Swapping to a Deep Transmission pan for my camper Hauler

[RedneckExpress]

Okay, since the transmission in the old wagon needs to be drained and refilled again before the big haul with the Truck Camper later this year, I'm debating swapping to a deeper transmission pan (possibly one with cooling fins) in place of the stock pan.

But, before I start altering things, I do have some questions.

1.) Does having the extra fluid available in the pan put additional pressure strain on the transmission itself?

2.) What are some good brands/best prices for a replacement pan kits (complete with the riser to lower the pickup down deeper), preferably one with a drain plug.

For the record, this is the A518/46RH that was used behind the old TBI V8 360 Gas engine (Which I may do a rebuild on at some point in the future when I decide to pursue doing a 440-3 swap in).

[ClydesdaleKevin]

Dave Denison used to weld in a drain bung on all his transmission pans.  I'm not sure having extra transmission fluid capacity will make much of a difference in keeping the fluid cool, even with a finned pan.  I think you'd be better off investing your time and money in a larger external transmission cooler than you have on your truck now...maybe even add electric fans to the transmission  cooler like what we have on our rig.  Set up a temperature gauge for your transmission fluid if you don't already have one, and a toggle for those fans on your dash.  If you start noticing your trans temp going up, switch on the fans until it cools down...it works great!  Then if you want a drain, braze on a bung at its lowest point on your existing pan.

Just my opinion.

Kev

[DaveVA78Chieftain]

From my HPBooks A-727 Transmission Handbook

Increasing fluid capacity is a good thing for racing AND heavy duty applications (like RV stuff).
Use a cast aluminum pan as a stamped pan does nothing to strengthen the case and stamped are prone to leakage.
Use a large Dacron Filter with a filter extension

The A727 and A518 pans are the same based on my google search.  Prices are all over the place.

Dave

[DaveVA78Chieftain]

I googled:
http://www.google.com/#sclient=psy-ab&hl=en&source=hp&q=mopar+A518+aluminum+pan&pbx=1&oq=mopar+A518+aluminum+pan&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&gs_sm=3&gs_upl=44523l59635l2l59994l31l22l4l5l8l0l437l5885l2-14.4.2l30l0&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&fp=935a0bef009a2890&biw=1449&bih=871&safe=active

Which gave me things like:
http://star-p-p.com/Mopar-A518-A727-Turbulator-Cooling-Transmission-Pan-14110.htm
http://www.transmissioncenter.net/727transmission.htm  (2/3rds down the page)
http://compare.ebay.com/like/330670562287?var=lv&ltyp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar&_lwgsi=y&cbt=y

Dave

[Wantawinnie]

This one is from Goerand who knows a thing or two about transmissions. I like it because it has a port for a trans temp sensor.(maybe others do as well) It's a little pricey but beats cooking a tranny. There is a $50 off promotion but I can't tell from the website if that is already included in the listed price.

http://www.goerend.com/dodge-transmission-pan.php

[chicknnhead]

what should trans fluid temp be? what is to hot and what is normal?

[DaveVA78Chieftain]

The information here explains it fairly well.
http://www.digi-panel.com/trannyoil.htm

Dave