Banks transmission pans to reduce trans fluid temperature- thoughts?

GON

GON

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Just watched a video by Dave's automotive in Centerville, UT. I enjoy their videos and how they run their shop. Dave's has a machine shop on-site and is Utah's largest engine rebuilder.

Dave's posted a video on the Bank's transmission pan as being an alternative to increasing the size of a transmission cooler to keep transmission fluid temperatures down while towing. I was caught a bit surprised by this, and wondered if a "heat sink" transmission pan and an extra quart of fluid really made a difference. These pans can cost close to $500 USD after taxes.

Thoughts/ comments:

https://bankspower.com/products/tra...yJwhcW9xFkuQ4vMspz290PaPICpsVWou58P6j3FMLFpwx


banks-adds-oil-transmission-pans-for-duramax-trucks-2024-10-22_13-24-47_029291.webp
 
It would do a little. The extra quart would add some thermal inertia if you're doing something stupid for a couple minutes then driving sedately. I think you'd get better cooling with a radiator-vicinity cooler that sees the fan.

That thing looks like it's high on the bling-factor as well, so it would be marketed to those chads with lifted trucks so they can show something off underneath.
 
Modern trucks need no additional cooling. If you are driving something 20 years old-yea you may need additional cooling. But this pan will not help much.
 
Every pro has a con.

That same pan will take longer for the trans fluid to get up to temp, or stay at temp in short distances or really cold ambient temps.

I don't see how a larger pan would have any benefit over supplemental coolers. The entire topic comes down to the rate of thermal exchange and capacity. There's often more than one road to the same destination.

Not worth the coin if you ask me; the marginal benefit would be VERY hard to get a decent ROI.
 
i have a mag hytec pan on my truck, same principal. it lowered my temps by about 10 degrees (completely different truck and transmission so YMWV). i didn’t do it for temps i did it to add fluid capacity.
 
There is something to be said about thermal inertia with added capacity, my PPE Trans pan adds 4 quarts to the total capacity. Other added bonus is a nice magnetic drain plug (no more spill and fills) plus finned aluminium does transfer heat better than stamped steel.

The aftermarket engine oil pans offer similar advantages and they can drain more thoroughly since they get rid of the horrible factory drain plug port. I would put an aftermarket engine pan on my truck but it's about 8 hours labor to have it done. I could do it myself but that 8 hours would turn into 16 hours in my driveway.
pan2.webp
 
I must add that my transmission has a thermostat so it will get to the same temp as before, (185 to 190 F) but it takes longer to get there. Now, once it does get up to temp I don't see temperature swings like I used to.

If I want to lower temps on longer than my average 40 minute drive to work and back I would need to install a transmission fluid thermal bypass valve but I don't know if that would bring the temps down to far during the Michigan winter months.
 
I mainly bought my PPE 10R80 pan for the drain plug, however, it did drop temps right around 10 degrees. It also takes a little longer for the trans to come up to temp.

I regularly run around 190 driving unloaded and between 200-210 loaded. I've got data graphs around here somewhere of a before and after towing.
 
It's not really a question if the Banks pan will reduce temps; it probably will. But the question is whether it's worth $500, when a supplemental trans cooler can be had for $100 or so, and yet achieve the same thermal effect? Is it worth paying 5x the money to get similar/same performance? Not a good ROI if you ask me.

And the added capacity is only really effective if you run a UOA (several, actually) and that added capacity somehow equates to a longer OCI for the trans fluid. Given the penchant of the average BITOG to change oil way too early anyway, the added capacity is also a false benefit.
 
ctechbob said:
I mainly bought my PPE 10R80 pan for the drain plug, however, it did drop temps right around 10 degrees. It also takes a little longer for the trans to come up to temp.

I regularly run around 190 driving unloaded and between 200-210 loaded. I've got data graphs around here somewhere of a before and after towing.
Click to expand...

You could be 10 degrees more than what you quoted (or higher) and its a non issue. Yes-the drain plug is nice.

And please-to everyone-let's not post that propaganda transmission temperature chart that's been floating around since Al Gore invented the Internet.
 
GON said:
Just watched a video by Dave's automotive in Centerville, UT. I enjoy their videos and how they run their shop. Dave's has a machine shop on-site and is Utah's largest engine rebuilder.

Dave's posted a video on the Bank's transmission pan as being an alternative to increasing the size of a transmission cooler to keep transmission fluid temperatures down while towing. I was caught a bit surprised by this, and wondered if a "heat sink" transmission pan and an extra quart of fluid really made a difference. These pans can cost close to $500 USD after taxes.

Thoughts/ comments:

https://bankspower.com/products/tra...yJwhcW9xFkuQ4vMspz290PaPICpsVWou58P6j3FMLFpwx


View attachment 251102
Click to expand...

What's the current temperatureook like?
 
GON said:
Just watched a video by Dave's automotive in Centerville, UT. I enjoy their videos and how they run their shop. Dave's has a machine shop on-site and is Utah's largest engine rebuilder.

Dave's posted a video on the Bank's transmission pan as being an alternative to increasing the size of a transmission cooler to keep transmission fluid temperatures down while towing. I was caught a bit surprised by this, and wondered if a "heat sink" transmission pan and an extra quart of fluid really made a difference. These pans can cost close to $500 USD after taxes.

Thoughts/ comments:

https://bankspower.com/products/tra...yJwhcW9xFkuQ4vMspz290PaPICpsVWou58P6j3FMLFpwx


View attachment 251102
Click to expand...

This is not the transmission pan, it is the engine oil pan for a Duramax.

But to the question......if it can be done, Banks can do it. IMO.
 
That seems like larger net fins than most I have seen - these things seem to start at $300 so not surprised what banks is asking …
This site is not the average crowd they sell to - likely to have a large TruCool already - some of the mods these torque monsters run cost what your Corolla did … Niche market stuff …
Like the Wrangler crowd, only more testosterone 😷
 
Last edited:
4WD said:
That seems like larger net fins than most I have seen - these things seem to start at $300 so not surprised what banks is asking …
This site is not the average crowd they sell to - likely to have a large TruCool already - some of the mods these torque monsters run cost what your Corolla did …
Niche market stuff …
Like the Wrangler crowd, only more testosterone 😷
Click to expand...
mall crawlers and super mall crawlers
 
CKN said:
You could be 10 degrees more than what you quoted (or higher) and its a non issue. Yes-the drain plug is nice.

And please-to everyone-let's not post that propaganda transmission temperature chart that's been floating around since Al Gore invented the Internet.
Click to expand...

Maybe, maybe not. I prefer to stay under 210 at all times. The fluid for sure is fine at those temps.

I'm not convinced that higher temps are not at least some of the problem with CDF bushings. That and an unstable case due to the plastic pans.
 
ctechbob said:
I mainly bought my PPE 10R80 pan for the drain plug, however, it did drop temps right around 10 degrees. It also takes a little longer for the trans to come up to temp.

I regularly run around 190 driving unloaded and between 200-210 loaded. I've got data graphs around here somewhere of a before and after towing.
Click to expand...
How does it clear with the cross over pipe ? been hearing some clash - in the meantime my $20 B&M plug and $10 for header tape will have to suffice …
 
4WD said:
How does it clear with the cross over pipe ? been hearing some clash - in the meantime my $20 B&M plug and $10 for header tape will have to suffice …
Click to expand...
Lol, I don't have that. :) I only have 4 cylinders to play with. Replacing my trans pan is just removing the trans pan bolts and putting the new one on.
 
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