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Overcooling Transmission

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Old Dec 8, 2012 | 06:02 PM
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Default Overcooling Transmission

Is it possible to overcool your transmission? When its under 50* out, mine takes about thirty minutes to hit and hold 115* on the highway. Around town it takes forever to warm up and then never breaks 150*.
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Old Dec 8, 2012 | 06:58 PM
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At the risk of starting a wrestling match, continuous operation at 115° is likely too cool for optimal 4L60E/6L80E functionality and Dexron-VI tribology IMHO.

I typically replicate the OE cooling circuit of integral radiator tank to aftermarket (freestanding) oil-to-air heat exchanger, and then back to the transmission.
Winters in L.A. aren't too harsh though!

reference:
http://www.archivedsites.com/techlin...ink_May_09.pdf
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Old Dec 8, 2012 | 07:27 PM
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Mine never breaks 150 with the tru cool. I'm glad .

When it's cold just use your head and let your stuff run a bit before ya beat on it, always works for me.

I'm the kinda guy who lets my vehicles warm up for 15-20 min then drive a couple miles before I get into heavy throttle.
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Old Dec 8, 2012 | 07:30 PM
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Originally Posted by Slammed96
Is it possible to overcool your transmission?

Yes. We start seeing problems around -35*F.
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Old Dec 8, 2012 | 08:33 PM
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Originally Posted by AKlowriderZ71
Yes. We start seeing problems around -35*F.
aint that the truth lol
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Old Dec 8, 2012 | 09:00 PM
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I always wait until the engine is fully warmed up before being hard on anything. I was just wondering if I needed to disconnect the tranny cool for the winter. Also I have it run through the radiator then the external cooler.
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Old Dec 8, 2012 | 09:28 PM
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You should be fine running through the radiator.

I was running just an external cooler on a 700r4 for 5 years, never had a problem. This was in MT and ND where -20* isn't uncommon. Same as everyone else, I just let it warm up for 10 minutes to start driving, and then let it come up to temp before I beat on it.

Theres some companies that claim keeping the trans below 150* will greatly extend the life, while much over 200* will kill it quickly.
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Old Dec 8, 2012 | 10:03 PM
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Originally Posted by TIM Z
Mine never breaks 150 with the tru cool. I'm glad .

When it's cold just use your head and let your stuff run a bit before ya beat on it, always works for me.

I'm the kinda guy who lets my vehicles warm up for 15-20 min then drive a couple miles before I get into heavy throttle.
I am the same way. Even when it's parked in the garage I let it sit and idle for a few minutes before driving. Drives the wife nuts.


When I was home last my transmission was hovering around 100 most the time. Only time I saw it go up was during some WOT pulls when tuning. A couple of the colder days and just normal driving I don't think it even made it over 100 LOL
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Old Dec 9, 2012 | 01:29 AM
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Originally Posted by ak2007r6
I am the same way. Even when it's parked in the garage I let it sit and idle for a few minutes before driving. Drives the wife nuts.


When I was home last my transmission was hovering around 100 most the time. Only time I saw it go up was during some WOT pulls when tuning. A couple of the colder days and just normal driving I don't think it even made it over 100 LOL
This is basically what mine does during the Winter. I've bypassed the radiator and go straight through the 40k with no cold weather bypass on it. When it starts getting cold here, my trans usually doesn't go over 120*
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Old Dec 9, 2012 | 02:23 AM
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Originally Posted by dmelvin
This is basically what mine does during the Winter. I've bypassed the radiator and go straight through the 40k with no cold weather bypass on it. When it starts getting cold here, my trans usually doesn't go over 120*
LOL yup, same setup. If it was sitting outside (rare) and it's really cold I just drive like a grandma till she warms up.

One benefit to living in this frozen state. Cold air for boost and easy cooling of other parts
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