[Thunderhorse]

I read about this in a Truck Trend ad a little over a year ago and have been checking their site every once in a while since, but just noticed it there tonight. I know a lot of you like aftermarket aluminum finned covers for diffs, and transmissions-what are your thoughts?

I am still looking for the filter to see what it costs and how good it is at filtering. I know they Y-pipe runs right under the transmission, I wonder if it would interfere?


http://www.pacificp.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=11_143&products_id=695

 

[huntergreen]

what do you think of the pan?

 

[Thunderhorse]

When I change the transmission fluid I will have to replace the pan. The OEM pan has the filter built in so this leaves me with 3 options:

Replace the OEM with an OEM pan which will require me to replace it again when I change the fluid again. Its fairly expensive so I will probably not go this route.

Go with the ATP pan like ArmyOfOne did. While its more expensive than it was when he bought it it is of similar dimensions and construction to the OEM pan, but has replaceable filters. I am kind of leaning this way.

The PPE pan. I like this pan, though I question the benefit of an aluminum pan over a plastic one, but I have 2 concerns currently. 1) I can't find where they sell or link to where they sell the replacement filters. 2) The Y-pipe crosses under the transmission pan, so I am concerned that it will not fit without a custom Y pipe. PPE is a diesel performance company and I don't think the EcoDiesel has a y pipe crossing under the transmission pan so IDK that they took this into consideration.

 

[huntergreen]

my first thought is the y pipe will limit the cooling benefit of the aluminum. i' not worried about the trans change, though. its about 5 or 6 years away for me, and thats if i change at 75 to 80000 miles.

 

[RaceHillFarms]

Not the eight speed but I put a PML transmission pan on my 2008 Ram and had to have a muffler shop lengthen the pipes coming off my Edelbrock headers to clear the new transmission pan. I also had the magnaflow "Y" pipe welded in place of the stock "Y" pipe.

 

[reefer451]

I question the benefits of the aluminum pan and cooling fins. Ram is running a heat exchanger between engine coolant and the trans. To tell you the truth, I'm not sure if they are running the trans fluid into the radiator or running coolant into the trans but however it's plumbed, it's set up to warm the trans fluid when it's cold and cool it when it's hot. Seems to me like the aluminum pan and fins will just be fighting this system. Might run a little cooler under extreme conditions but not doing anything productive the rest of the time.

Also the extra capacity may be good if you're really working it hard, towing a big trailer, but with the high cost of fluid that makes the change even more expensive.

The aforementioned exhaust interference would be a deal killer to me.

 

[Thunderhorse]

I question the benefits of the aluminum pan and cooling fins. Ram is running a heat exchanger between engine coolant and the trans. To tell you the truth, I'm not sure if they are running the trans fluid into the radiator or running coolant into the trans but however it's plumbed, it's set up to warm the trans fluid when it's cold and cool it when it's hot. Seems to me like the aluminum pan and fins will just be fighting this system. Might run a little cooler under extreme conditions but not doing anything productive the rest of the time.

Also the extra capacity may be good if you're really working it hard, towing a big trailer, but with the high cost of fluid that makes the change even more expensive.

The aforementioned exhaust interference would be a deal killer to me.

Yeah it would just make it take longer to get to temp.

It looks though like the deep part is the part that would hang in front of the exhaust looking at the underside of my truck, so as long as the shallow end of the PPE pan isn't (much) deeper than the stock pan it should clear fine.

So now my reservation becomes the lack of a filter source.

 

[GTyankee]

I believe that Shawn made a youtube video or 2 about transmission pan, i don't know if he did any on the replacement transmission pan

www.youtube.com/watch?v=WI6D1xUOEKQ

www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qJ1iq0Eb-8

 

[GTyankee]

I believe I found the aftermarket video about the pan

www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRqDCyiZ_So

sorry he talks about it, but doesn't show it

 

[TxSeawolf]

I question the availability or lack thereof with the filters. It looks sharp but who really looks at your transmission oan? The lack of easily obtainable filters will frustrate and potentially eliminate slight performance increase. So unless your applications are causing abnormal temps in your existing tranny then i would go with Army of One.

Hope it helps

 

[ArmyofOne]

When I change the transmission fluid I will have to replace the pan. The OEM pan has the filter built in so this leaves me with 3 options:

Replace the OEM with an OEM pan which will require me to replace it again when I change the fluid again. Its fairly expensive so I will probably not go this route.

Go with the ATP pan like ArmyOfOne did. While its more expensive than it was when he bought it it is of similar dimensions and construction to the OEM pan, but has replaceable filters. I am kind of leaning this way.

