trans pan from RA

[buelldude]

So for the few that have changed their trans fluid, did you put back on a pan that had a drain plug? I have been looking at PPE/banks for starters. I also found this---- https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/chevrolet,2020,silverado+3500,6.6l+v8+diesel+turbocharged,3444638,transmission-automatic,fluid+pan,8546

 

Give some feedback on the pan you put on and any notes as to the quality of the parts. I'm going to put one of these on, I'm just doing my homework on each.

Banks/PPE have 3-4 qt's extra (over the factory amount) with cooling fins.

RA is the same size as factory and looks like cast aluminum. Has drain plug

 

[asilverblazer]

Any stamped pan with a plug would be fine. Of course you can spend as much as you like. Banks products are well documented and engineered - if they claim something you can be sure to see it. How much will you benefit from it is up to you. I wouldn't hesitate to put a Banks product on my truck if I thought I needed it.

 

Looking at the GM replacement in the link - how would you ever drain the sump with the drain plug not in the lowest location, with that tube that looks 2" tall on top of that?!

Edited December 27, 2024 by asilverblazer

[buelldude]

the pic that is in the link is looking down at the bottom from the outside. Here is a few other pics on amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Dorman-265-587-Transmission-Compatible-Chevrolet/dp/B0D5JZDXXJ

Look at the third pic down, should give a better idea on it.

[bruceb58]

17 hours ago, asilverblazer said:

Looking at the GM replacement in the link - how would you ever drain the sump with the drain plug not in the lowest location, with that tube that looks 2" tall on top of that?!

That is the level plug. You pull the plug so that the fluid goes to the level of the standpipe and that is the proper running level. It's not a drain plug.

[bruceb58]

That Dorman pan looks like a perfect replacement for the 6.6L gas engine too since the exhaust travels over the pan near the rear of the pan.

[AndrewF]

I plan on using the Dorman pan in a year or two when I do my first fluid change. At least in my first year of ownership I haven’t remotely had concerns with trans temps so I don’t want the extra capacity of the currently available more expensive aftermarket pans. 

Edited December 28, 2024 by AndrewF

[buelldude]

well I got the RA pan/fluid/filter and gasket. I think that its half the cost of the dealer so why not do it myself. I have been told/read that the gasket is re-usable, may not need it but wth.

[TurboTime]

Jay from Banks here. As you can imagine, I couldn't stand by and let this conversation go by without chiming in. If the purchase decision is based solely off convenience of fluid changes, all three; Banks, PPE and Dorman are acceptable choices. However, if you're looking for improved cooling, the Ram-Air far outcools PPE and Dorman. Don't be mislead by a a larger fluid capacity. Having more fluid does slow the heat saturation by a few minutes, but when the fluid is hot, it's hot. Adding fluid quantity is best used for extending service intervals because your spreading contaminates into a great volume of fluid. What matters is the pan's ability to reject heat from the fluid to the atmosphere. That's why fin depth/surface area matters. Look closely and you'll see that Banks far exceeds all others in fin depth and density. Upon close inspection, you'll see our FlowThru Fins start on the inside and extend to the outside for maximum efficiency. Moreover, it's about getting air to rush over those fins. The belly of a truck is incredibly turbulent. We know because we've measured air velocity using anemometers placed in front and behind both axles. In fact, air flow is almost absent right behind the front axle because the axle splits the air like a wedge. So, even if you have good fin depth, there's little air rushing over the surface. This is why the Ram-Air cover had a scoop that captures and compresses air, forcing it through the fins at a higher velocity. There's a lot of engineering in our transmission pan. You have a very expensive truck that gets used, it performance equipment that will make it last longer. 

2001-2019 Allison 1000 Ram-Air Transmission Pan is available now. 

2020-2025 Allison 10/1000 Ram-Air Transmission Pan should be available in March 2025.

Edited December 30, 2024 by TurboTime

[asilverblazer]

1 hour ago, TurboTime said:

However, if you're looking for improved cooling, the Ram-Air far outcools PPE and Dorman. Don't be mislead by a a larger fluid capacity. Having more fluid does slow the heat saturation by a few minutes, but when the fluid is hot, it's hot... What matters is the pan's ability to reject heat from the fluid to the atmosphere...

I'm curious how combining the cooling elements of the pan, the factory transmission oil cooler and thermostat work together? Getting heat out of the fluid in the pan is complicated by the thermostat regulating the fluid to operating temperature, the concept being that we can't arbitrarily remove all the heat from the fluid without shutting the thermostat to try raising the fluid temperature back up.

 

Under normal conditions the thermostats operation would regulate the temperature; open to lower or CLOSE to RAISE the operating temperature.

 

Under heavy conditions where the additional cooling would be most beneficial, when the thermostat is open, fluid is flowing through the cooler and returning to the transmission at a temperature still high enough where the additional cooling of the pan would be beneficial. I'm curious how you tested this aspect? Building enough heat in the transmission where the main cooler can't bring the fluid temperature down enough and the pans additional cooling is measured.