Replacing your factory transmission pan with a new pan from Mag-Hytec can make your next transmission service easier and a lot less messy—it can even extend the life of your tranny by reducing the fluid temperature and catching metal particles in the fluid preventing them from flowing through the transmission. The Mag-Hytec transmission pans are made from finned aircraft aluminum with deep high capacity sumps for maximum cooling. Rather than rely on leak prone paper gaskets, the pans use an O-ring for the pan to transmission seal (727 Torqueflite models use a hard paper gasket) and the drain plug seal. Yes, the pan has a magnetic drain plug which will allow you to drain the fluid without making a huge mess all over your floor and catch metal particles in the fluid. Additionally the pans are machined to accept a 1/8-inch NPT temperature sender for those who want to closely monitor their transmission fluid temperature. A 1/8-inch NPT pipe plug is installed in the pan from the factory.

Mag-Hytec currently builds transmission pans for Dodge 727-DD, Ford 4R100 and E40D as well as GM 4L60E and 4L80E applications. The pans come with a black powder coated finish with machined fins for a great look. Mag-Hytec includes polished zinc plated Allen head cap screws with stainless steel washers and all the necessary Allen wrenches to install the cover and service the transmission.

We visited our friends at Advantage Performance Center in Riverside, CA to install the Mag-Hytec pan on our 2000 Tahoe Limited project truck’s 4L60E transmission. To remove the factory pan and install the new one took us a little less than 2-hours with time set aside for photography. If you are performing the swap in your garage without the help of a vehicle lift it may take longer so give yourself an afternoon. Also, be sure to pick up a new filter and transmission fluid before you begin, since you won’t be able to use your rig to run down to the local parts store once you start.

Draining the fluid with the factory pan in place is messy but easy enough to do, but you may need to remove the heat shield from the passenger side of the transmission to have clearance to remove the pan. For a little cleaner draining, loosen and remove the bolts at one corner more than the others and tilt the pan allowing the fluid to drain from the corner until the level is low enough to lower the entire pan and drain it into your bucket. The old filter can be removed once the pan is dropped and the new filter can be installed in its place.

With the new filter installed the Mag-Hytec pan is ready to be installed but first you should apply a thin layer of clean transmission fluid to the O-ring to ensure a good seal. Before installing the new pan check the transmission gasket matting surface on the transmission case for dents, irregularities or gouges. If any problems exist, carefully remove the high spots using a smooth flat file—be careful not to round off the flat gasket surface when filing.

After positioning the new pan, align the bolt holes and install the cap screws and tighten them finger tight before torquing them to 12-16-lb-ft in a cross pattern. Do not forget to check the drain plug and 1/8-inch pipe plug for tightness, they need to be tightened to only 30-lb-in so don’t over tighten them. Finally remove the dipstick and fill the transmission with the proper transmission fluid (refer to your owner’s manual if you are unsure of which fluid to use). The new pan holds about 3.3-quarts more fluid than most stock pans. Be sure to fill the transmission to the line on the dipstick then check it with the engine running and transmission in park and add fluid as necessary.

Installing the Mag-Hytec pan is no more difficult than changing the filter with the factory pan, and provides the benefit of making future transmission service much cleaner and easier. It also offers improved looks and enhanced cooling capability so consider installing a Mag-Hytec pan on your 4×4.