Transmission pans

[UPS]

What do you run for an automatic trans pan?
I have a TH400.
Should I get a deep aluminum one, deep steel one, or a stock one. I have a Derale deep steel pan. This has the tubes running through it so air can blow through to cool it. I don't like it because it fills with mud and i think it will rust through.

Thanks,
Mike

 

[jekbrown]

I'm going to run this one...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Turbo-400-TH400-Deep-Cast-Aluminum-Transmission-Pan_W0QQitemZ160090409869QQihZ006QQcategoryZ33727QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Most cast aluminum th400 pans are going to be pretty similar. Pretty much pick one you can get cheap(est) and run it.

AFA the Derale pans, I think they'd be great in a street/tow rig. On an offroad rig, you're right... only a matter of time before the tubes get packed with mud/water.

j

 

[BigEasy]

I like to use B&M's deep steel pans. I'm not too crazy about using aluminum pans on a 4x4. If it smacks a stump or a rock the steel pan will dent but the aluminum pan will crack. Even if a hole gets punched in the steel pan you can at least try to weld a patch on it.

 

[resurrected_jimmy]

I like to use B&M's deep steel pans. I'm not too crazy about using aluminum pans on a 4x4. If it smacks a stump or a rock the steel pan will dent but the aluminum pan will crack. Even if a hole gets punched in the steel pan you can at least try to weld a patch on it.

I agree with this logic and it is probably the best option. However I am always looking for ways to improve heat transfer in an auto tranny. I run a B&M finned aluminum pan on my TH350. I don't run in heavy rock so I'm not too worried about the pan getting whacked. My T-case cross-member and skid plates will get me high centered before I worry about the trans pan.

 

[UPS]

I'm going to run this one...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Turbo-400-TH400-Deep-Cast-Aluminum-Transmission-Pan_W0QQitemZ160090409869QQihZ006QQcategoryZ33727QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Most cast aluminum th400 pans are going to be pretty similar. Pretty much pick one you can get cheap(est) and run it.

AFA the Derale pans, I think they'd be great in a street/tow rig. On an offroad rig, you're right... only a matter of time before the tubes get packed with mud/water.

j

Do you have one of these? If you do how thick is it? Is it good quality?

Thanks,
Mike

 

[jekbrown]

Nope, not yet. I did quite a bit of searching for cast TH400 pans on the web and that was one of the better deals I found. I've got 3-4 other things on my "K5 to-do list" ahead of building my th400... so buying the pan has been on the back-burner.

j

 

[UPS]

What made me wonder about it is it says it is a fairly heavy casting. I wonder how thick it really is?

Thanks,
Mike

 

[resurrected_jimmy]

I was truely surprised at how thick they are. A full 3/8 inch thick from what I remember.

 

[UPS]

I just bought a B&M deep aluminum pan.

Thanks,
Mike

 

[UPS]

I was truely surprised at how thick they are. A full 3/8 inch thick from what I remember.

Have you seen one of the bte deep aluminum pans?

Thanks,
Mike

 

[resurrected_jimmy]

I agree with this logic and it is probably the best option. However I am always looking for ways to improve heat transfer in an auto tranny. I run a B&M finned aluminum pan on my TH350. I don't run in heavy rock so I'm not too worried about the pan getting whacked. My T-case cross-member and skid plates will get me high centered before I worry about the trans pan.

yep. I like it.

 

[jekbrown]

Have you seen one of the bte deep aluminum pans?

it seems pretty thick to me based on the ebay pics. If you look where the drain plug hole is, the "face" of the hole is counter-sunk a little bit into the pan... and then there is the hole itself, which is deep enough for enough threads to hold a drain plug. My guess is, the rest of the pan has got to be 3/8" thick or so. Only way it could be thinner would be if the material was thickest at the drainplug, which is possible, I suppose. looks plenty beefy to me.

j