FD Transmission Pans
There's no need for these on a street car, but there's totally a "need" in a track car—my question would be, how much does extra oil capacity and some fins really help, especially for the cost.
If you think about the fact that the "true" solution is a transmission or diff cooler, that's pulling the oil out of the hot transmission, and putting it through an efficient heat exchanger, and then pumping it back in. I can't see having a little extra oil in direct proximity to the rest of the oil, and slightly more surface area on the overall casing doing even nearly the same thing.
However, the one pan having pre-supplied outputs for an oil cooler hoses and a gauge is almost worth the cost right there.
If you think about the fact that the "true" solution is a transmission or diff cooler, that's pulling the oil out of the hot transmission, and putting it through an efficient heat exchanger, and then pumping it back in. I can't see having a little extra oil in direct proximity to the rest of the oil, and slightly more surface area on the overall casing doing even nearly the same thing.
However, the one pan having pre-supplied outputs for an oil cooler hoses and a gauge is almost worth the cost right there.
Actual use information:
1) Put a brake caliper temp sticker on the outside of transmission and the diff to give SOME idea as to the oil temperature, and as a way to monitor maximums from day to day. This is a cheap way to see if there might be a problem or not. I believe recommended max operating temp for gear oil is around 250F.
2) I have a bubbletech transmission spacer (very nice piece) and a Greddy diff cover. Both keep the my temps below 250f for 30 minute sessions on a road course.
The Greddy cover definitely lowered temps because I had a sticker on the stock diff before installing it, and saw a drop after. I don't have before and after for the transmission - just after.
I wouldn't even think about doing either if I didn't track the car.
3) If these simple methods hadn't worked, I would have considered a cooler, although I personally would worry about unknown-reliability parts that could increase the probability of dumping oil on the track.
I'd appreciate hearing from others with actual experience (as opposed to speculation).
1) Put a brake caliper temp sticker on the outside of transmission and the diff to give SOME idea as to the oil temperature, and as a way to monitor maximums from day to day. This is a cheap way to see if there might be a problem or not. I believe recommended max operating temp for gear oil is around 250F.
2) I have a bubbletech transmission spacer (very nice piece) and a Greddy diff cover. Both keep the my temps below 250f for 30 minute sessions on a road course.
The Greddy cover definitely lowered temps because I had a sticker on the stock diff before installing it, and saw a drop after. I don't have before and after for the transmission - just after.
I wouldn't even think about doing either if I didn't track the car.
3) If these simple methods hadn't worked, I would have considered a cooler, although I personally would worry about unknown-reliability parts that could increase the probability of dumping oil on the track.
I'd appreciate hearing from others with actual experience (as opposed to speculation).
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 31,835
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From: https://www2.mazda.com/en/100th/
that was a good test!
we put a diff temp sensor on the miata, and we've found that diff temp has some correlation to the way you drive.
driver A, was running 1:54's at sears point/infineon/sonoma this weekend diff temps were 240 ish
driver B, was running about a 2 minute lap, diff temps were 140's
big delta considering both drivers did the same 20 minute sessions, in the same car on the same day on the same track.
we put a diff temp sensor on the miata, and we've found that diff temp has some correlation to the way you drive.
driver A, was running 1:54's at sears point/infineon/sonoma this weekend diff temps were 240 ish
driver B, was running about a 2 minute lap, diff temps were 140's
big delta considering both drivers did the same 20 minute sessions, in the same car on the same day on the same track.
Seems these guys are making them in the USA now... FC3S and FD3S on there site...
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