggest doing this, As for whatever time you have it running parts will be turning with no lube and pump will take on air and slide may bounce all arround and even shatter or break. Just my thoughts,
Personally I would order this pan for next time its good quality solid oem style with good drain plug I put on all my units and do it old way this time and install that pan for next time.
Just my thoughts on the matter

 

Yes, this is a good time to swap to a new pan with a drain plug.
Personally I keep a couple HF "Multi-Use Transfer Pump" handy - one for trans fluid, one for radiator fluid, etc. Barely takes 3 minutes to drain the trans pan. They are often on sale at HF for $5. Currently on Amazon for $15 but of course that includes shipping. Most auto parts store have them too.

 

I bet it’s a good ten minutes or more with the one that I’ve been using. I have to neck it down from a big hose to a small hose and it takes a fair amount of effort to pump it. It takes so much pressure to pump it through that long skinny hose that it tries to blow the big hose out from the pump. It sucks, but not too fast and ez.
The skinny hose isn’t pictured.

The Ten Minute Hand Pump.

 

When I suck the fluid out of the pan via the dipstick nearly four quarts comes out. You don’t think it’d be safe having the return line emptying into a measuring bucket and shutting it off once it got a little over three quarts out with one person watching the bucket and the other at the key?
The pan is listed for a Silverado and some of the reviewers said that it didn’t fit various 4l60e’s. You use this one on F bodies?

 

Yes I use it one every build as all get a new pan, Only thing i have seen it not fit is a colarado where the pan and vb are cut to clear the front drive shaft,
To date none has had any isssue with them and they are solid not thin of flimsey at all.
I have one of them on my impala ss also. And yes several camaro firebird people no issues,
And up to you on that method to empty but bear in mind things are still turning and with return line unhooked nothings getting lube, Will it be ok yes probably , But I am a murphys law kinda guy lol.

 

That amazon pan will fit any 4L60E series transmission. It does require the 2004 & up deep pan filter that has the notch in it for the newest design pan with the integral dip stick stop. If its used on older units the dip stick stop needs to be removed.
F-body cars don't always have the deep pan for road clearance. adding the deep pan with the drain plug in this aftermarket location makes it have even less clearance. The OE drain plug is in the big dimple that is still stamped into this pan. that allows the hex of the drain plug to be hidden from the pan bottom, allowing for that additional clearance.

 

So it’s a 3/8?

 

Yes, 1996 and newer 4L60E's have 3/8" cooling lines.

 

Yes I like the pan it thus far has not encountered any issues with clearance . I like that the rear is more shallow close to that of a shallow pan so it clears where the cross member goes just under pan , It works well in both the 4l60e and 700r4 Using the late truck filter for the 4l60e and simply adding an additional seal to the 700r4 filter sets the filter right on bottom of pan. To date no ones had any complaint about it , Did have one guy drop his trans on the ground and bent the drain area up. But was easy fix. Unlike the stock it also fully drains the pan.
So I have been pleased and for the price cant beat it, Its not flimsey like many of the aftermmarket pans are and well worth the 38 dollars to avoid trying to clean up and many times repair the stock pan . Particulary here in NE PA as many pans are badly rusted too.
But off topic. Just another suggestion, If you do pump fluids trans or other out through tube on any regular basis this little guy works real well and is handy to have , It and some clear 5/16 or 3/8 plastic tubing(cold not hot) from hardware store makes quick work of it. I use one of them to pump used fluid through a large desiel fuel filter to clean it so can mix with kerosine and heat my garage, saves me a small fortune in heating cost and lets me get rid of the oil collected from cores and carry in units to be built. I mix 25 trans to 75 kero works well with little odor and burns alot hotter again sorry off topic tangent I am bad for that.

 

Silly question.. Is the return line is the line running to the top port on the radiator? I should’ve crawled under and looked before I bought some 3/8” tube because I don’t think it’s going to work. In my minds eye I was thinking I’d be able to stick the 3/8” tube over the hard line. Where is this guy talking about disconnecting a hose clamp? Post # 10Post 10

Return line?