Everyone has heard this one 10 million times, but is worth repeating.
Keep them cool and they will live longer. Much, much longer.
Most people are under the impression that heat, especially excessive, heat will cause the clutches to wear faster, thus using up a trans. This is only partially true. A typical trans has dozens of rubber seals. Some are lip type, others are 0-ring or square edge seals. When these rubber seals get hot, they get hard. Hard seals leak and break easily, causing a severe internal leakage. They "bleed out internally". Cool fluid keeps the seals pliable.
There are 3 good ways to keep fluid cool.
1) A trans cooler is the most effective. I put one on everything I drive.Cheap, cheap to buy and simple to install.
2)Deeper trans pan. Vert owners cannot do this because of the x brace.
An extra inch of depth adds 2 qts to a 10 qt system.
3) Regular fluid changes. Although a trans does not suffer from external contamination to the fluid(like an engine does), internal debris tends to reduce the efficiency of the fluid.

this is great stuff, Pete! Thanks!

never installed a cooler before, any tips on what brand ect, and on installation. BTW I know Zero about autotrans so your posts are really helpful! Thanks

Thanks Pete!!! We need to compile these and make a section just for you!!!

Quote:
Even the generic coolers available at the local auto part stores are quite good. The typically come with an adapter fitting that eliminates the need to cut the hard lines. The cooler is attached to the rad or ac condensor with the supplied plastic zip ties. Very easy to install. Alot of people do seem to like the coolers made by B&M. Check www.summitracing.com for more coolers.

Do you recommend connecting the new cooler inline with the stock radiator cooler or just the new cooler by itself?

They are most always in series. Later! Frank

Thanks Pete, good to see you back doing these, very helpful!

Thanks for the tip Pete K. I'm going to install one. Will you take a look at the post titled "Transmission question" and give me some help with my issue. Thanks again.

Pete, after the installation of a trans cooler, what is the typical heat reduction? and what is the ideal trans temp? Thanks.

Do the "inline" coolers accomplish anything worth while?