What is the Secrets to a Long Tranny Life?

[X~FACTOR]

Just bought this off Summit Racing for $37 shipped. I plan to change the Tranny fluid for the first time @ 57K miles. Besides doing all this what else can be done so that my Tranny will last longer. I've heard too many bad experiences from the members here and it's scaring the sh*t out me.

 

[alphabets13]

mine got changed when it blew out all over the ground and created it's own lake. :thumbdwn:

 

[Opera House]

Does it have a cooler now.

I added one when I bought my used 97. When you change the internal filter, tighten up the valve body bolts (as you have probably read) and you should be fine. A couple extra ceramic magnets wouldn't hurt. Worry about something real, like that engine.

 

[EliteConcept]

dont' drive like an a$$hole that always helps, just remember if you treat a car like crap it will do the same to you

 

[Lifted95X]

Shift kit. Firmer shifts are your friend.

 

[X~FACTOR]

Originally posted by EliteConcept
dont' drive like an a$$hole that always helps

I don't have a problem here. As I baby my truck.

Opera House-
I thought all '95 4x4 have coolers? I'm planning to flush the fluid so I won't be able to tighten the bolts (not dropping the pan) Would I still need magnets if I already have the remote filter?

Lifted95X-
Where can I get Shift kits and how hard are they to install?

 

[Randall]

I am thinking of mounting a second tranny cooler on mine, and a fan right in front of the stock one when I replace it. My tranny overheats incessantly. Also, check to see that you have a heat shield between your catalytic converters and your bellhousing. I might get one of those guage pods for the A-pillar with a tranny temp and maybe a tranny oil pressure or oil level guage, if such a thing is made.

 

[Nate1]

Cool tranny. Quick firm shifts. Clean fluid. 15k - 20k changes. 50k flushes. Stay on top of filters. KEEP COOL!
I think that is the best you could do for yourself.

 

[james t]

if you do a flush, you still need to drop the pan to change the filter. adding an external filter is a good idea, but its not gonna help the fact that there's a clogged/dirty one in the bottom. also, run the biggest cooler you can get. ive got a monster cooler added on after the stocker. when you drop the pan, it is also a good time to clean the magnet, the pan itself, and add a drain plug.

 

[bipolarbob]

Just had mine rebuilt and I put another cooler ( I have 2 now) a filter like the one at the top of the page, a temp gauge and I am looking for a bigger aluminum pan .Anyone seen one for A4ld?

 

[X~FACTOR]

Originally posted by james t
run the biggest cooler you can get. ive got a monster cooler added on after the stocker.

Is it possible to run the tranny fluid too cool? At start up, it might take a long while for the fluid to reach proper temperature.

Mudd*****-
Heat shield is there. I never had any overheating problem (knock on wood) I'm just being pro-active.

Nweibley-
Quick firm shift, you mean install a shift kit as Lifted95X suggested?

 

[Nate1]

Originally posted by X-factor
Nweibley-
Quick firm shift, you mean install a shift kit as Lifted95X suggested?

I would say the best combo is both mechanical (valve body) and electric... be it apten or plug and pray

 

[Slick Rick]

I would seriously look in to investing/take time in doing:


a shift kit, Synthetic tranny fluid, schedule tranny flushes, external filter ( like the one you just received ), an auxilary tranny cooler ( a larger one, preferably one with an electric fan ).


If I were you I would also change that external tranny filter after about a month an a half/ one full month ( pending on how much you drive). Reason being is that the first filter usually becomes quite dirty, as it is the first external filter you are using, and that it is doing a much better job than the internal filter.

Yeah, i know it's pretty crazy, but some people on the board have had their tranny blow up on them up to 10 times, or even more.


Good luck, and have fun.

 

[MONMIX]

Magnets ?????

 

[Rhett]

I'm interested in the adding magnets idea too...like what type of "ceramic magnets" are these?

 

[james t]

dont know much about the various V6 trannies, but the V8's have a pretty big magnet laying in the pan already.

as far as making the fluid too cool, i have never experienced this causing a problem. in my 13 years of various vehicle ownership, i have always used the biggest tranny cooler on everything i have ever owned. i have also never had to rebuild an auto tranny. :knockonwood:

 

[Opera House]

Magnets and cooler

My 97 didn't come with the extra cooler You would think that would come standard. Maybe they thought that Mercon V can take a higher temp so they can eliminate the extra cooler.

You can get litle ceramic magnets at Radio Shack. These are more powerful than the plastic strip magnets (I used to work for a place that made plastic magnets). Magnets only work when the engine isn't running, the fluid flow can't be overcome. Had one transmission that sucked up the needle bearings into the filter. That takes a pretty good flow! The more surface area in more locations, the better.

 

[aldive]

To keep it alive:

don't frive it like you stole it
synthetic ATF
extra cooler
tranny temp gauge
external filter
change the fluid