6L80 external filter DIY

cossack · January 5, 2018

That's right Eddie, there is no flow through the cooler or the filter until trans is up to temp.

cossack · January 24, 2018

Also remember that in during warmer month transmission thermostat stays open almost always.

truckguy82 · January 25, 2018

21 hours ago, cossack said:

Also remember that in during warmer month transmission thermostat stays open almost always.

I think it stays open during winter months too. I mean there seems to be little change in trans temps depending on ambient temps, just like our coolant temps.

truckguy82 · January 25, 2018

On 1/5/2018 at 2:41 PM, Eddie 70 said:

I got to thinking about the trans temperature and this remote filter. My drive is 40 miles one way. When I get about 2 miles from work, my trans temp is just getting to 170 degrees. If I understand correctly the flow through the remote filter would not happen until this point. I like this idea but think it is a lot of work for two miles of filtering. Am I missing something here?

Thanks guys.

I’m about 90% sure it doesnt open until 190-195 degrees.

The thing is the filter doesn’t need to be constantly filtering. It just needs to do it once in awhile.

picture having a loop of water running through a brita filter. It’s not going to make much difference if it runs through continously or just does it once a week. The filter should remove most of the contaminants on one pass.

If you’re only reaching 170 on your way to work, I suggest having a little fun on your way to work once in awhile.

cossack · January 25, 2018

39 minutes ago, truckguy82 said:

I think it stays open during winter months too. I mean there seems to be little change in trans temps depending on ambient temps, just like our coolant temps.

You are correct it does open during winter month too, it just takes substantially longer then during summer. At least it does in my truck. How ever during summer time transmission reaches operating temperature quickly.

cossack · February 5, 2018

I went ahead and did an oil change on the truck but decided to leave transmission filter in till the next time. It hardly had any miles on it sense the install, figured it would be pointless to change out.

I'll try and update this thread once I have filter changed out.

Mileguru · March 4, 2018

On 2/5/2018 at 9:11 AM, cossack said:

I went ahead and did an oil change on the truck but decided to leave transmission filter in till the next time. It hardly had any miles on it sense the install, figured it would be pointless to change out.

I'll try and update this thread once I have filter changed out.

I was following this thread a while back. Just sending a reminder that we'd love to see that trans filter opened up when you feel the time is right.

cossack · March 6, 2018

On 3/4/2018 at 3:10 PM, Mileguru said:

I was following this thread a while back. Just sending a reminder that we'd love to see that trans filter opened up when you feel the time is right.

You got it. But it will probably be closer to summer time when I change it out for the simple fact of very few miles on it. Also might do a pan drop to see how it looks on the inside, if there are any shavings. Stay tuned.

2005Silveraydo · April 29, 2018

Awesome Job! Your lines look super professional! Im considering doing this but with rubber trans hoses, only one question. Is there any down side to this? Would this restrict the flow of fluid at all? Might sound like a dumb question, but I just didnt know.

Thanks!

cossack · June 16, 2018

On 4/29/2018 at 7:34 AM, 2005Silveraydo said:

Awesome Job! Your lines look super professional! Im considering doing this but with rubber trans hoses, only one question. Is there any down side to this? Would this restrict the flow of fluid at all? Might sound like a dumb question, but I just didnt know.

Thanks!

Thank you!

You can definitely use rubber trans hoses. I think those radiators have 3/8 NPT threads. Just make sure clean out old sealant and use good quality thread sealer, I would recommend against the tape kind and go with the liquid type.

The extra plumbing and the filter itself probably add a few PSI resistance, but I doubt its anything significant. The pump is a positive displacement type and flows same amount of oil no matter the PSI. Either way I don't have a good solid answer for you man. I would have to measure pressure difference between Point #2 (filter out) and point #13 (filter in) on parts diagram. Also would need to know the pressure relief setting on the pump before I could answer your question with 100% accuracy. But again I doubt that this setup changed the amount of oil that flows through the coolers.

Hope my nonaswer helps you make a decision.

and bump for the updated first post. Got pictures of the filter put up.

Edited June 16, 2018 by cossack

Eddie 70 · June 16, 2018

Just read the updated post with filter pics. The exact reason I wanted to install a remote filter in the first place. I'm still pulling a gallon of fluid from the dipstick tube every 15k miles until then.

2005Silveraydo · June 17, 2018

6 hours ago, cossack said:

Thank you!

You can definitely use rubber trans hoses. I think those radiators have 3/8 NPT threads. Just make sure clean out old sealant and use good quality thread sealer, I would recommend against the tape kind and go with the liquid type.

The extra plumbing and the filter itself probably add a few PSI resistance, but I doubt its anything significant. The pump is a positive displacement type and flows same amount of oil no matter the PSI. Either way I don't have a good solid answer for you man. I would have to measure pressure difference between Point #2 (filter out) and point #13 (filter in) on parts diagram. Also would need to know the pressure relief setting on the pump before I could answer your question with 100% accuracy. But again I doubt that this setup changed the amount of oil that flows through the coolers.

Hope my nonaswer helps you make a decision.

and bump for the updated first post. Got pictures of the filter put up.

I went ahead and installed a set up similar to yours using rubber trans hose and Hayden 397 adaptors for the cooler and radiator. Same filter head but a wix 51515xp filter because it was black. Also brass fittings off the filter head painted black.

cossack · June 17, 2018

10 hours ago, 2005Silveraydo said:

I went ahead and installed a set up similar to yours using rubber trans hose and Hayden 397 adaptors for the cooler and radiator. Same filter head but a wix 51515xp filter because it was black. Also brass fittings off the filter head painted black.

Install looks great, how many miles you got on it now?

2005Silveraydo · June 17, 2018

6 hours ago, cossack said:

Install looks great, how many miles you got on it now?

Only about 700 miles. Next month I plan to do a pan drop, change the fluid and both filters. It only has 17k miles on it but I am interested to see what everything looks like.