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2010 2011 BMW 5 Series Forum F10 F10 Technical Topics Engine, Transmission, Exhaust, Drivetrain, ECU Software Modifications Aluminum Automatic Transmission Oil Pan
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      09-06-2021, 03:36 AM   #1
kimoboy
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Lightbulb Aluminum Automatic Transmission Oil Pan

Isn't better to change from oem plastic pan to aluminum for heat dissipation.

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-uro-prem...118612901~uro/
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      09-24-2021, 09:50 AM   #2
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NO...

Absolutely not....!

Don't mess with the tranny. pan.
Get the OEM or ZF Pan, otherwise you may be looking at a very expensive repair bill.

This one comes with new bolts and the filter media is bigger than the stock OEM one.
You may need to transfer one of the magnets from the old pan.
Mine only had 3, it should have four.


https://www.autopartsway.ca/partdeta.../pagenum1/tabs



Quote:
Originally Posted by kimoboy View Post
Isn't better to change from oem plastic pan to aluminum for heat dissipation.

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-uro-prem...118612901~uro/
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      09-24-2021, 10:04 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kimoboy View Post
Isn't better to change from oem plastic pan to aluminum for heat dissipation.

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-uro-prem...118612901~uro/

I thought the same thing; better heat dissipation.
The filter media in these is very minimal, i would not trust it.
The tolerances in these transmissions are incredible. You don't want loose particles floating through it.

Check out this comparison.
The White Media Filter is the ZF one.
Black is OEM BMW
Alum is the URO one.
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      09-24-2021, 10:12 AM   #4
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The ZF 8HP transmission fits on many different cars/truck models.

This aluminum pan I believe was designed for the Dodge ZF trans.

That being said, it bolts up the same, but the thinner (2mm) and smaller filter surface area is going to limit filtration, and maybe affect oil flow.




Quote:
Originally Posted by kimoboy View Post
Isn't better to change from oem plastic pan to aluminum for heat dissipation.

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-uro-prem...118612901~uro/
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      09-24-2021, 10:22 AM   #5
COUWK
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.....and if you do end up using it anyway

MAKE SURE you remove the filter cover (9 small torx bolts)
There is a rubber gasket and a very thin paper like filter in there.

On the top metal cover piece; I'd go and have it sandblasted to remove ANY chips and edges.
You can use a file and sandpaper if you don't have access to a sandblaster.

Make sure it is super clean and debris free, as this portion is after the filter media, and any debris in there will go straight up into your transmission/valve body.

How do i know?
I found aluminum chips in the filters of the valve body and the oil pan.

It was a very upsetting experience.



Quote:
Originally Posted by kimoboy View Post
Isn't better to change from oem plastic pan to aluminum for heat dissipation.

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-uro-prem...118612901~uro/

Last edited by COUWK; 09-24-2021 at 10:36 AM..
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      09-25-2021, 05:04 AM   #6
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OK

I found this. looks nice
https://www.zeggmotorsports.com/?fbc...x0qsXAo56rQ9G0

Soon they will have for F10 N55.



Quote:
Originally Posted by COUWK View Post
I thought the same thing; better heat dissipation.
The filter media in these is very minimal, i would not trust it.
The tolerances in these transmissions are incredible. You don't want loose particles floating through it.

Check out this comparison.
The White Media Filter is the ZF one.
Black is OEM BMW
Alum is the URO one.
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BMW535iva291.00
      09-25-2021, 05:43 AM   #7
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Wow, that looks amazing... I really like it.

For the ZF 8HP, like you said, coming soon

https://www.zeggmotorsports.com/prod...e/zegg-zf8hpxx


Quote:
Originally Posted by kimoboy View Post
OK

I found this. looks nice
https://www.zeggmotorsports.com/?fbc...x0qsXAo56rQ9G0

Soon they will have for F10 N55.
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      09-25-2021, 11:38 AM   #8
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Unless you're tracking the car seriously, not worth the money.
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      09-25-2021, 02:15 PM   #9
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Its just $299

https://www.zeggmotorsports.com/prod...e/zegg-zf6hpxx


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Originally Posted by Unspec View Post
Unless you're tracking the car seriously, not worth the money.
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      09-25-2021, 03:39 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kimoboy View Post
OE pan is 140.99 with hardware and replacement fill plug. The 8HP Zegg one is $349.99.

Your money, your choice, but this is literally just setting money on fire. Especially given that some models have transmission coolers, and lacking that, have a coolant-to-transmission heat exchanger.
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      09-25-2021, 03:52 PM   #11
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Which models have atf coolers. The atf heat exchangers kind of useless.
I live in hot climate which can reach to 104f in summer. I will wait and see the reviews first.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Unspec View Post
OE pan is 140.99 with hardware and replacement fill plug. The 8HP Zegg one is $349.99.

