Even as a 4L60E hater I would agree that a Tru-Cool 40K is probably one of the best possible things you could do to help keep one alive. I considered using a 40K when I did my 4L80E swap just for extra insurance but I didn't want to mess with relocating horns or anything to squeeze it in. I went with the M7B and so far so good, although I haven't checked my temps at all since the swap. I hauled a bunch of stuff across the state with that truck earlier this month and it never showed any signs of heating up. Also running 3.42 gears.
Tru-Cool is good stuff. Especially for the price.
Precisely. Heat is the killer of transmissions. I don't think the stock 5.7L vortec power is the reason the transmission likes to die haha. As far as trans temp gauge goes, I would highly recommend one. If I didn't have the gauge I wouldn't have noticed my trans being at 250F+ for a prolonged period of time. Seriously, no signs of the trans overheating. Right at the very end of my trip (last 5 minutes) it started slipping from the heat. Without the gauge (and last 5 minutes of my drive), I would've thought the transmission was happy the whole way there.
What is your coolant temperature when the trans is overheating? The cooler in the radiator does a large chunk of the actual trans cooling. If you have a weak fan clutch or partially stuck thermosat it can overheat the cooling system which will also drove trans temps up. That being said if the stock cooling system is not keeping the trans temps in check you gave a trans problem. I suspect your converter is not locking up.
Coolant temp was at a happy 195F-ish the whole way. No issues there, coolant temp barely rose on the hills either, probably the hottest it got was 200F. I don't think my issue is related to a problem with my engine cooling system. My transmission temps for that trip were as followed:
3rd: Used for climbing hills and slower flat-ground towing. Temp ranged from 180F-250F+
4th no TC lockup: Rarely used, made sure to keep truck in 3rd whenever possible. 210F-250F+
4th TC lockup: Used on flat-ground and highway. 180F-200F
The 4731 would have to modify the one line, the horn looks like it can easily be moved up.
As far as installation either one is fairly simple.
The other option is a pusher efan on the cooler.
I've been having this debate with myself over this for some time now.....
Once all the parts come in and I get some time between my classes, I'll make sure to take detailed notes and make a list of parts needed. Most likely will post a how-to guide somewhere in this thread, or maybe make a different one. Hopefully that'll help sway you one way or the other
Thats why I hit mine with degreaser and a pressure washer once a year or so.
That's a great idea. I'm going to steal that one from you once I tackle the cooler install haha. Which degreaser do you use?