[dontlifttoshift]

Here is my take. The T56 in my Camaro had the front plate removed and I sent it to Bower and they set it up with the internal mechanical pump and this whole time I have had hose looped around and it just circulates to it self.

I had big plans......

I drain the fluid at the end of the season, every season, and it looks like new. I do 3 or 4 track days a year and I am typically only out for 15 minutes at a time. I'm just not that hard on it.

That said, mechanical pump is fool proof and will help it warm up quicker by grabbing heat from the coolant as it circulates through the radiator. Mechanical pump also packages better. If you are going to put harder miles on it than me with alot more horsepower, it's probably worth it. If not, the trans cooler in the radiator is perfect for power steering fluid.......that's what I use mine for.