Deep Transmission Oil Pan?
#1
03-02-2011 | 01:07 AM
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Deep Transmission Oil Pan?
What's the truth behind the deep pan automatic transmission pans? I hear they are supposed to carry a few extra quarts of transmission oil and result in lower transmission temps. I've also heard this is not true since the amount of fluid going through the transmission cooler over a period of time still remains the same and therefore will not provide any lower transmission temps.
Does anybody know the truth behind these products or have first hand experience using them?
Does anybody know the truth behind these products or have first hand experience using them?
#2
03-02-2011 | 01:36 AM
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Slatington, PA
#4
03-02-2011 | 03:01 AM
Cargo Master
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From: Man Cave
#6
03-02-2011 | 03:41 AM
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Slatington, PA
Borrowed this from another thread asking a similar question.
There's no such thing as a 4R110. There was a 4R100 and then a 5R110.
Most of you have read about my opinions on deep pans. For those who haven't, read on.
A deep pan is excellent for making the bottom of your truck look cool. That's all it does for you. It does NOT make the trans cooler, but it will make it take longer to get hot. Once it does get hot it will take longer to cool. I can't understand how that helps.
There is very little heat loss through the pan. You need fluid to move around the pan surface to transfer heat. I've measured the flow inside the pan, there is a pretty steady surface that "sticks" to the pan, and that blocks heat transfer.
Another thing to consider is where the pan is located. Ever get under a truck that's been running hard while the engine is still running? How about standing next to a running, hot truck? Do you feel nice cool air coming from underneath? I feel HOT air. I've measured the air temperature around the trans pan. It's often in the 230-250F range. How well will the pan cool the trans fluid when the air around it is hotter than the ATF? I seem to remember from my heat transfer classes that you can't cool something with something else that is hotter. That means that the expensive aluminum pan is not going to transfer much heat, but what little is does transfer will be from outside into the ATF!!!!
A big pan looks nice. If that's what you want it for, then go for it. If you expect it to cool the trans, or make the trans last longer, a better trans cooler would be MUCH more effective.
Most of you have read about my opinions on deep pans. For those who haven't, read on.
A deep pan is excellent for making the bottom of your truck look cool. That's all it does for you. It does NOT make the trans cooler, but it will make it take longer to get hot. Once it does get hot it will take longer to cool. I can't understand how that helps.
There is very little heat loss through the pan. You need fluid to move around the pan surface to transfer heat. I've measured the flow inside the pan, there is a pretty steady surface that "sticks" to the pan, and that blocks heat transfer.
Another thing to consider is where the pan is located. Ever get under a truck that's been running hard while the engine is still running? How about standing next to a running, hot truck? Do you feel nice cool air coming from underneath? I feel HOT air. I've measured the air temperature around the trans pan. It's often in the 230-250F range. How well will the pan cool the trans fluid when the air around it is hotter than the ATF? I seem to remember from my heat transfer classes that you can't cool something with something else that is hotter. That means that the expensive aluminum pan is not going to transfer much heat, but what little is does transfer will be from outside into the ATF!!!!
A big pan looks nice. If that's what you want it for, then go for it. If you expect it to cool the trans, or make the trans last longer, a better trans cooler would be MUCH more effective.
#7
03-02-2011 | 05:08 AM
Farkall User
Joined: Mar 2010
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From: Slade Point, Australia
Put 1 litre of water on gas burner see how long it takes too boil,then put 100 litres of water on the same burner then see how long it takes too boil.
The more oil you have the less its heat affected,they say...
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#8
03-02-2011 | 05:51 AM
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
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From: SE Florida
You're only looking at how long it takes to heat the fluid. Isn't how long it takes to cool it once it is hot also important?
#9
03-02-2011 | 09:36 AM
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From: N.GA Mountains
BTS will throw these out and replace with new, stock pan. I asked Brian why and he said 'not necessary' and something about may even be a bad idea. My brain was already on overload, so all I absorbed was the first part...
Bottom line, if trans temps are a problem - this would not be a 'cure'.
Bottom line, if trans temps are a problem - this would not be a 'cure'.
#10
03-02-2011 | 10:22 AM
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Thanks for all of your responses. It sounds pretty clear to me from what everyone is saying that deep transmission oil pans are a waste of money at best and may even impede proper transmission cooling at worst. They only benefit I can see is the magnetic property that picks up metal particles and the transmission temperature port already tapped for the sensor in some of these aftermarket deep sump pans.
#11
03-02-2011 | 10:33 AM
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2008
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From: N.GA Mountains
Saving people money every day. Wait, that's prolly not true at all... 
PMS?? Nooooo - I can stop anytime I want!! Really!! Actually, maybe its time I just embrace this 'addiction'. After all, it seems to be workin' for Charlie Sheen!
#12
03-02-2011 | 10:35 AM
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Los Angeles
We're not talking 100 fold increase, more like 17 becoming 23. That's not gonna make much difference on a 1000 mile trip. It's all gonna be as hot as the transmission cooler allows.
Jason, it works for Charlie Sheen b/c he's making $2 million a week. LOL
#14
03-02-2011 | 10:46 AM
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Joined: Jan 2002
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From: La La Land
There are none so deaf as they that WILL not hear.
The guys that make and sell expensive aftermarket pans have a real interest in making claims that WE can't verify, and it's profit-motivated.
When's the last time that they did a boundary-layer thermal analysis?
Sure, it may look good and sound reasonable, but what's the real truth?
Ford had a real vested interest in finding out, also profit-motivated, and that's what they paid Mark to do.
He'd know........
Pop
The guys that make and sell expensive aftermarket pans have a real interest in making claims that WE can't verify, and it's profit-motivated.
When's the last time that they did a boundary-layer thermal analysis?
Sure, it may look good and sound reasonable, but what's the real truth?
Ford had a real vested interest in finding out, also profit-motivated, and that's what they paid Mark to do.
He'd know........
Pop
#15
03-02-2011 | 11:37 AM
Logistics Pro
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,772
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From: Morgan Hill, CA
Building on the analogy above on how long it takes to heat a certain volume of fluid... You'd have some gain in a steep mountain situation. As you pull the grade you're heating everything up. The more fluid in the system, the longer it will take to get to a certain temp. There's just no denying that. Once you crest the pass, you're cooling down anyway. The point is at THE PASS the max temp on your trans should be lower. That is unless the grade was so long and steep that you got to max temp anyway. In that case there's no benefit.