thoughts on external auto tranny cooler
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Pro
Joined: May 2006
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From: Pittsburgh PA
thoughts on external auto tranny cooler
I am thinking about by passing my radiator cooler and going with an external. Its a 1990 and this next year I will be replacing the transmission. I want to work up to a better system. Has anyone made the switch? If so could you please share what you did? Thanks, Jack
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2008
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On our 84 we have an external a/t cooler. The previous owner installed it...BEHIND the radiator
In this case I suspect it actually increased the tranny temp. We relocated it in front of the radiator and added a temp gauge and we dig it. I have added them in the past to our cars here in the bahamas as well due to hte extreme heat and have had no ill-effect, it may just help up in my head though
lol. Seriously I recommend and dig it!
In this case I suspect it actually increased the tranny temp. We relocated it in front of the radiator and added a temp gauge and we dig it. I have added them in the past to our cars here in the bahamas as well due to hte extreme heat and have had no ill-effect, it may just help up in my head though lol. Seriously I recommend and dig it!
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2006
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From: Pittsburgh PA
I am thinking about by passing my radiator cooler and going with an external. Its a 1990 and this next year I will be replacing the transmission. I want to work up to a better system. Has anyone made the switch? If so could you please share what you did? Thanks, Jack
Instructor
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Its about 11" by 15" appx. we upgraded the lines to stainless steel flexible hoses with earl an fittings. It goes from the trans to the original radiator cooler, then from the original radiator cooler around to the front of the radiator to the new trans cooler and then back to the trans. On this smae car we added an exterior oil cooler, not for any particular reason except I dig the way it looks
Le Mans Master
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From: Greenwood Indiana
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I would add a cooler to your existing system. the most effective heat transfer is from oil to water. Oil to air isn't nearly as efficient, but it really makes a difference in temps when you use both.
Locate the return line from the radiator and splice in the cooler. To tell which is which, start the car cold> feel both cooling lines from tranny> the one that gets warm first is the one taking fluid to the radiator> the cooler line is the one you want to put the tranny-cooler on.
I think trannies run about 230*-250*. Going through the radiator first will drop it down closer to 200*. Maybe knock off another 10-20* with the cooler. Heat is the #1 cause of transmission failure.
:
Locate the return line from the radiator and splice in the cooler. To tell which is which, start the car cold> feel both cooling lines from tranny> the one that gets warm first is the one taking fluid to the radiator> the cooler line is the one you want to put the tranny-cooler on.
I think trannies run about 230*-250*. Going through the radiator first will drop it down closer to 200*. Maybe knock off another 10-20* with the cooler. Heat is the #1 cause of transmission failure.
:
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 175
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From: Cave Creek Arizona
Like johnnymo63 says, add the new tran cooler to your existing system.
I towed a boat for years (not with the Vette) and I had an aux cooler in front of the rad. I worked fine.
Just insert the fluid lines in series with your existing radiator cooler.
I towed a boat for years (not with the Vette) and I had an aux cooler in front of the rad. I worked fine.
Just insert the fluid lines in series with your existing radiator cooler.
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Melting Slicks
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From: Kathleen FL
230-250 is WAY hot for ANY transmission. With temps that high, you could have a short lived transmission! Ideally for the longest life, transmission temps should be in the 170s and about 140-150 in the pan. I personally don't like that crappy transmission cooler in the radiator. It is woefully inadequate. I have a 15"x15" external transmission cooler mounted in front of my radiator and the fluid temps are in the 140s cruising and up to 190 on a hot day with a lot of heavy throttle.
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I would add a cooler to your existing system. the most effective heat transfer is from oil to water. Oil to air isn't nearly as efficient, but it really makes a difference in temps when you use both.
Locate the return line from the radiator and splice in the cooler. To tell which is which, start the car cold> feel both cooling lines from tranny> the one that gets warm first is the one taking fluid to the radiator> the cooler line is the one you want to put the tranny-cooler on.
I think trannies run about 230*-250*. Going through the radiator first will drop it down closer to 200*. Maybe knock off another 10-20* with the cooler. Heat is the #1 cause of transmission failure.:
Locate the return line from the radiator and splice in the cooler. To tell which is which, start the car cold> feel both cooling lines from tranny> the one that gets warm first is the one taking fluid to the radiator> the cooler line is the one you want to put the tranny-cooler on.
I think trannies run about 230*-250*. Going through the radiator first will drop it down closer to 200*. Maybe knock off another 10-20* with the cooler. Heat is the #1 cause of transmission failure.
:
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From: Pittsburgh PA
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There have been many threads on this so for more info check a search. It's easy to add a cooler. I recomend one with a fan! I put in a trans temp gauge and at slow speeds the trans gets hot without a fan. I plan to add one still.
Also I am not sure keeping the radiator cooler is a good idea, the coolant is almost always higher temp then the trans. This helps warm up the trans in a cool climate which is why I have mine connected yet. For track events this summer I am going to bypass the radiator.
A few pics:
Also I am not sure keeping the radiator cooler is a good idea, the coolant is almost always higher temp then the trans. This helps warm up the trans in a cool climate which is why I have mine connected yet. For track events this summer I am going to bypass the radiator.
A few pics:
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 583
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From: Pittsburgh PA
There have been many threads on this so for more info check a search. It's easy to add a cooler. I recomend one with a fan! I put in a trans temp gauge and at slow speeds the trans gets hot without a fan. I plan to add one still.
Also I am not sure keeping the radiator cooler is a good idea, the coolant is almost always higher temp then the trans. This helps warm up the trans in a cool climate which is why I have mine connected yet. For track events this summer I am going to bypass the radiator.
A few pics:
Also I am not sure keeping the radiator cooler is a good idea, the coolant is almost always higher temp then the trans. This helps warm up the trans in a cool climate which is why I have mine connected yet. For track events this summer I am going to bypass the radiator.
A few pics:
Thanks for the pics. What size are the fittings? I am thinking about redoing the the lines completely.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 5,141
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From: Metairie Louisiana
Yes and it will run cooler without the radiator passage. Mine is in front of a Dewitt radiator. My trans temps are always a lot cooler then my coolant temps. If you live in a cold climate then you may want to use the radiator passage to prevent it from being too cool.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 5,141
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From: Metairie Louisiana
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...ghlight=cooler
B&M Universal Supercooler #70266. (20,500 BTU)
B&M Universal Supercooler #70266. (20,500 BTU)