Quote:
Originally Posted by Highbeam
Even at stock power levels the stock trans fluid cooler is so small that the trans will overheat in normal conditions.
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If a truck's transmission fluid is overheating (stock or otherwise), one needs to rethink the way they're using the truck.
An automatic transmission's fluid gets hot because of two things:
1: The torque converter clutch is never commanded to be applied. Fluid coupling creates a ton of heat in the fluid. Low speed (typically under 45 MPH) will cause the torque converter clutch to remain disengaged (depending on tuning). That's the main reason transmission temperatures soar in around-town driving.
2: There is friction material not holding against the steel plates. "Slippage" is a major cause of heat and the transmission will not live long under these circumstances. Whether the transmission is just old or there is too much power input, slippage is death to a transmission; and it will NEVER get better. Once the frictions are glazed and the steels begin to get hot spots, the transmission needs a rebuild.
It does not matter one bit about whether the truck is stock or not but whether the transmission is healthy and can withstand additional power input. An additional cooler (or a larger one) is always a good idea and I won't knock anyone for adding one. Just know that masking problems isn't a good practice.