trans pans

[azwiz]

any thoughts on transmission pans between Mag Hytec, Goerend or PPE for 48E trans.



Thanks in advance

Steve

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

Mag Hytec. end of argument, lol. High quality, non porous aluminum, precision machining to the thousandth of an inch.

 

[cerberusiam]

The problems with the aluminum pans are well known. I prefer steel for the strength and flexibility. Derale makes a nice steel pan with a larger sump if that is what you are looking for. Not sure an extra 2 quarts is going to make a difference one way or another so the OE pan works quite well.

 

[azwiz]

The problems with the aluminum pans are well known. I prefer steel for the strength and lexibility. Derale makes a nice steel pan with a larger sump if that is what yu are looking for. Not sure an extra 2 quarts is going to make a difference one way or another so the OE pan works quite well.

What are "The problems with the aluminum pans" ?

 

[cerberusiam]

The problems I have with them is they leak unless you glue them to the trans case. When you TQ the pan bolts down it distorts the pan and the constant heat\cool makes it worse. The pan rails are almost never completely square and they will twist when power is applied. The aluminum pan does not like things moving or out square and a bugger to seal. Time and heat cycle just makes it worse.

The steel plans flex enough they seal, dimple the bolt holes back in when you instal and they hold form very well. Smack an aluminum pan and you break it, steel just bends. In the case of the aluminum pan it is too stiff for its own good a lot of times.

 

[MoparDave]

The aluminum pans are far superior than steel with Mag Hytec being one of the best if not the best.

 

[azwiz]

The aluminum pans are far superior than steel with Mag Hytec being one of the best if not the best.

why, explain please

 

[NIsaacs]

Not sure an extra 2 quarts is going to make a difference one way or another so the OE pan works quite well.

I agree, if temperature control is your main goal, an aftermarket pan will not cure an overheating transmission. The oem pan and cooling system works with a normal performing transmission. If the transmission is getting hot, it has a problem. I would want an aftermarket pan with a drain plug just for ease of changing the oil. Who wants to drop a pan full of oil? Lack of maintenance is the main killer of an auto. If the auto builders would have included a drain plug and external oil filter from day one, they would last as long, if not longer than the engines.



Nick

 

[MoparDave]

Extra oil capacity, Near perfect fitment, Drain plug and sensor port.

 

[cerberusiam]

Extra oil capacity, Near perfect fitment, Drain plug and sensor port.

Say what???



Extra oil capacity - same as steel pans, any more than 2 quarts is a waste in 99% of instances



Drain plug - same as steel pans, unless it has a steel insert for plug BIG liability when the threads strip



Sensor port - useless, unless it has a steel insert for plug BIG liability when the threads strip



Near perfect fitment - steel pan will flex to perfect fitment





Lessee, add the 5 and carry the two... ... . Yep! Steel pan: 4, Aluminum pan: -2 Hardly a list of functional attributes that would make a significant difference.



Oh, but we forgot the two BIGGIES: 1. It looks purty!! 2. It costs a lot!! Those 2, along with marketing spin, drive the sales and urban legend.





In all fairness the cast aluminum pans have several benefits and attributes that could be useful. Maybe.



The construction of the pan is rigid enough it does add stability to the transmission's case. Used to be this was a big deal because the 727, 46 and 47 RH, were a bit flimsy in a high TQ application. The addition of the pan in certain cases was enough to keep from breaking things, at least it was attributed to the pan.



The 48RE has been strenthened and beefed so that is not as much of an issue in most cases. If one was racing all the time and doing boosted launches in 4x4 then it does add something, how much is hard to quantify. I guarantee enough, or just one, 25 psi boosted launches in 4x4 and you WILL break the VB from the case twisting. Cast aluminum pan or not. For 99% of the uses, not an addition that is going to make a difference.



The caveat here is you twist it bad enough it will crack, maybe before the trans. All I know is I have found cracks in them that turned it into a leaky POS. What was done to do that was never determined because I don't buy "I wuz jus crusing with the boys and we found a leak after leaving a stop light..... ".



The other positive attribute a cast aluminum pan has is its ability to transfer heat. They are much better at radiating fluid heat than steel, hands down no argument. Given that the OE system is more than adequate with a LOT less expensive mods of cooling the fluid, this attribute does carry a lot of weight. The question becomes how much do you want to pay for how much ability to cool? Is it 25? 40? 60 degrees? Quantifying a constant for all situations is as close to impossible as one will ever see. Notice the marketing literature never gives a hard number, only a value that may be possible. In other words they don't know but it looks good in print.



Not saying they are bad thing, not saying don't buy one. I am just saying there are more than the usual legends, marketing spin, and opinion based recs to consider whether it is worth the cost of the benefit. Unless your pushing the limit in power and use the stock pan with a $5 drain plug will do everything the MagHytec will, a 2 quart larger Derale steel pan will do the same thing for about half the price. Your choice.

 

[Bob V]

I have put on more than a few aluminum pans and never had a leak, good info though. I went back and forth on whether to get a pan for my 2011, finally did get one because I found a used one for half the price of a new one. The rear diff cover was easy to say yes to, more oil and better cooling. Even Ram agrees with it.

 

[MoparDave]

each is their own and for some a legend in their own mind

 

[FourBarR]

I have had a Mag-Hitech trans and diff pans for 15 years and 606,000 kms . transmission pan has been off and on many times to change filter. never had a leak even when using the same gasket. cant say enough good things about this product.

 

[cerberusiam]

I have put on more than a few aluminum pans and never had a leak.

Yep, still have one on one of our trucks that has no issues. It is not a hard an fast rule they are good or bad, just presenting information.



Definitely a plus on the diff covers for the capacity and results. Much more quantifiable.

cant say enough good things about this product.

But what "good" things exactly? What we generally get when the issued is discussed rationally is something like "each is their own and for some a legend in their own mind". Say what??? I am sure somewhere across space and time this has some meaning, what and where I cannot decipher. :-laf



Not putting you on the spot or questioning your beliefs, just asking can prove that an aluminum pan is categorically better than a steel one with examples?



In your experience(s), is there a specific instance(s) that the aluminum pan has proven beyond a doubt it is better?



Is there a way to consistently quantify the results?



What are the key metrics we need to look at when assessing the performance of a trans pan?



How do we compare and assess the results form 2 trials?







I firmly believe that everyone that has sung the praises of MayHytec believes in their opinion it is a great product. But why? The OP asked a valid question, why should I but this expensive item? I don't think he wanted a one line baseless opinion or mumbo jumbo.

 

[Bob V]

Ceberusiam, I agree, its really hard to tell if there is enough payback to justify the expense, at least for the 68RFE. I was looking at adding a second cooler to my truck for about the same money. As for as the actual product I think everyone would agree that the quality of the Mag-Hytec is second to none. I am not saying that the others are not any good, LOTS of good pans out there. Its really going to come down to personal preferences and if the cost/benefit works out for each person. Like I posted earlier. If I hadn't got a deal on a used one I probly would have put the money to a axially cooler Like this http://www.summitracing.com/parts/bdd-1030606-12/overview/