Your money, your choice, but this is literally just setting money on fire. Especially given that some models have transmission coolers, and lacking that, have a coolant-to-transmission heat exchanger.
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      09-25-2021, 08:06 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kimoboy View Post
Which models have atf coolers. The atf heat exchangers kind of useless.
I live in hot climate which can reach to 104f in summer. I will wait and see the reviews first.
The underbody is covered in a plastic/felt thing anyhow. There's not much airflow going to the transmission pan.

I believe the 35's have the cooler.
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      09-25-2021, 11:35 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Unspec View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by kimoboy View Post
Which models have atf coolers. The atf heat exchangers kind of useless.
I live in hot climate which can reach to 104f in summer. I will wait and see the reviews first.
The underbody is covered in a plastic/felt thing anyhow. There's not much airflow going to the transmission pan.

I believe the 35's have the cooler.
Isn't there a thread about using the x5M aluminum transmission pan cover that has the much taller fins for heat transfer.. should be on here somewhere..
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      09-26-2021, 12:35 PM   #14
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This is the classic solution in search of a problem.
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      09-26-2021, 04:16 PM   #15
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Looks like it will hang down another 1/2" below the original plastic pan to hold the additional 0.4qt of extra trans fluid....

All good until it gets crushed on one of those Costco parking lot speed bumps or
a parking lot to main road transition locations that also include a California "gutter"....an unappreciated risk.

A factory trans fluid cooler is a much better solution....IMHO.
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      09-27-2021, 07:12 AM   #16
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Did anyone stop to think about what problem they are trying to fix with an alum pan? These ZF trans have more than proven themselves. We have cars running 9s-10s in the 1/4 on the stock trans. We have cars with 200k miles on the original fluid.

Aside from the specifics of what an alum pan will change, what are you actually improving when the ZF already out performs (both performance and reliability wise)just about every other trans offered in the current market?

Sure, someone is going to respond about how theirs blew up or they had a buddies that grenaded. There are exceptions to every average. But regular fluid changes (every 30-60k) with the OE pan is more than enough to keep it going strong. You are more likely to add a problem than you are to extend the life of this trans with an alum pan.
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      09-29-2021, 08:07 PM   #17
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After going through what i did... I wish i could turn back time.
Even still i don't really know what caused it, neither does the shop that fixed it, but i suspect something to do with that aluminum pan...
What i did was probably reduce the useful life of a perfectly functional trans.


After seeing and comparing the OEM ZF pan, I'd say stick with it 100%
you just want to keep the junk from getting to the valve body...!



Quote:
Originally Posted by BettyFkinCrocker View Post
Did anyone stop to think about what problem they are trying to fix with an alum pan? These ZF trans have more than proven themselves. We have cars running 9s-10s in the 1/4 on the stock trans. We have cars with 200k miles on the original fluid.

Aside from the specifics of what an alum pan will change, what are you actually improving when the ZF already out performs (both performance and reliability wise)just about every other trans offered in the current market?

Sure, someone is going to respond about how theirs blew up or they had a buddies that grenaded. There are exceptions to every average. But regular fluid changes (every 30-60k) with the OE pan is more than enough to keep it going strong. You are more likely to add a problem than you are to extend the life of this trans with an alum pan.
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      09-29-2021, 08:25 PM   #18
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for ref.

Clutch A fused almost solid.
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      09-30-2021, 07:01 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by COUWK View Post
After going through what i did... I wish i could turn back time.
Even still i don't really know what caused it, neither does the shop that fixed it, but i suspect something to do with that aluminum pan...
What i did was probably reduce the useful life of a perfectly functional trans.


After seeing and comparing the OEM ZF pan, I'd say stick with it 100%
you just want to keep the junk from getting to the valve body...!
Wow, sorry to hear/see that.

My first guess of causes would probably be reduced/turbulent flow.
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      09-30-2021, 02:26 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BettyFkinCrocker View Post
Wow, sorry to hear/see that.

My first guess of causes would probably be reduced/turbulent flow.

....that was my thinking, lack of flow/pressure, slipping clutches = burned clutches

Lesson learned....!
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      10-18-2021, 10:40 PM   #21
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Ouch!!! That sucks!

Once you step away from the OEM-tested configuration you're on your own!
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      05-31-2022, 07:29 PM   #22
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So I tried the ZF (white filter version) and the tech told me it doesn't fit. Something to do with the way the drain plug design is on the inside (like a mushroom). I had to go with one that looked the same as BMW OEM (the black one).
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