Parts of the torque converter and transmission are destroyed by excessive heat. A lot of racing stresses the transmission and causes it to heat up very quickly. It is well-known that every 20degF increase in temperatures of the transmission will reduce its lifespan and make it heat up faster. While this is well established and widely understood, we are often asked about the best ways to address this issue.

Here are our suggestions for drag racing of any kind:

Always keep a coolant or an electric fan running when your vehicle is driven around on streets. We've seen numerous customers who have looped cooler lines. In a powerglide used 4L60E transmission looped cooler line releases the automatic transmission fluid at its highest temperatures (directly from the torque converter) into the gear set and clutch packs. This causes early failure of the entire system.

We suggest using a top quality cooler. We offer 4L60E transmission. Pumps designed to keep the flow of coolers is ideal for high-powered setups that require a ringless inlet shaft. When used with our ringless shaft, high volume pumps have a cooler flow rate as well as pressure. A ringless input shaft installed in an OEM model pump is not equipped with pressure or cooler flow and results in all of the transmission fluid that is super heated dumping directly into the clutch and gear packs.

If your vehicle is towing up to the starting line, then returned to the pit area following an exit, there's little time for a cooler circuit to exert any influence on the 4L60E. Therefore, it is OK to run an unlooped cooler or use an input shaft configuration that has no provision for the cooler circuit. This can cause the torque converter and transmission remaining extremely hot even after the transfer. Sharp Stuff recommends using an external cooler. For some cooling options, we have seen good results using the use of a leaf blower or a high-speed fan that is placed directly under the car.

Use a quality ATF

We select a Lucas Oil blended fluid. Synthetic and semi-synthetic fluids can handle heat better than traditional fluids and they also retain greater the lubrication.

Heat kills

When you are in the middle of the steamy summer, the situation is more difficult. But if you are having issues with your drag race car due to broken parts or an inconsistent performance, a few adjustments to your setup can make the difference between a broken vehicle and a winner.

Conclusion:

Transmission cooling is an important element of car ownership, but it's frequently overlooked. Overheated temperatures destroy components of the torque converter and transmission, resulting in decreased efficiency, reduced lifespan, and increased repair cost. These steps can help you keep your car operating cool and comfortable for a long time.