Trans temp gauge

[ronbuick]

I,m thinking of installing one on my car, my question is what is a good brand and where and how do you install the probe, I'm sure there are different areas, just looking for the best and possibly the easiest place to put the probe, I need some info please.
thanks

Ron

 

[turbo nasty]

in the pan

 

[hounddogs!]

Autometer. I like the look of the Phantom series. I put the sender in the pass side of the pan, towards the front.

 

[rking]

Does anyone really see much change in their tranny temps. Even with my gauge and 3500 stall, on the street, track, anywhere, I really never see much change at all??

 

[ronbuick]

Thanks for the info.

Ron

 

[turbo nasty]

Does anyone really see much change in their tranny temps. Even with my gauge and 3500 stall, on the street, track, anywhere, I really never see much change at all??

HIJACKER HIJACKER

 

[rking]

HIJACKER HIJACKER

I know, I know!! But I figured the question had already been answered :wink: .

 

[Firechicken]

This is what Bruce of PTS (the hosts of this forum) has to say about where the best spot to take a reading is located:

The discharge or out line is converter discharge oil. It will tell you the temp of the converter discharge but NOT what the trans is seeing.
As for the temp bung in the pan, that can be what we call "stagnent" oil meaning, it is really not always in the circuit. By measuring at the return cooler line shows EXACTLY what the lube return circuit temp is and what the lubrication temp is.
Hope you follow this and if not, let me know and we will continue this discussion.
But, I hope this makes sense to all.
BTW: Our pans do have an 1/8th pipe plug in then for the drain, but to cheat and install easily you could put it there.

Bruce
WE4
Performance Transmission Services

 

[MSDGN]

I did mine as Bruce suggested...put it in the return line from the cooler...

 

[ronbuick]

MSD, what gauge did you use and what materials are needed to install in the return line.
thanks.

Ron

 

[MSDGN]

I used an Autometer 2 1/16" trans temp gauge...I installed the sender in the rubber return line for my external tranny cooler...the guage is installed in the center console...wanted it hidden...I'll post some pics tomorrow...easier to show what I did rather than explain it...

 

[ronbuick]

Pics would be great, thanks

Ron

 

[Warren]

Just have to ask

I know it's been covered before, as to where the best placement of the gauge sending unit is, but I have a rather dumb question to ask and need the opinions of those who would know.

I've got a particular situation where I'm using a 2004R in a vehicle other than a Buick or Olds and have VERY little room for the cooling lines in the tunnel as they come out of and go into the tranny. I'm forced to use a 90 degree angle adapter at the side of the transmission. This is causing me to NOT be able to use the adapter that Bruce sells at that position. I'll be using -6AN braided steel lines to and from the B&M Hi-Tek cooler with the fan on it.

My question is, would it really matter if the sensor was located approximately 1 to 2 inches forward of where the return line enters the transmission, in the line instead of putting the fitting directly on the side of the transmission?

My concern is that it might be in an air path of rapidly moving air and might skew the readings based on airflow across the fitting. Should I be concerned, or would that actually be a "better" place for it since it won't be so close to the heat of the transmission case itself?

Opinions and advice welcomed.

Warren

 

[ronbuick]

I have been conversing with Cameron at Dakota Digital and they make a sender that installs in the line itself, one for a 5/16 and one for a 3/8, so I will be going that route, I kinda like the digital personally, and will be installing
it under the hood as it comes out of my external cooler back to he trans. any one elses thoughts on this??
thanks

Ron

 

[Firechicken]

To install the sender properly in the line, without using PTS's fitting, is to use a "temperature manifold" made by Autometer. The sender does not have to be located right at the transmission, it can be installed anywhere along the the return line.

They make two sizes, one for 5/16 (part# 2287) and one for 3/8 (part# 2286) lines. I believe the -6 line will screw right in to either block, but I am not certain. Basically they use the same block but different fittings according to the line size. This is what they look like:

 

[MSDGN]

Here's some pics of what I did...just used some metal strapping bent around the gauge and screwed into the front of the console...for the sender went to ACE hardware and got a brass tee...2 pieces with barbed ends to screw into the ends of the tee for the hose ends...an adapter for the sender to screw into the tee...that's it...only cost me about $10...the sender doesn't have to be near the trans...

 

[ronbuick]

The block that you show looks similar to Dakota's, but I see that they are made for the hard lines, I would need barb fittings as I will be installing in the rubber line not the hard lines, I see MSD's set up looks good and prolly costs less and appears to be smaller and could be easier to work with, well more investigation to decide which way to go.
thanks

Ron

 

[MSDGN]

You will need to solder/attach a ground wire to the brass tee...it was a pain trying to solder a ground wire to the brass tee...damn solder didn't want to stick...have to get the brass real hot...then it works...just used a propane torch...I'm sure you could attach a wire a different way...

 

[REBAL T]

You will need to solder/attach a ground wire to the brass tee...it was a pain trying to solder a ground wire to the brass tee...damn solder didn't want to stick...have to get the brass real hot...then it works...just used a propane torch...I'm sure you could attach a wire a different way...

What kind of temps do you see when your just driving around and temps after racing is there a big difference and do you have bigger tranny cooler.

Thanks

 

[MSDGN]

The main reason I got the guage was because I went to NL converter and do drive the car on the street...I've never seen over 180 degrees...usually cruising or even driving in traffic it's around 160-170 on an 80-85 degree day...after a run it's around 180...the external cooler I have is a B&M supercooler which I got from ATR years ago...not huge...it's about 13x6...I also use the stock trans cooler in the radiator...think using both as opposed to only one helps...