Question about Trans coolers.

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Mar 31, 2006 | 10:54 AM

DC118us

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From: Cambridge Ohio

Question about Trans coolers.

I'm going to install a universal radiator without the auto trans cooler integrated with it.

I'm considering the B&M Hi-Tek trans cooler and wanted to know if getting the 24,000 GVW cooler would work, or would it be overkill? I was told the 19,000 GVW cooler would work. I'm just wondering for the same price I can get the larger one, should I?

I've got a fairly stock 350 in a '70 Vette, but will eventually mod the motor more as budget allows...

Any suggestions/thoughts would be appreciated.

TIA

Dino

Mar 31, 2006 | 10:59 AM

GrandSportC3

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From: Lakeland, FL

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St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17

I used a B&M 28000 GVW cooler and my tranny still ran hot. However, my stall speed is 4500+++
I went with the heat sink design coolers and it was a good choice.. Dropped my tranny temperature from 230 degrees after 3 passes to 150 degrees.. What a difference..

Mar 31, 2006 | 11:58 AM

DC118us

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From: Cambridge Ohio

28000 GVW and it still ran hot?

Well, I'll never get my car to the point your blue one is at, so 24,000 will probably be enough, I hope.....

I'm just looking for something to cool my street car. My goal is mid to high 12's if I ever take it to the strip......

Thanks for the assistance.

Dino

Mar 31, 2006 | 12:23 PM

GrandSportC3

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St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17

Quote:

Originally Posted by DC118us

28000 GVW and it still ran hot?

It all depends on your stall speed...
If you go above 3000 RPM, you will need good transmission cooling!

Mar 31, 2006 | 12:39 PM

DC118us

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From: Cambridge Ohio

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrandSportC3

It all depends on your stall speed...
If you go above 3000 RPM, you will need good transmission cooling!

Ok, I'm getting a lesson here. Do you think 1 of those heat sink style coolers would be enough to cool my street car? What brand are your coolers?

Thanks for the help GrandSportC3!

Mar 31, 2006 | 12:50 PM

GrandSportC3

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From: Lakeland, FL

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St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17

Quote:

Originally Posted by DC118us

Ok, I'm getting a lesson here. Do you think 1 of those heat sink style coolers would be enough to cool my street car? What brand are your coolers?

Thanks for the help GrandSportC3!

One 18" cooler or 2 12" coolers would be good enough. I got them off Ebay for very little $.. They are the dual pass design (fluid passes through the cooler twice)

Here's one example:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/12-AL...spagenameZWDVW

Mar 31, 2006 | 01:05 PM

DC118us

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From: Cambridge Ohio

So, sounds like this is the better way to go, than the radiator style cooler.

I like the way your coolers are close to the trans., but I don't think that would be an option for me (undercar exhaust). Do you think an 18" cooler would be just as effective on the side of the radiator core support? I'm thinking it would, but second opinions are always good.

Thanks again for all the help......

Mar 31, 2006 | 01:08 PM

GrandSportC3

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St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17

Quote:

Originally Posted by DC118us

The advantage is that you can mount the heat sink design coolers anywhere.. The regular coolers usually mount in front of the radiator and this causes both, the engine coolant as also the tranny fluid to run hotter because they are heating each other up. There are plenty of places where you can mount the heat sink coolers.. They are really great!!
I chose the exhaust holes because of the size of the coolers. The 18" coolers won't fit sideways but the 12" coolers will!! I have some pics of a friends setup who uses two 12" coolers and he did not use the exhaust holes in the crossmember..

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Mar 31, 2006 | 01:14 PM

DC118us

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From: Cambridge Ohio

I understand! I was thinking off to the side of the core support vertically or the crossmember that the support bolts to, horizontally.

My thinking was that the current lines run to where they attached to the old radiator and this would make installation easier and keep the lines away from the exhaust.

Any tips/tricks/pics are always welcome!

Thanks...

Dino

Mar 31, 2006 | 01:19 PM

#10

GrandSportC3

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St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17

Quote:

Originally Posted by DC118us

Currently I only run metal lines out of the tranny ports and rubber lines to the coolers. I will replace those with braided rubber hoses soon. Those hoses make it easier to install them wherever you want. . Tons of possible locations for the 12" coolers.. It's more difficult to find a good spot for the 18" coolers though...

Mar 31, 2006 | 01:23 PM

#11

DC118us

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From: Cambridge Ohio

Thanks alot! I think I'll be searching underhood this weekend to determine where/how to mount one of these coolers, rather than getting the B&M cooler.....

Thanks again for the great info and possibly saving me the expense of buying a cooler that may not cool enough!

I owe you a beer......

Mar 31, 2006 | 01:29 PM

#12

GrandSportC3

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St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17

Quote:

Originally Posted by DC118us

I don't know if the B&M would work for you. The only thing that I know is that your engine coolant will run hotter if the tranny cooler is mounted on top of the radiator.. Keeping the tranny cooler at a separate location is a very good idea and those heat sink coolers are what you need for that!

Mar 31, 2006 | 01:39 PM

#13

DC118us

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From: Cambridge Ohio

Considering what I've heard about how hard it is keeping these vettes cool, I need to do everything possible to avoid adding problems to it!

I've put less than 200 miles on this thing, since I bought it 4 years ago, but that's another story...........

Thanks again GSC3!

Dino

Mar 31, 2006 | 01:49 PM

#14

GrandSportC3

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St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17

Quote:

Originally Posted by DC118us

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