No concern, no issues, I just wanted to upgrade the system. Much easier to service as well.

 

I think upgrading to a high grade synthetic oil makes a bigger difference than an aftermarket cover. He is saying some aftermarket covers add heat with improper oil flow.

I have seen Gale Banks videos on different products compared to his. He pretty much invented the genre of truck aftermarket product. I should add that aftermarket companies jump on the bandwagon making aftermarket parts. Not everything is designed/made well.

 

 

The designed operating temperature for the transmission is 206ºF - 215ºF, this is the same temperature at which the fluid level is set. I have hundreds of hours worth of datalogs for my 2021 3.5EB. Picking a datalog at random with an ambient temp of 50°F, my transmission fluid temperature had only reached 168°F after 30 minutes. After 45 minutes of mixed drivng, the ATF temp was 177°F and still far from full operating temp.

The factory PCM calibration for a 2021 3.5EB, 3.5PB, or 5.0 all have a desired engine coolant temperature of 210°F. The 3.5EB and 3.5PB both use a 195°F thermostat, and the 5.0 uses a 190°F thermostat. You can briefly hit 210°F fairly early on, but after an hour you may still see your ECT drop below 200°F as the thermostat opens and closes. I wouldn't consider the engine to be at full operating temp until it hits steady state operation where the thermostat remains partially open and the ECT constantly stays above 200°F under all conditions.

In my experience with my 2021 3.5EB, it takes a long time for the engine and transmission to reach a steady operating temperature that isn't significantly influenced by deceleration fuel cut-off or how recently the thermostat for the engine coolant or transmission fluid last opened, and this is particularly true in cold weather. You can hit a "normal" operating temperature fairly quickly, but I wouldn't want to compare temperatures until they have completely stabilized.

 

Obviously, ambient temps play a significant role in how quickly the engine and transmission warm up. Mostly the transmission in my experience. In the heat of the summer I notice peak temps are by 15 - 20 min from cold start. I agree that the transmission temps, particularly in cooler weather take longer to warm up. I generally average 190 ish when the ambient temps are below 70 degrees.

Today it was 103 on the highway and my transmission was hovering around 198 - 202. Before I would I often seen 210+. For me, it’s as much as 14 degree drop in somewhat unscientific monitoring. Difficult to compare exactly to OEM it’s definitely a reduction.

I am also tuned and with advanced timing, the engine heats up more quickly. I monitor live very often and the only time I see maybe 205 - 210 in heavy traffic in the heat of the Atlanta summer. Attached screen shot is after I excited the highway for about 10 min.

Banks is a knowledgeable guy, but he is far from being biased. His videos are about selling his own products. The PPE cover is not a flat black, it is curved and also baffled to reduce aeration / mixing of air into the oil.

At some point I will install a proper temp sensor to monitor the actual fluid temp. I also noticed less clunking from the rear and after install. It’s hard to describe, but the truck is feeling a bit smoother with these on / off throttle situations. Not huge but notable. Whether this is fluid quality or heat related I have no idea. Anyway, very happy with the performance so far plus it looks good to boot.

 

My mustang has a diff cooler/temp probe. On a 97 degree day I did a track day. The temps BARELY went above the normal driving temps I would see. All stock. Seems like a pretty big waste of money to upgrade IMO.

 

What is the benefit of reducing transmission temperature below the designed temperature range?

I could see if you were really heating up while towing and taxing the system. But for normal driving (and light towing) is this temp reduction a good thing?

I compare it to using a 160 deg t-stat in the engine. That reduction from design is usually considered harmful due to many factors (runs rich, no closed loop, etc...)

I am definitely not a transmission expert. I just wonder if there is a trade off to reducing normal temp ranges.

 

Because I believe they are wrong. Ford engineers don't have the best reputation for design quality and longevity. This have proven time and again with oil grade recommendations, fluid exchange intervals, & general poor maintain schedules, but most manufacturers are doing this these days. Marketing trumps lovegity. The 10r80 is also not known for longevity and quality. What does this say about Ford engineering? Aisin, who makes some of the best transmissions in the world recommends fluid exchanges every 30k but Toyota says every 90k. I wonder who I should trust...

I have done plenty of research about fluid longevity and how temps destroy the additive packs. Temperature is biggest factor in fluid degradation, by far. The difference between 190 - 205 is not going to make a huge difference, but I know for a fact the fluid will hold up better at these lower temps. I've spoken to a few people who are experts in the industry and they consistently say, 180 - 200 is the best for longevity. Also, the PPE pan allows me to do drain and refills without having the remove the pan. Something I plan on doing every 30k miles. consistent fluid exchanges is also very important, that is if there is not a design flaw messing things up. Thankfully I have the redesigned CDF drum.

 

No one keeps a truck long enough for it to matter anymore.

 

Have you seen the failure rates on the transmissions? ****, people are replacing them at early as 30k miles... It absolutely matters, especially if you are towing.