Adding a trans filter on Nissan

[aualtima3.5]

So, I read up for about an hour on adding a filter to my 4sp auto (FWD altima 3.5). Supposedly this transmission has no filter, besides a small screen.

My plan is to add a a cooler and tran filter kit, perhaps this one: http://www.jegs.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_10001_10002_748665_-1_10535 , but I don't know if this kit has a bypass in it. I kept seeing that 15psi seemed to be an important number in alot of posts.

Now, my catch: I do ALOT of short trips. I am talking exclusively 1-3 miles of driving per trip during the week, some highway on the weekend.

So would adding a filter just reduce flow if it is bypass alot? Is that kit above ok to use, or is there something else i should do?

 

[MonumentOiler]

I think we keep seeing 15 psi because that is a standard bypass value for hydraulic filter heads in general.

Why do you want to run a cooler ? Is your altima heavily modified ? Does it have an in-radiator trans cooler ?

A large filter will add some extra fluid capacity and some cooling surface so unless you are really worried about temps it could be enough.

A filter will not reduce flow. The full flow ones that have been discussed the most like the Filtration Products head available at Northern Tool are rated at 20 gallons per minute. Try and imagine the flow of water you would need from a garden hose to fill four 5 gallon buckets in one minute. The transmission is not going to be close to that.

For short trips your transmission fluid is never going to get to up to operating temp. For highway driving you should have good cooling and the torque converter locked making conditions easy on the fluid. Extended start-stop driving is hardest on transmissions.

The permacool filter looks OK although a little pricey when compared with the Northern tool filter mentioned on the Trans filter thread.

 

[aualtima3.5]

The car is pretty stock, but I do drive it hard sometimes. This transmission is pretty weak from what I have heard. The car also does alot of extended in gear idling in traffic, so I thought a cooler would be a good idea. I was thinking a stacked plate cooler by B&M. I am more concerned with filtering though. What Nissan has stock is a screen, which I hardly see sufficient.

So the 20 GPM filter would be good? 14 bucks is really cheap! I still would need hose and fittings. I searched northern tools and found some 3/4in npt->barb fittings ( http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/s..._-Search%20Page ) but it doesn't specify the barb diameter.

Also, where can I get hose? Thanks!

 

[Gary Allan]

You want a reducer bushing to 1/4" ..then get hose barbs appropriate for your trans cooler hose. McMaster is your friend for the hose barbs. The Home Depot has steel for your reducers. If you want alloy ..go back to McMaster.com.

I'll assume you have 5/16 trans line ..perhaps 3/8. Some transhops use 11/32 to cover both

 

[unDummy]

Nissans tend to run the transmissions hot. HP/weight has gone up through the roof over the years. I remember when the Stanza had ~90hp and the Maxima had ~150hp. Basically the same transmission, but upgraded over the years, now has to handle 250+ hp! And we wonder why many break or run hot?

The above perma-cool kit would be perfect. Transdapt and B&M sell the same basic thing. What I like about these ATF filter kits is that they can just about use ANY 3/4" Ford, Toyota, Dodge oil filter. And, if you use a big 2-quart filter, you could probably avoid even needing an extra ATF cooler. The extra sump size will help control temp spikes.

Has anyone x-referenced the Northern tool filter for replacements? What Wix, Fram, or Purolater PN's can be used for that hydraulic filter mount?

If you want to piece your own ATF filter, just look for any ph8a-type remote oil filter mounts. This way you won't pay the premium for the complete permacool kit, and still have access to any brand/size oil filter you want!

 

[Gary Allan]

The Northerntool mount is s 1-12 thread, 2.8/2.4 gasket, 3.6"D/5.x"L size filter.

Here's a common one from Wix

Part Number: 51551
UPC Number: 765809515512
Principal Application: Various Hydraulic Applications (10 Micron)
All Applications
Style: Spin-On Hydraulic Filter
Service: Hydraulic
Type: Full Flow
Media: Paper
Height: 5.209
Outer Diameter Top: 3.663
Outer Diameter Bottom: Closed
Thread Size: 1-12
By-Pass Valve Setting-PSI: None
Beta Ratio: 2/20=5/13
Burst Pressure-PSI: 380
Max Flow Rate: 12-16 GPM
Nominal Micro Rating: 10

Gasket Diameters
Number O.D. I.D. Thk.
Attached 2.729 2.415 0.255

About twice as fine as your average automotive filter. Although the filters won't be (typically) as cheap as a PH8A type, they have a long service life. Some have bypass valves - but those appear for motor oil/engines and not hydraulic applications..