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Old Mar 15, 2010 | 01:05 PM
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Default Transmission Temps

I just wanted to get an idea of what normal trans temps are in these cars. I installed a huge tranny cooler last summer after buying my car and reading about all trans problems they seem to have.

Up until last week, I never had a way of reading trans temp, but now I have a scan gauge that does show it. So far, here is what I've been seeing:

In town, outside temp 70 degrees, trans temp is 150-155.
Flat steady highway, outside temp 70 degrees, trans is 155.
Long steep grades like the I5 Grapevine and I10 Chiriaco Grade in 70 degree temps, the trans runs at about 165-168 at a 75 Mph cruise.

I know these are good, low temps, but I'm curious to know what others are sewing.

Can you post some temps with driving situations, and whether or not you have a cooler?
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Old Mar 15, 2010 | 01:49 PM
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Mine stays around 190-200 in 70+ weather... 170 is low for my car.
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Old Mar 15, 2010 | 02:03 PM
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i've had mine up around 225 acouple of times.. damn thing wont let go, i need an excuse to tell the gf why i need it built lol
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Old Mar 15, 2010 | 02:09 PM
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Originally Posted by JP_GXP
Mine stays around 190-200 in 70+ weather... 170 is low for my car.
Originally Posted by StealthV8
i've had mine up around 225 acouple of times.. damn thing wont let go, i need an excuse to tell the gf why i need it built lol
Do you guys have aftermarket tranny coolers?
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Old Mar 15, 2010 | 02:33 PM
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No sir i do not, i was really expecting my trans to go before the warrenty but no luck haha. The car is only a weekend warrior so whenever i go out i drive hard and its usually around 200 average
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Old Mar 15, 2010 | 02:38 PM
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I don't either, but my trans has been on the fritz.
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Old Mar 15, 2010 | 03:05 PM
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So, from what y'all are saying, the temps I'm seeing are on the low side, which is good, because the tranny doesn't show any sign of problems. I know they can go suddenly, but I hope the low temps and generally good health of my tranny means it lasts for a while.

Last edited by LS1 Racing; Mar 15, 2010 at 03:15 PM.
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Old Mar 15, 2010 | 03:08 PM
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Yes, those are low.
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Old Mar 15, 2010 | 04:20 PM
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Real low from what most other experience. Mine ranges from 185 - 225 depending on the time of the year and how far the ride is. These transmissions suck. Your torque converter still must be good. Those seem to go fast and if you don't catch it in time it makes the whole trans. bad. You'll probably experience high temps at some point.

-Mike
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Old Mar 15, 2010 | 04:47 PM
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Originally Posted by Mgpeagle
Real low from what most other experience. Mine ranges from 185 - 225 depending on the time of the year and how far the ride is. These transmissions suck. Your torque converter still must be good. Those seem to go fast and if you don't catch it in time it makes the whole trans. bad. You'll probably experience high temps at some point.

-Mike
So, the converter goes, and takes the trans with it?

Should I go with an aftermarket converter now, before the stock one goes? I've wanted to go with a tighter converter to get rid of the factory slop. This would be a good excuse to replace it
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Old Mar 15, 2010 | 05:18 PM
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Well replacing it is up to you. Here is a good place to start. The one all the way at the bottom will fit a 245mm & 258mm flexplate. It is an actual 245mm tc and weighs about 6 lbs less. With less weight things tend to last a little longer. I just went with one of thier reman's from Precision.

http://www.tripleedgeperformance.com...onverters.html

-Mike
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Old Mar 15, 2010 | 05:28 PM
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Originally Posted by Mgpeagle
Well replacing it is up to you. Here is a good place to start. The one all the way at the bottom will fit a 245mm & 258mm flexplate. It is an actual 245mm tc and weighs about 6 lbs less. With less weight things tend to last a little longer. I just went with one of thier reman's from Precision.

http://www.tripleedgeperformance.com...onverters.html

-Mike
Thanks for the link! Is there any choice on stall for the remans? For me, tighter than stock is preferred.
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Old Mar 15, 2010 | 05:42 PM
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Well the factory stall is between 2650 - 2950 already. I am sure you can purchase whatever stall you'd like. You'll have to e-mail Dave and get some info from him. I'd stick close to stock because the remans and aftermarket convs. are usually a lot tighter than the ones the car comes with. My Raptor is a pretty tight converter but the stall is a 2800. (These go bad fast, so don't get one...) Much tighter than stock even know the stall is quite close.

A shift kit will make the trans slop be a lot less too. If you are going to do the t.c then do a shift kit too. There is a TransGo shift kit thread on here somewhere.

-Mike
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Old Mar 15, 2010 | 05:44 PM
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Oh, and I run 2 motorhome coolers and do not come close to the temps you run. I hope and pray that changes with the new t.c., trans. and tune I just purchased.

-Mike
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Old Mar 15, 2010 | 06:51 PM
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LS1 Racing: What kind of cooler do you have? B&M?
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Old Mar 15, 2010 | 07:17 PM
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^^ part number to PLEASE
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Old Mar 15, 2010 | 07:27 PM
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I just bought a B&M cooler. I'll be putting it on soon.

The only time I logged my trans temps, it was hovering around 210 degrees in town.
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Old Mar 15, 2010 | 08:08 PM
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Originally Posted by CenTexSS
I just bought a B&M cooler. I'll be putting it on soon.

The only time I logged my trans temps, it was hovering around 210 degrees in town.
You got a part number for the one you bought?
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Old Mar 15, 2010 | 10:18 PM
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I don't have a trans temp gauge on mine, but I went with the finned aluminum pan by ZZP. Plus it has a drain plug.

According to Intense Racing though, coolers don't seem to help these transmissions from breaking. They stated that hard parts are what breaks in these. But, I do figure every little bit helps.

You can read more what they said here (scroll down about half-way):

http://www.intense-racing.com/techtips.shtml
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Old Mar 15, 2010 | 10:24 PM
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Correct, sir. From what I've seen in our cars it's the Converter that's letting go first.
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