L31MaxExpress
I'm Awesome
Hi guys, just got a transmission temperature gauge installed on my '97 Express conversion van to..... monitor my transmission's temperature. (The probe itself is threaded into the pressure test port)
As far as I can tell 210F seems a tad hot although within range, but I do not know for sure, hence my posting. Apologies if this is a silly question.
I took it for a drive after getting the gauge working and took it for a 40 minute drive down the road going about 35-45 in the relatively hilly terrain of the Atlanta outskirts. I did push it a bit up hills just to give it a bit of a stress test, but it looks it only went as high as 210F and no higher. I'd say it spent most of the time in 3rd of 4th. Not towing anything either, just me and another person.
What do y'all think?
Thanks
My guess is your van was built with 3.42s. You are probably spending alot of time in 4th and unlocked converter. Given you have a high top, gear swap would be good. 4.10s minimum and preferably 4.56s. My 97 with a low-top got within 1 mpg running 80-85 mph in 3rd as it did in 4th. Trans ran much cooler when it was able to lock he converter. One might think that higher rpm = worse fuel mileage, but rpm is only part of the equation.