Does a 700R4 need a cooler?
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Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Yuma Az
Does a 700R4 need a cooler?
Title says it all. I just put a 700R4 in from rossler and want to know if it needs a transmission cooler. I hear they have poor circulation and even that they dont send fluid around in overdrive?? Any tech info would be great, and how do I even tell the temp my tranny is?
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
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From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado
Yes, it needs a cooler, but the in-radiator cooler is adequate for most stock applications. It does not need to run the fluid through the cooler when in OD since the converter is locked up in this configuration. With the converter locked up, there is no heat being generated from converter slippage. But in stop-n-go traffic, and when the converter is not locked, there will be as much heat generated as any other auto trans. The cooler you can keep it, the longer it will last.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
Originally Posted by johnyrundle
.....how do I even tell the temp my tranny is?
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
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From: Orange Park Florida
Lars is right, but only to a point, the use of any 700r4 based tranny in any vechicle wether stock or not is problematic at BEST, the failure rate exceeds most any other tranny out there, it's THAT BAD....there is an inherent weakness of cooling in the 3/4 clutch pack, and has been attempted to be corrected about a dozen times from various aftermarket vendors...the list of possible clutch combos and drums and whatevers, plus drilling passages for superior cooliing/oil circulation seems to be not effective enough to cure the problems....meaning basic design is not worth a damn.....go to any site with parts available for the 700r4 and look at about 200 items or some such stupid high number....all that just to mod the unit to so called Hi Perf Specs.....forgetaboutit....
YES the tranny need the very largest cooler you can find, a freaking freezer/chiller to a tractor/trailer may well fill the bill, but maybe not....
GENE
YES the tranny need the very largest cooler you can find, a freaking freezer/chiller to a tractor/trailer may well fill the bill, but maybe not....
GENE
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
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St. Jude Donor '07
Originally Posted by mrvette
Lars is right, but only to a point, the use of any 700r4 based tranny in any vechicle wether stock or not is problematic at BEST, the failure rate exceeds most any other tranny out there, it's THAT BAD....there is an inherent weakness of cooling in the 3/4 clutch pack, and has been attempted to be corrected about a dozen times from various aftermarket vendors...the list of possible clutch combos and drums and whatevers, plus drilling passages for superior cooliing/oil circulation seems to be not effective enough to cure the problems....meaning basic design is not worth a damn.....go to any site with parts available for the 700r4 and look at about 200 items or some such stupid high number....all that just to mod the unit to so called Hi Perf Specs.....forgetaboutit....
YES the tranny need the very largest cooler you can find, a freaking freezer/chiller to a tractor/trailer may well fill the bill, but maybe not....
GENE
YES the tranny need the very largest cooler you can find, a freaking freezer/chiller to a tractor/trailer may well fill the bill, but maybe not....
GENE
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 4,135
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i got 325,000 miles on my gmc safari ,,and the odometer broke 3 yrs ago !! so i must be a canadate for the guiness book of world records,,i dont know how many are on it now,,,w/ a 700 r-4 its a 1989.so.i think i got my moneys worth,,b t w its a 4.3 liter and i still never add any oil between 3,000 mile changes frt end was greased every other oil change all origional tie rods ball joints everything but the idler arms,,, there lifetime guarenteed,,so i dont care about them going out,,and the design blows...i bought a cooler for the 73.s 700r-4,,,but havent found a place i like it mounted,,think i may go w/ the ''heat sink''looking remote cooler ...you can mount it anywhere, so i have read..doesnt have to go in frt of the engine for air flo..if i get a third of those miles out of the vettes 700r4 ill be happy.. cant beat the 2200 rpms at 80 mph w/373 rear gears,,
Last edited by carl a; Mar 31, 2006 at 08:48 PM.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Chattanooga TN
My wife's Suburban is pushing 200K miles on a 4L60E which is the same guts as a 700R4. Had a fluid change at 100k, ready for another one. That's it, never a moments problem with it. Tow boats and cars on trailers regularly. They are not THAT BAD! I also have them in my 69 and my 83 truck. The original one in the 83 truck went 80k pulling trailers probably half that mileage before it ate the front pump-but that was good for the early ones. Just because some people can't find somebody to build it and properly set it up does not make it a bad transmission. Yes, the early ones had issues; get an 88 up for a core and you'll be fine. TV cable adjustment is critical on these. Don't put it in and think "i'll get to it later".
To answer the original question, yes you need a cooler like any automatic. In my opinion you do not need an extra auxillary cooler in a Corvette unless you are making serious power. For a cruiser car, the one in the radiator is enough.
To answer the original question, yes you need a cooler like any automatic. In my opinion you do not need an extra auxillary cooler in a Corvette unless you are making serious power. For a cruiser car, the one in the radiator is enough.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,844
Likes: 99
From: Orrtanna Pa.
I installed a 10"X15" cooler n front of my Griffen aluminum radiator (no tranny circuit) and ran a TCI guage with the sender in the pan. Never went over 170,even on 95 degree days pulling hills.
The 406 and I both agree the 700r4 wll not hold serious power,so a full manual th400 tranny is in the works.A cruiser should have no problem,as the innards of the 700r4 are the same basc rating as the th350 in stock form.
The 406 and I both agree the 700r4 wll not hold serious power,so a full manual th400 tranny is in the works.A cruiser should have no problem,as the innards of the 700r4 are the same basc rating as the th350 in stock form.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 535
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From: Southaven MS
I can tell you in the South where I live it gets pretty hot, and my 700 use to get really hot. I could tell b/c the metal part of the shifter would about burn my hand. I installed a tranny cooler and the shifter just gets a little warm. I know not the most scientific way, but it is enough proof for me.
This was in stop and go driving.
This was in stop and go driving.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,562
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From: Spring Texas
Originally Posted by markdtn
My wife's Suburban is pushing 200K miles on a 4L60E which is the same guts as a 700R4.
