I don't doubt you, but what is the logic behind only cooling the oil when the least amount of heat is generated?

Why would it not use a thermostatically controled bypass like most other oil cooler applications?

Interesting...
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I would agree.

From what I'm told (my cousin owns a trans shop), when the convertor locks, the valving causes to flow to reverse (this is actually what causes the clutch to lock) and fluid flow changes. This opposite direction is required to get the fluid to flow through to cooler.

Makes no sense to me either, since I'd think that it would make more sense to only cool it when there's convertor slippage (if you *had* to make a choice).

I also remembered that part of the issue with constant locking and unlocking of the convertor is that it puts excessive wear on the convertor clutch mechanism that locks it up. Obviously everything wearable has a finite life, so the less wear, especially under heavy load, the better...