Well, I finally got the gauge working and installed...it took a lot longer then I had expected, but I didn't have much time in the months past.
A few notes: the sensor is on the "cold" exit hose from the cooler, so the temp reading is after the oil has been through the cooler. although some people here know already, I am using a B&M cooler and gauge.

On the highway, I noticed exit temps of about 110-120 (outside temp 70) and around town it hovers around 130-160. While stuck in traffic it crept up to 170-180, but once the car got going again, it was back down to 130-160.

Those that wanted this data, hope it helps!

 

Then, isn't this gauge just effectively measuring the engine coolant temp?

 

no he installed a transmission cooler and he's measuring that

 

Daimler,

Good info. Shows what the B&M is capable of when it has airflow. Even at the 170-180 in traffic, it's not that bad.

Thanks for the update.

 

You might want to relocate the sensor to measure the trans itself. After all, that's what's important.

 

I thought about having the gauge measure the hot temp, but that would be worthless because that hot temp was going to be cooled anyway--so that info, while potentially useful, was not really accurate. What I did want to see was the temp after it was cooled, so I could take action if the cooler wasn't doing enough. What this gauge is telling me now is temp of the fluid going into the transmission, after the fluid has been "cooled."--and obviously, if the cooler fluid is still too hot, then I'm in trouble!

 

Kool, thanx. Waiting to see the details on the Comptech cooler to decide.

 

The comptech kit will yield the results stated here. They use the B&M SuperCooler Daimler and I both use. The Comptech kit is complete with instructions and you don't need to fabricate brackets to get a nice clean install. If you can make your own brackets, you can save $100. You just have to decide if it's worth your time. For me it was.

 

I didn't know Comptech makes a cooler kit--my cooler, plus hoses was about 90 bucks, I had some stuff in the garage to make the bracket already...and the gauge was 35 bucks.
On Comptech's site, they recommend the use of Redline oil-I thought we were only supposed to use Honda's Z-1 ATF?

Does anyone have the Comptech Cooler kit? I'd love to see the installation instructions.
thanks!