A4 tranny pans
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 6,470
Likes: 2
From: levittown pa. usa Even a bad day with my `Vette, is better than a good day at work
St. Jude Donor '10
A4 tranny pans
OK! I`ve had it 
, went to Goofy Lube to have the tranny oil changed, & was informed by the zit faced ( OH GOD, not another customer) kid behind the counter, that they no longer drop the pan to change the filters in auto trans any more. They just flush `em out with new fluid ( for $100.00 ). Its better that way says the kid. I said that for $100.00, you are going to run clean oil through a dirty filter?. He said that the flushing cleans out the filter. I said thats 
& left. My question is, who is using an aftermarket pan with the drain bolt, & what are your opinions. Do the cast aluminium ones seal well, do the chrome plated steel ones peel & rust?. I noticed that the price range for these things is from about $30.00, all the way up over $250.00. I was even thinking about drilling the stock pan,& putting one of those aftermarket drain assemblies from the HELP rack at Pep Boys, but they don`t look very reliable.
Thanks
Ken
, went to Goofy Lube to have the tranny oil changed, & was informed by the zit faced ( OH GOD, not another customer) kid behind the counter, that they no longer drop the pan to change the filters in auto trans any more. They just flush `em out with new fluid ( for $100.00 ). Its better that way says the kid. I said that for $100.00, you are going to run clean oil through a dirty filter?. He said that the flushing cleans out the filter. I said thats & left. My question is, who is using an aftermarket pan with the drain bolt, & what are your opinions. Do the cast aluminium ones seal well, do the chrome plated steel ones peel & rust?. I noticed that the price range for these things is from about $30.00, all the way up over $250.00. I was even thinking about drilling the stock pan,& putting one of those aftermarket drain assemblies from the HELP rack at Pep Boys, but they don`t look very reliable.Thanks
Ken
Elite Torch Red Member
Joined: Sep 1999
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From: Exit 89 GSP,Lakewood,NJ The Land Of Mojo
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St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
I wouldn't let them flush anything. Just do it yourself.(trans oil change that is, not flush)
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 6,470
Likes: 2
From: levittown pa. usa Even a bad day with my `Vette, is better than a good day at work
St. Jude Donor '10
Originally Posted by Mr Mojo
I wouldn't let them flush anything. Just do it yourself.(trans oil change that is, not flush)
Thanks; Yeah! thats the plan once I figure out which way to go with the pan
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 2,491
Likes: 1
From: prescott AZ
I have a B&M finned aluminum pan with drain. It is a thick casting that does not leak and is standard capacity. I tried their 3 quart extra cap. pan and it hung too low. It did not bring down the tranny temp.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 5,713
Likes: 105
From: Manassas VA
Here is a little food for thought. My wife has a honda pilot. It holds a total of 8qts fluid, with 3 of those in the pan. According to the owners manual to change the fluid, which is recommended every 30,000 miles, drain the pan and refill, drive a short distance, repeat this 3 times. Then refill transmission. This process takes 12 qts to do.
Now if you do the math on it, this ends up getting most of the old fluid out of there.
Now if you do the math on it, this ends up getting most of the old fluid out of there.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 6,470
Likes: 2
From: levittown pa. usa Even a bad day with my `Vette, is better than a good day at work
St. Jude Donor '10
Originally Posted by 93 ragtop
Here is a little food for thought. My wife has a honda pilot. It holds a total of 8qts fluid, with 3 of those in the pan. According to the owners manual to change the fluid, which is recommended every 30,000 miles, drain the pan and refill, drive a short distance, repeat this 3 times. Then refill transmission. This process takes 12 qts to do.
Now if you do the math on it, this ends up getting most of the old fluid out of there.
Now if you do the math on it, this ends up getting most of the old fluid out of there.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 12,518
Likes: 19
I just bought a polished, finned, aluminum pan off ebay. It includes the stainless bolts and a reusable rubber gasket. It also includes a drain plug. Quality and appearance seem very good considering it is an overseas item. My cost shipped was $50.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2000
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From: Saginaw TX
I'm not personally interested in a cast aluminum pan, but have been looking at Stef's for a fabbed pan. So far, I've not done a lot of research, but with billet rail and drain, but they are deeper than stock and I want stock depth due to the ride height of these cars.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 5,713
Likes: 105
From: Manassas VA
Originally Posted by kenv
That must make for a fun filled afternoon
With the drain plug on the honda its not to bad. You can get to it without having to jack it up. It would be more work on the vette.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 416
Likes: 2
From: Westfield MA
I installed a drain plug in my stock pan about three years ago. Haven't had any problems with it. I bought it at my local auto parts store. It was made by B&M. Just make sure you put it in a location that won't interfere with the filter.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
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Ken, the drain plug in the help section is fine. The gasket is Mickey Mouse though. Throw away the nylon washer. Buy 2 fender washers with the same size hole. 1/2 inch , if memory serves. The fender washers are wide and will stiffen the plug. I put 1 on each side of the pan and use a small squirt of orange silicone(Ultra Copper) where the threads come thru. Never has leaks and is rock solid. I coat the small 7/16 drain bolt with a smear of liquid teflon. I charge $25 to furnish and install on the trannies I freshen. Most people think this is a deal. You can do it yourself for $7.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 6,470
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From: levittown pa. usa Even a bad day with my `Vette, is better than a good day at work
St. Jude Donor '10
Originally Posted by Pete K
Ken, the drain plug in the help section is fine. The gasket is Mickey Mouse though. Throw away the nylon washer. Buy 2 fender washers with the same size hole. 1/2 inch , if memory serves. The fender washers are wide and will stiffen the plug. I put 1 on each side of the pan and use a small squirt of orange silicone(Ultra Copper) where the threads come thru. Never has leaks and is rock solid. I coat the small 7/16 drain bolt with a smear of liquid teflon. I charge $25 to furnish and install on the trannies I freshen. Most people think this is a deal. You can do it yourself for $7.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
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Originally Posted by kenv
Thanks Pete, I may just try that. Where would be the best place to drill the hole on the pan ( mine is an `87 if that makes a difference). You would think that GM would have included a 20cent drain plug in their trannys, but I remember back in `74-`75 when they tried to save a nickel, & for a year or two they quit putting drain plugs in radiators.
