Where would you guys recommend installing the sending unit?

I have searched and read too many threads and just want some honest opinions now. What makes the most sense to me is the cooler pressure line leaving the trans and heading to the cooler. I have heard the pressure port doesn't actually see significant trans fluid so it really just gives a case temp reading.

I appreciate the replies

 

I've got mine in the pan

 

My old Th400 I just put it in the side of the case where there was a hole for it. I've heard of people putting it in the pan, the cooler pressure side, etc.

To me, in the case is fine, or in the pan is fine. I don't think I would put it in the pressure side of the cooler line, just because that's one more place that's high pressure that could leak.

In the case or pan it's not exposed to the pressure, making for less chance of a leak, so to me, that makes. more sense.

Overall it's a preferance thing, everyone you talk to will have a different place and a reason for their choice. The temp ga. is just there to maks sure, that you aren't getting it too hot. Doesn't need to be killer accurate, just let you know when the temp's up there so you know to let it cool off for a while.

 

Yeah good point. I'll probably just stick it in the case for ease now and possibly move it to the pan at another time. Thanks.

 

i bought the manifold for mine and plumbed it b/w the transmission and the cooler. It's mounted on the passenger frame rail.

 

The port in the side of the case is more case temp than trans temp, as it gets heat soaked. I prefer the pan.

 

The pan is where the sending unit belongs...
You need to know fluid temps before it goes back into the pump. This is will tell you the efficiency of the cooler.
Installing it elsewhere is like not having a gauge at all.

 

heat rises, if you put it in the pressure line, you will be reading the hottest temp of the fluid. If you put it in the pan, you're getting an average temp of fluid not in circulation. If you put it in the pan, you may have to braise around the sender to seal it. I think the senders are brass, pans tend to be aluminum. don't know how well that works out. I would avoid silicone to make a seal as it could get into the valve body.

 

Brass sending units are tapered pipe thread which requires thread sealant.

FYI hottest the trans fluid will ever be is the cooler line exiting the transmission, as it is right out of the converter.

 

Pan will heak soak as well, so that isn't a 100% checking the fluid temp either.

End of the day no matter where you put the temp sender, it's going to be exposed to some level of heat soak.

 

FYI hottest the trans fluid will ever be is the cooler line exiting the transmission, as it is right out of the converter.

right, that's why mine is on the pressure line and not the return.

 

One on the pressure side, and one on the return (providing both read the same) would be a good way to see if the cooler is effective..

 

i put mine in the drain plug spot

 

yeah this is what i found when searching. i'll just flip a coin

 

I have data logged both the cooler line(hottest point after the converter) and the pan temps... the pan will usually read about 125 degrees less than the cooler and is the correct place to read from if only reading one spot.

 

I'd imagine the pan is recieving cooled fluid from the cooler.

 

Depends on the transmission. 97+ 4L80Es it lubes the rear planets before returning to the pan.

 

interesting.

Is your pan plug hole tapered? mine ain't.

 

I don't think it is. I welded a fitting to the pan for the sending unit.

 

My B&M pan has a tapered bung in the side of it for a temp sender. Put mine there.