Just ordered Magnefine

[Matt_S]

After much hemming and hawing, I did it. I've been looking to clean up the fluid in my 4T65E and decided to give this a shot. Darrell has been helpful and prompt in responding to my questions. I figure, worst case, the fluid still looks a bit dirty, but at least I know all the iron particles are getting filtered out.

Interestingly enough, it seems that external transmission coolers aren't recommended for the 4T65E. From the Intense Racing site:

quote:

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Should I run a tranny cooler?

Only if you're planning to pull a trailer through the mountains. Otherwise, we recommend against it on vehicles with the 3800 FWD/4T65E drivetrain.

We have dissected more of these trannies than anyone else in the performance aftermarket, and we have yet to see a single heat-related failure. Hard parts break in these trannies, and these failures will not be prevented by a tranny cooler.

Tranny coolers add unnecessary weight and opportunities for fittings to leak. A leaking fitting can let your tranny run dry in minutes and ruin it far faster than a little heat ever could.

Our trannies are cooled by the same radiator used to cool the engine. So running a colder engine thermostat will make both your engine and your tranny run cooler.

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[mstrjon32]

I'm going to be ordering the Magnefine for my monte soon, too. After my rebuild, I still see some **** floating around in there when I wipe the dipstick, and its getting under my skin, I want that **** filtered out of there.

As for Intense, I think they are full of crap. The higher the temperature in the transmission, the faster the clutches are going to wear, especially under heavy loads and hard driving and towing (if any), so it definitely can't hurt to have the transmission cooler. I've got the biggest one I could find (11"x11" stacked plate) on mine.

 

[Matt_S]

Cool, a fellow Monte owner.

Yeah, my fluid's been dirty since day 1. If the Magnefine doesn't do the trick, the only other option is a bypass filter. I'm hopeful, though.

I was a little skeptical about Intense's position on trans coolers. After all, the transmissions they see are going to be from racers and other people that abuse the heck out them. I think it's no wonder they're seeing hard part failures. You're probably right that a cooler can't hurt, unless you have a plumbing failure, but there's so much to spend my money on right now.

 

[Bio-T]

I am using the Magnefine in-line filter on the return line on my 00 Mazda and on my 01 4R100 Ford F-250. I had considered a bypass on both of these vehicles, but the Magnefine is doing the job. I will change them out at 30K miles and take apart to see. I have seen pictures of others that have run them and they do work great. They took them apart after use. What the magnet does not stop, the filter in the Magnefine will.

 

[Matt_S]

That's good to hear, Vetteman. As I said, I'm hopeful, but I'm still from Missouri at this point, if you know what I mean. I can say that I've never seen anything negative and the fact that Ford requires them on certain trans rebuilds and has an OEM part number for them also means something.

The only thing I'm still agonizing over is my choice of fluid. Do I stick with the ole tried and true M1, give RP a shot or try Amsoil? If I do Amsoil, do I order from Pablo or buy local (cost is a wash, local gives immediate satisfaction, but it's good to support site members). Do I just want to use a good dino and change it more often, which I'll probably be doing anyway? I tell ya', this site has sure gotten to me. I have the sickness.

 

[Bio-T]

Matt,

I am from southern Missouri, (Arkansas), and I am a real skeptic also. So I have to prove things for myself. If you don't decide to use synthetic fluid, I would take a look at the Schaeffer's trans fluid. Very high rated and I have never heard of a complaint. Personally I use RP in both trucks, Mobil I in my Mazda, and Amsoil in my daughters Mazda.

Another site sponsor for your filter needs: http://emergingent.com/subpage1Magnefine.htm

 

[Matt_S]

Well, wish me luck. I picked up 8 bottles of M1 ATF from Murrays (decided to go with the ole' standby, boring as that may be) and ordered an AC Delco filter kit. The Magnefine came yesterday (2 days after ordering

). I even double checked the cooler line to be sure I got the right size (GM has the line size printed right on the rubber portion, who'd 'a thunk it). The filter kit should arrive Saturday. I'll be posting back.

 

[Matt_S]

I did the work yesterday. The Magnefine went on easily. I wound up removing the air dam and installing it from below, which gave me very easy access to the cooler lines. I took it for a quick test run afterwards, before the pan drop. No leaks and it didn't affect the trans at all, which is good.

Next, I did a regular pan drop with new filter. The inside of the pan wasn't looking as bad as I expected. I put everything back together and added the new M1 fluid, then had to leave for a barbeque an hour away. The car shifted fine, which it always has, and had real good power on the freeway. After the drive, the fluid was so clean that I'm having trouble checking the level. I have to bend and stretch to get the angle just right so I can see the light reflecting off the fluid.

What's cooler is there are no black streaks on the paper towel when I wipe the dipstick, which has always been a problem. As long as it stays that way, I'll be a very happy camper.