I doubt thermal grease would help much, unless you put more pressure on the mated surfaces. A thick goopy layer of thermal grease between 2 pieces of metal will act like an insulator.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Big Ben
If you really want to cool the diff, why not just make a cooling system. All you will need is an adapter that will connect to the lower drain hole. Then attach a small oil cooler and a small pump to circulate the diff fluid and return it to the refill hole.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by MacGyver

 

I am an EE, and like Modifry I have seen my fair share of heat sinking equipment, and even designed some (one for a Class-A amplifier that had to dissipate hundreds of watts at idle). We used expensive aluminum heat sinks, and yes, thermal grease (white stuff) between the transistors' cases and the heat sinks in order to get an efficient heat transfer - you would be amazed at the difference it makes.

I like the idea, although something along the lines of a racing solution (like that was optional on the Cobra 'R') using electrical pumps pulling diff fluid through heat exchangers is ideal.

The part even the biggest honking fins does not address is the relatively small amount (.8qt) of fluid doing a lot of work - external sumping or pumping also allows an oincrease in the fluid carried through the lines and exchanger.

Go, xviper, and if your strips don't pan out, it look like you have the makings of an excellent chesse slicer to go along with the "wine glass" tastings.

 

The supercross/motocross mechanics have been using these thermal strips that adhere to the cylinder and heads of the engines. They are very inexpensive and can be ordered in different temperature ranges. Sounds like these would be great for checking the temperature of the differential at more than one place on the housing. Interested?

 

Got a link to show what they look like and cost. Like I said, I'm not in it to spend big bucks.

 

Xviper,
looks like the metal you are using is 26 gage galvannealed steel which will produce sharp edge after cutting. By looking at the texture, a shinely one is usually galvannealed steel with smooth surface like coating, and aluminzed steel is less shinely with rougher surface.
Pure Al are very soft and they will not have a sharp edge when you cut it.
So, i am not sure are you using the metal that you prefer.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by JohnChan
Xviper,

 

Xviper. I dug through my recent Motocross Action magazines looking for that article about the thermal strips. I found it! Here's the link. WWW.racetemp.com
I'm going to order several of these stips myself.

 

Thermal grease instructions always tell you to use as little as possible on a heatsink. The main way the stuff works is by eliminating tiny pockets of air between the heatsink and CPU. Put too much in, and like gernby said it'll act as an insulator.

To be effective, you'll have to solder the fins on.

You have a great idea, but I think you'll need to develop it more to have any effect.

(Even better would be a transmission cooling system!)