Trans Temp Important for Fuel Economy?

[jeff88]

Hmmm... I wonder if a factory thermostat would work and I could somehow modify it to open at a set time. Maybe this project is going to require an Arduino with a sensor, relay and e-valve. Didn't really want to do that, but if push comes to shove I just might.

oil pan, I like the idea of having the two coolers, my two issues are that I want it to be fully automated (anybody can drive the truck without 'forgetting' to open/close any valves), and that I am not going to use the factory cooler, to prevent any future damage, which means I would need two coolers.

In your scenario, how would you run the electronics/valves? Would you have some sort of temp. sensor with a relay to the valves? Is there a logic board in there somewhere?

EDIT: What about this? If I sent this to a relay to open a valve, would that work for me?

[oil pan 4]

With 3 or less inputs and 2 outputs there is no need for a logic board. Electro mechanical will work fine.
Something like that switch you found on amazon would work, just finding them in the correct temperature ratings can some times be difficult.

[ksa8907]

It should be noted that transmission fluid that runs through the engine coolant radiator will also have an auxillary cooler after the radiator to bring trans temps down further.

Fluid to fluid cooling is far more efficient than air. Trans fluid temps are knocked down fast through the radiator, then brought down to a safe temp with the auxillary cooler.

[Baltothewolf]

Originally Posted by ksa8907

It should be noted that transmission fluid that runs through the engine coolant radiator will also have an auxillary cooler after the radiator to bring trans temps down further.

Fluid to fluid cooling is far more efficient than air. Trans fluid temps are knocked down fast through the radiator, then brought down to a safe temp with the auxillary cooler.

I call BS on that chart. My mom's Transmission made it to 199k miles and my dad's made it to 189k miles. I know some manuals with 300k+ miles.

[oil pan 4]

That chart could be representing minimum miles you might expect.

[ksa8907]

Its not an absolute, or extremely accurate representation of numbers, but if your transmission is forced to operate at temperatures higher than normal, the fluid will oxidize and varnish and you will have tansmission failure sooner.

[aerohead]

Originally Posted by Baltothewolf

I call BS on that chart. My mom's Transmission made it to 199k miles and my dad's made it to 189k miles. I know some manuals with 300k+ miles.

At what temps did those trannys operate at?

[nemo]

MANUAL transmission uses 75-90W

This is not necessarily the case.

Many use automatic transmission fluid and some motor oil.

My wife's 2000 ZX2 used automatic transmission fluid in the manual gear box.

My son's Dodge Dakota used motor oil.

[jeff88]

Originally Posted by oil pan 4

With 3 or less inputs and 2 outputs there is no need for a logic board. Electro mechanical will work fine.
Something like that switch you found on amazon would work, just finding them in the correct temperature ratings can some times be difficult.

Well that makes my life easier! The Amazon page says it has 'turn on' at 180* and 'turn off' at 165*. So I can attach it to a relay and operate a valve to open and close the line into the cooler. Now I just need to find a valve with a 'tee'...

[oil pan 4]

I don't think you want to use a 3 way valve on a transmission cooler/heater setup. You would be giving the transmission wild variations in fluid temperatures.
That is why I mentioned the stepped heater/cooler system.