Trans gauges

[myclone]

I know temperature and fluid pressure are concerns for automatic transmissions. Is anyone running temp and pressure gauges to monitor a 700r4? I was looking at a 0-300psi pressure gauge but dont really know what range the temp should be in, there are a couple options available.

I have NEVER installed a 700r4 but am going to have the help of my uncle who is a mechanic at a GM dealership help out. I was reading on one popular transmission dealer's website that they require a pressure gauge be used to check operation when the trans is installed or the warranty may be void.

I dont run a pressure gauge all the time but I do run a fluid temp gauge so heres my .02...

Youll need a gauge capable of reading up to a min of 300psi (350psi would be better) for trans fluid pressure since a well built hi po 700 can produce that much. If you want to run a pressure gauge all the time then any guage that will read 300psi will work but be aware of running hot trans fluid into the pass compartment (<that should go without saying but I said it anyways) so an isolator or electric gauge would be best IMO.

For temp it depends... Since fluid temps can reach 240+ deg on a full tilt let it all hang out WOT drag strip pass do you want to be able to read the gauge or just know that when the gauge is pegged at 250 deg its time to let the trans cool? IMO a 250 deg gauge is plenty for a street/strip vehicle that has a proper trans cooling set up since you deffinately want to give the trans a rest if temps get that high. Any higher than 250ish and the trans fluid is in its break down zone and the trans's life span is now measured in minutes not miles.

Whatever gauge you get plumb it into the fluid OUT line going from the trans to the cooler as close to the trans as convenient. Having the temp sender in the pan only gives you temps of the fluid in the pan not what the internal components of the trans are seeing not to mention it gives you a quicker reading of actual temps and may give you enough time to notice high fluid temps and save you a rebuild. If the sender is in the pan or way down stream of the fluid out port the temp readings are also delayed compared to what the actual internal temp of the trans is seeing. Having 220deg fluid temp readings from the pan does you no good since the inside temps of the trans could have been well above 300deg for a while. Basically its the same as trying to measure temprature of anything with fluid circulating around it so you want to pick up the temp reading from the fluid right after its left the heat producing components. In the case of a 700R4 best location that can be accessed by your average mechanic is the fluid out port on the trans.

HTH