Ideal 4T65eHD Operating Temperatures (Page 1/1)
Dennis LaGrua AUG 08, 07:25 PM
Like myself many of you run the 3800SC with the 4T65eHD transmission. I run the Champion Radiator with the internal trans cooler and with the 180* thermostat all operating temperatures seem under control However on long trips I suspect that the trans cooler on the Champion radiator is not keeping the transmission fluid cool enough. I believe an external add on cooler on the return line to the transmission may be beneficial. I am getting 190 degree transmission oil temperatures but is that good enough for trans lomgevity? Opinions?

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" THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite.
"THE COLUSSUS"
87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H
" ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "

jelly2m8 AUG 08, 10:15 PM
Your fine Dennis, normal operation temps for an old school auto such as ours is 170-220 deg F
Dennis LaGrua AUG 09, 03:31 AM

quote
Originally posted by jelly2m8:

Your fine Dennis, normal operation temps for an old school auto such as ours is 170-220 deg F



Appreciate the comment. . Auto transmission temperatures are a subject seldom addressed here. If you go to the West Coast Fiero website they are of the opinion that a separate stand alone trans cooler is necessary, but they are in business to sell parts. I will continue to monitor using an infrared pyrometer on the transmission pan and steel lines after a drive to disprove all the hype. Further results will be reported.

------------------
" THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite.
"THE COLUSSUS"
87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H
" ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "

olejoedad AUG 09, 07:19 AM
OEM.thermostat for the 3800/4T65EHD was 195°F.

The Champion radiator keeps your engine cool and the trans at a constant stable temperature.

You are fine.
Dennis LaGrua AUG 09, 11:03 AM

quote
Originally posted by olejoedad:

OEM.thermostat for the 3800/4T65EHD was 195°F.

The Champion radiator keeps your engine cool and the trans at a constant stable temperature.

You are fine.



No dispute there with the OEM thermostat rating but choose to run cooler because of a smaller pulley and boost to 11 PSI. . Also run a step colder plugs 3" exhaust. and ZZ SSIC (intercooler). Need to avoid KR's /detonation. Believe this is what ZZ Performance recommends.
The Champion radiator seems to be doing its job but West Coast Fiero says no on the transmission side and wants to sell me an external cooler. I'll put that one off for now.
On a side note, eventually will upgrade the 4.9L car to the Champion radiator only because the one in there now is original and used for 66K miles. It was designed for a V6 /TH 125 so not sure that it will cool the 4.9L engine with the 4T60e.

------------------
" THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite.
"THE COLUSSUS"
87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H
" ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "

olejoedad AUG 10, 08:36 AM

quote
Originally posted by Dennis LaGrua:


No dispute there with the OEM thermostat rating but choose to run cooler because of a smaller pulley and boost to 11 PSI. . Also run a step colder plugs 3" exhaust. and ZZ SSIC (intercooler). Need to avoid KR's /detonation. Believe this is what ZZ Performance recommends.
The Champion radiator seems to be doing its job but West Coast Fiero says no on the transmission side and wants to sell me an external cooler. I'll put that one off for now.
On a side note, eventually will upgrade the 4.9L car to the Champion radiator only because the one in there now is original and used for 66K miles. It was designed for a V6 /TH 125 so not sure that it will cool the 4.9L engine with the 4T60e.




I ran the OEM Fiero radiator in my Formula for about 10 years with the 4.9/4T60E with no temperature issues at all, even when beating on the car on Georgia mountain roads on Run For the Hills with the GFC.
Dennis LaGrua AUG 12, 07:18 AM

quote
Originally posted by olejoedad:


I ran the OEM Fiero radiator in my Formula for about 10 years with the 4.9/4T60E with no temperature issues at all, even when beating on the car on Georgia mountain roads on Run For the Hills with the GFC.



Actual experience should tell the story and overule the claim from WCF that the stock Fiero radiator transmission cooler is inadequate for GM 4T60e /4T65 transmissions. Been taking tests with a pyrometer on the lines and on the pan after a long drive and all seem fine.

------------------
" THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite.
"THE COLUSSUS"
87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H
" ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "

82-T/A [At Work] AUG 12, 08:19 AM

quote
Originally posted by Dennis LaGrua:

Like myself many of you run the 3800SC with the 4T65eHD transmission. I run the Champion Radiator with the internal trans cooler and with the 180* thermostat all operating temperatures seem under control However on long trips I suspect that the trans cooler on the Champion radiator is not keeping the transmission fluid cool enough. I believe an external add on cooler on the return line to the transmission may be beneficial. I am getting 190 degree transmission oil temperatures but is that good enough for trans lomgevity? Opinions?





I'd always thought about installing a small oil cooler (for the automatic transmission) under the driver's side rear engine vent... with a small fan attached to the underside that forced air out. This would work along with the natural flow of air from under the car anyway, but would at least provide additional cooling.

I ended up switching to a manual transmission though, and the Th-125c never really needed any more than what it gets from the radiator cooler.
olejoedad AUG 12, 12:10 PM
The term 'cooler' should be 'stabilizer'.

Too cool is hard on a transmission as well.