Banks transmission pans to reduce trans fluid temperature- thoughts?
- Thread starter GON
- Start date
GON
$150 Site Donor 2025
Last summer I towed an empty enclosed 18 foot trailer empty from Arizona to Washington State with my 2015 F350 6.2l gasser. I was caught be surprise at how hot the transmission fluid became, and the fluctuation in in the transmission fluid. The trans was often running IIRC about 203 degrees, and would jump over 210 degrees on inclines, etc.
After loading the trailer in Washington state for a trip to New Mexico, in an attempt to mitigate the high transmission fluid temperature, I removed nine quarts of the Ford OEM fluid, which was old, and replaced the nine quarts with Luiqimoly Top Tech full synthetic transmission fluid. Although I added five thousand+ pounds of cargo, the transmission fluid temperature reduced a few degrees.
So, I see this video by a shop I think is very profit driven, yet reputable and made me wonder if $500 will reduce the risk of premature transmission failure. I also know that this a huge moneymaker and easy moneymaker for an auto service center. Allows a dealer to sell a product that also forces a fluid exchange, filter replacement, and fluid replacement. Thus, why I posted this question for discussion among the master mind group of BITOG.
4WD
$50 site donor 2025
GON
$150 Site Donor 2025
Yes, the F350 has a drain plug, that is how I removed the nine quarts. I was under time constraints, so though exchanging nine quarts immediately was better than exchanging all the fluid after the 1600-mile trip towing a heavy load through mountains and 110+ weather after the trip was complete.
4WD
$50 site donor 2025
We did a PPE years ago on my non-profit's LMM.
However we did it for a more compelling reason: it keeps the OEM filter from falling out, which WAS happening to us and the truck wouldn't move on cold mornings. This was an Ally-specific weakness.
To be fair, there were also ~$20 filter locks available at the time.
The pan also gives you ports for a temp sensor if so inclined.
Downside -- other than the obvious cost: it's ha-yuuuge and would be horrendous for anything off-road. Ours is a highway tow rig so ground clearance was a distant concern.
I personally like the concept of extra fluid capacity, but this is one time when I figure if it really needed that, the engineers would have done it from the get-go. Also makes spill 'n fills more expensive, and for our application you gotta remember to buy the extended neck filter.
All of this was WAY before irrational-global-panic, so "expensive" was/is relative. Today, wages have not kept pace with the increased prices on this boutique aftermarket stuff.
However we did it for a more compelling reason: it keeps the OEM filter from falling out, which WAS happening to us and the truck wouldn't move on cold mornings. This was an Ally-specific weakness.
To be fair, there were also ~$20 filter locks available at the time.
The pan also gives you ports for a temp sensor if so inclined.
Downside -- other than the obvious cost: it's ha-yuuuge and would be horrendous for anything off-road. Ours is a highway tow rig so ground clearance was a distant concern.
I personally like the concept of extra fluid capacity, but this is one time when I figure if it really needed that, the engineers would have done it from the get-go. Also makes spill 'n fills more expensive, and for our application you gotta remember to buy the extended neck filter.
All of this was WAY before irrational-global-panic, so "expensive" was/is relative. Today, wages have not kept pace with the increased prices on this boutique aftermarket stuff.
Maybe it's old school thinking, but in this vintage book:
https://www.amazon.com/Hotrod-Big-Block-Chevys-John-Thawley/dp/0912656042
I recall reading that capacity doesn't have much cooling effect. It just takes longer for the oil to get to temperature. It's more effective to run an external cooler.
https://www.amazon.com/Hotrod-Big-Block-Chevys-John-Thawley/dp/0912656042
I recall reading that capacity doesn't have much cooling effect. It just takes longer for the oil to get to temperature. It's more effective to run an external cooler.
Das hot. I would probably try cheaper options first. Then if those don't cut it then spend the money for the expensive transmission pan.
More surface area can bleed off heat like adding an external canister filter. Just adding an oil filter and a couple feet of line to my gx390 pressure washer dropped the oil temp by around 20f.
It is a function of volume and flow and more obviously heat in and heat out (cooling)
dnewton3
Staff member
The major light duty truck OEs typically test/rate their transmissions at 250F and spec them for the loads at that sustained sump temp. This was the case way back when I worked at Ford; though I didn't work at a transmission plant, I had access to the whole engineering data system. Further, the trannies can generally survive short bursts up to 275F as long as they don't sit there for long periods. If the sump gets above 275F, the system would set a warning and go into limp mode.
Anything less than 225F is a walk in the park.
Some of you need to get some perspective.
Anything less than 225F is a walk in the park.
Some of you need to get some perspective.
Exactly-the newest Dexron has been tested at 275 degrees with no issues.
That’s all I care about. If it looks cool I gotta have it.
at least you are honest
I was lucky enough to get a deeper pan on my beloved 15 Tacoma. PML was designing a pan so I was able to get a prototype. Gave some photos and a review. Got it for 150.00. It added 2.5 extra qrts. My fluid temps didn’t change much.
"An additional three quarts of capacity, a break-away Ram-Air scoop, and Banks FlowThru Fins™ aid in cooling."
Reeks of bro-science
Reeks of bro-science