Auto Tranny epiphany!

[IronMonkeyL255]

I have a '91 SS with an automatic tranny. Ever since i got it, i have noticed that the tranny always seemed exceptionally hot. I was told that this was the norm, so I accepted it.

Fast forward to today. I notice my transmission is running WAY cooler than normal (barely warn to the touch around the shifter). I started thinking, what could be the cause for this sudden transformation.

The exhaust.

I installed a new exhaust on tuesday. It was a WRX Stromung 2.5" turbo-back that was modified to fit a Legacy Turbo. Long story short, the tranny brackets didn't line up AT ALL, so I didn't use either of them. I think that the exhaust was transferring alot of heat into the housing of the tranny.

I haven't done a ton of testing, but it is definitely running alot cooler now. I'm sure the tranny does heat up some by itself, but not to the degree which i was told was normal.

BTW, I am going to try to find a way to get one of the brackets to work and order some Kartboy extra long exhaust hangers to make sure everything stays in place.

[Manarius]

My tranny isn't hot either...then again..my NA car is..weird.

[IronMonkeyL255]

the tranny in my n/a wagon never got hot.

I was under the impression that it was only for the turbo autos.

[Bane]

hmmm, interesting topic.

My auto tranny failed this past weekend (of all things, reverse stopped working), but i don't think it was from overheating...

Sunday past, a group of us went out and had some BIG fun on some back roads... everybody (1 STI, 1 RS coupe/sti conversion, 1RS) drives standard except for me and my Legacy turbo.

I was pushing the car pretty hard admittedly (i usually do every day), but i don't think i'd say that i ever noticed my shifter getting warm, or at least any warmer then it's ever been in the past.

Which i'd have to say that i've never noticed at all.

but i don't think that this failure was related to the cruise... or the stress on the transmission.

I had a BAD transmission leak (lost probably 3-4 litres) about 2 months ago, and while i caught the problem within 1.5 kms, fixed the hose and did a complete flush, the transmissions shops told me that, any loss in pressure can really screw up the reverse very easily.

Do you have any photo's of these brackets?
I pretty much switched the exhaust about 2 weeks after buying the car, and have never really looked at how it was hooked up prior.

I'd be interested to see if they're touching or not.

I know that my exhaust runs pretty damn hot and it is right next to the tranny.

would wrapping the downpipe make any sense to further reduce this heat? or would that affect performance?

[IronMonkeyL255]

It was definitely the exhaust.

I made a long trip today, and it barely got warn.

Usually, mine would get warm right where the PRND321 thingy is. I could touch it and it would be quite warm, sometimes on the verge of being downright hot.

I could probably get some pics, but everything is already swapped over already.

[Bane]

fair enough monkey, thanks for the input though.