Weird A4LD death

So after bragging to my buddy about how good my little 2.3 is running, the tranny pukes on us right after going to a Mustang boneyard today. (got raped and paid $30 for a ds fender extension). So I pull over at a convenient store after seeing the smoke show behind me and tranny fluid is pouring out from somewhere, can't tell. We let it cool down and I bought two quarts of fluid, added it, and went on our way. It got us the 50 miles back to work but smoked like heck going up hills. What is weird is that we stopped twice to check the fluid level and it was just fine.

I've been looking for an excuse to swap a 5-speed in her, so I'm not upset. I just don't understand what happened??

Thanks for that info, I'll definitely check the connections out.

My father-in-law suggested that I look into an external oil cooler. His idea was to still allow the original feed line to go into the radiator, but then the return line will go into the feed line of the additional cooler and of course the return will go back into the trans. What do you all think?

If this is a good idea, what level of cooler would you suggest? I was looking at rockauto.com (love that place) and they have a light, medium and heavy duty version plus they have 3 levels of a rapid cool type. I was guessing that a medium duty in the ultra cool version might suffice. Its dimensions are "Core 5 1/2", Depth 3/4", Height 7 1/2", Width 11" Below is a link.

More Information for FOUR SEASONS 53001

Thanks!

Just to give an update, I haven't done anything about the trans since the incident. I've decided to take this time and prep the body for paint. I'm driving the '03 daily for now until I get the '93 painted over the summer. I guess then I'll have to decide whether or not to try the fluid cooler or just do the swap. I have designs to make this car my daughters first car, which is only 5-years away , so I'd really like it to remain automatic. And wouldn't you know, just a few days before it died I replaced all 6 speakers with good stuff...