C5 Auto transmission pan replacement
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 1,486
Likes: 343
From: Long Island New York
C5 Auto transmission pan replacement
I will be doing a filter & fluid change in this car soon (65k on it 1999 auto), I've read really old threads about pan replacements, my pan is a bit rusted and would like to replace it with perhaps a pan with an easy drain plug so the next time all I have to do is a fluid change.
Can anyone who has done this themselves recommend to me a good pan? I've looked at the B&M but would rather not need a filter extension. I also don't want the pan to be much lower than stock and create clearance issues.
TIA
Can anyone who has done this themselves recommend to me a good pan? I've looked at the B&M but would rather not need a filter extension. I also don't want the pan to be much lower than stock and create clearance issues.
TIA
Pro
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 714
Likes: 104
From: Springfield Ohio
How long are you going to go between drain and refills? It's generally a mistake to change the fluid without changing the filter because a plugged filter can trash the trans in short order. Fluid should last 30 to 50 K miles depending on how you drive and I wouldn't take for granted that the filter is OK to use for another drain/refill cycle. That's why manufacturers don't put a drain plug in the bottom of the pan.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 1,486
Likes: 343
From: Long Island New York
How long are you going to go between drain and refills? It's generally a mistake to change the fluid without changing the filter because a plugged filter can trash the trans in short order. Fluid should last 30 to 50 K miles depending on how you drive and I wouldn't take for granted that the filter is OK to use for another drain/refill cycle. That's why manufacturers don't put a drain plug in the bottom of the pan.
I think I like your idea and just do the filter changes (cheap insurance) for the next few changes.
thanks
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,862
Likes: 594
From: Prescott, Arizona
I put the B&M finned aluminum pan on mine in July of 2011. Their kit includes an extender for the filter to put the filter down in the deeper pan. It has a drain in addition to the fill level plug. NO clearance issues. 40,000 miles, 18 track days, 9 years and five fluid/ filter changes later. Red Line D4 ATF.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,862
Likes: 594
From: Prescott, Arizona
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 1,486
Likes: 343
From: Long Island New York
I just received today 6 quarts of AC/delco III and OEM filter. I will decide this week on a pan replacement if I even do one now. I see really only two out there specifically made for the C5 with the fill hole and that is the B&M and the PML covers. Both are well over $200.00 with shipping.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,862
Likes: 594
From: Prescott, Arizona
Now that I think of it, when you change fluid and filter keeping the stock pan, about half the old fluid remains in the transmission in the torque converter and other works. Installing a larger capacity pan and adding three quarts of capacity increases the amount of new fluid added, in effect changing a little over 60% of the fluid at each subsequent change instead of 50%. I figure that after five changes I have gotten most of the original fluid out, replacing it with full synthetic.