The PPE pan. I like this pan, though I question the benefit of an aluminum pan over a plastic one, but I have 2 concerns currently. 1) I can't find where they sell or link to where they sell the replacement filters. 2) The Y-pipe crosses under the transmission pan, so I am concerned that it will not fit without a custom Y pipe. PPE is a diesel performance company and I don't think the EcoDiesel has a y pipe crossing under the transmission pan so IDK that they took this into consideration.

ATP's pan and filter has been on my truck now for a month, along with mopar fluid. Its running like a dream. The filter medium is actually BETTER, than the mopar filter, as its mesh screen and synthetic fibers, whereas the mopar filter is only a mesh screen. It does have fewer magnets (2 instead of 4) but this is inconsequential as they are nearly double the size of OEM.

The replacement filters are $45 from ATP, and ATP has been around since the 1980's, so they aren't going anywhere. But just in case, I bought 2 more filters.

The kit I got on Amazon was on sale, for $87. It came with the pan, the replaceable filter, and the pan gasket.

With the heat exchanger and trans cooler in our trucks, there is no reason to "upgrade" to an aluminum pan. And no, the ecodiesel has a y-pipe crossover but its further back, behind the transmission pan so an aluminum pan with fins will not clear the y pipe if its made for the ED.

I have put 2000 miles on my ATP filter, the dealer installed it, and said because it exceeds Mopar specs, have agreed to leave my powertrain warranty in place because I used Mopar 8/9 Speed ATF. Get that on Ebay, you can get 12 quarts for $118.

My dealer originally quoted me $698 for the pan/filter combo, and $52 a quart for the fluid, plus labor and tax, totalling $1798.

My cost this way was: $87 for the filter/pan, $118 for 12 quarts of Mopar 8/9 speed ATF, and an hour of labor plus tax. All told I am in it for $350, and I still have a few bottles of ATF left.

 

[Thunderhorse]

ATP's pan and filter has been on my truck now for a month, along with mopar fluid. Its running like a dream. The filter medium is actually BETTER, than the mopar filter, as its mesh screen and synthetic fibers, whereas the mopar filter is only a mesh screen. It does have fewer magnets (2 instead of 4) but this is inconsequential as they are nearly double the size of OEM.

The replacement filters are $45 from ATP, and ATP has been around since the 1980's, so they aren't going anywhere. But just in case, I bought 2 more filters.

The kit I got on Amazon was on sale, for $87. It came with the pan, the replaceable filter, and the pan gasket.

With the heat exchanger and trans cooler in our trucks, there is no reason to "upgrade" to an aluminum pan. And no, the ecodiesel has a y-pipe crossover but its further back, behind the transmission pan so an aluminum pan with fins will not clear the y pipe if its made for the ED.

I have put 2000 miles on my ATP filter, the dealer installed it, and said because it exceeds Mopar specs, have agreed to leave my powertrain warranty in place because I used Mopar 8/9 Speed ATF. Get that on Ebay, you can get 12 quarts for $118.

My dealer originally quoted me $698 for the pan/filter combo, and $52 a quart for the fluid, plus labor and tax, totalling $1798.

My cost this way was: $87 for the filter/pan, $118 for 12 quarts of Mopar 8/9 speed ATF, and an hour of labor plus tax. All told I am in it for $350, and I still have a few bottles of ATF left.

How many quarts of fluid did it take?

 

[striker2237]

My policy is "if you like it then make it fit" I am sure you can get a nice custom mid pipe made that will clear it perfectly.

Remember! 304 stainless is ONLY if you are 100% sure that is the final configuration you want. I perfer alumized steel since I change so often

 

[ArmyofOne]

How many quarts of fluid did it take?

I would have to look at how much I have left to know for sure but in the neighborhood of 8 quarts. A bit more.

 

[Thunderhorse]

I would have to look at how much I have left to know for sure but in the neighborhood of 8 quarts. A bit more.

Thanks! Did you drive a couple hundred miles and then drain and refill like you said? Or is that just one drain and refill?

 

[ArmyofOne]

Thanks! Did you drive a couple hundred miles and then drain and refill like you said? Or is that just one drain and refill?

Nope, I took it to the dealer, had it drained, pan dropped and thrown away. They installed the new pan with removeable filter, and followed the refill procedure per the FCA Service manual.

It took 8.32 quarts according to the paperwork. I just went and looked.

anyway, it runs like a champ :smileup::smileup:

 

[huntergreen]

when the time comes, i hope my dealer will do the same.