The correct temp with today's modern transmissions is much different than even 10 years ago. My 17' Super-duty runs at 200+ normal and goes up to 240 towing and I've seen higher. But I also see 230 water temps etc. Today's engines and transmissions have much better seals and hard parts to withstand higher temps. Modern Synthetic fluids go hand in hand with these changes and temps too, 230 isn't hot anymore basically.
When your dealing with the typical older TH400, Th350, 700R4 stuff it's probably best to stick with the older conventions of 200 degrees is pretty hot and 180 is a great operating temp. You can have better seals etc. installed in any of these transmissions and you can then change your thinking up to 200 degrees being normal and 230 being hot provided you have the right fluid.
Running good hard parts, seals, and Amsoil slick shit racing fluid I don't really mind seeing 230+ degrees with my Buggy. We've seen 260+, continued on racing and the report on tear down was that things were totally fine.
Liquid to Liquid heat exchange is far superior to air to liquid, most higher endurance vehicles use many liquid to liquid heat exchangers and up-size the rad. to match. Air to Liquid exchangers have much higher failure rates because they have to be out in the open, a heat exchanger can be buried in the depths of the vehicle and it's design is very durable. It's not uncommon to see engine oil, power steering fluid, transmission fluid, even dif fluids all have a heat exchanger and 1 massive radiator to handle all the heat load on a Desert race vehicle,
Thank you for the info. It is a th400 built by Hughes to see abuse. Lucus oil sure shift fluid. I don't think that I am getting an accurate temp reading in line. Was lazy and didn't want to pull pan and put sender in. At the time I purchased radiator I was not thinking of the auto trans. Will probably get one with cooler soon.