Excessive heat kills parts of the torque converter and transmission. The transmission can heat up rapidly when it is under a lot of strain due to racing. It is well-known that every 20 degrees Celsius increase in the temperatures of the transmission will reduce its lifespan and cause it to heat up more quickly. While this is well known and widely understood however, we often get asked about the best ways to manage this problem.

These are our recommendations for drag racing of all kinds:

If your vehicle is driven through the streets or back to the pit area after passing ensure that you run at least a cooler, and if it is possible, an the electric fan. We see too many customers with looped cooler lines. In a powerglide 4L60E, a looped cooler line dumps the transmission fluid that is automatic at the highest temperature (directly through the torque converter) into the gear set and clutch packs. This causes early failure of the entire system.

We recommend a cooler that is of high-quality. We offer 4L60E. For high powered installations where an input shaft that is ringless is needed, you should use the pump designed to maintain cool flow. The high-volume pumps keep a good pressure and cooler flow when used in conjunction with our Ringless input shaft. A OEM-style pump that has the input shaft without a ring will not have cool flow or pressure. This leads to super heated transmission fluid flowing directly into the clutch and gears.

A cooler circuit won't have an effect on used 4L60E transmission when your vehicle is being town to the starting line, and then tow back to your pit once you've completed your pass. There is a possibility to utilize a looped cooler or an input shaft arrangement that doesn't provide for the cooler circuit. In this case the transmission and the torque converter will remain very hot even after the move. Sharp Stuff recommends using an external cooler. We have also seen reasonable performance using a powerful leaf blower or fan directly directed under the vehicle for some cooling effects.

Use a quality ATF

Our choice is a specially blended fluid created by Lucas Oil. Semi and synthetic fluids mange heat better than conventional fluids and also keep better lubrication than other oils.

It can be fatal to heat

It's especially difficult during the heat of summer. But if you are having issues with your drag race car due to malfunctioning parts or a lack of performance, just a few changes to your setup could make the difference between a damaged vehicle and a winner.

Conclusion:

It is often forgotten that transmission is an essential part of car ownership. The excessive heat can damage transmission and torque converter components and can cause a decrease in performance, shorter lifespans and more expensive repair costs. By following these simple steps, you will be able to help your vehicle run more efficiently and run efficiently for many years to come!