Auto tranny cooler....
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,616
Likes: 5
From: Sandhills of North Carolina
Auto tranny cooler....
My new stall will be here soon from Pete K. I want and probably need to install a external cooler for the transmission. Should I bypass the radiator or leave it in line? Thanks, -Mike
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 8,838
Likes: 31
From: Australia
Big can of worms.Many previous debates
Some say run through stock cooler to get trans up to operating temp faster;
Others say run stand alone to prevent heat from radiator heating up trans fluid on the basis coolant has potential to be hotter than optimum temp for trans.
Some say run through stock cooler to get trans up to operating temp faster;
Others say run stand alone to prevent heat from radiator heating up trans fluid on the basis coolant has potential to be hotter than optimum temp for trans.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 13,963
Likes: 709
From: WI
I've been doing some testing with it run through the radiator and without. I would like to test it more but so far I have found that it doesn't run much cooler. It does however heat up much faster at idle and get much hotter. At this point I recomend leaving it through the radiator. So far I've only seen 5° cooler at cruise without the radiator. I have found the trans to run cool at cruise and the heat issue to be at idle or slow speed, so I recomend a fan. I feel like I should have went bigger with the cooler, so buy a large one with a fan!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 5,141
Likes: 7
From: Metairie Louisiana
I was going to post the link to my install but a search won't pull it up. Is something going on with the forum?
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,616
Likes: 5
From: Sandhills of North Carolina
I have searched.......before Tues
Just wanted to see what the current consensus was. I can see where it would be a good debate. So I guess I'll ask this......heat sink cooler or air flow thru?
Last edited by Weav's Vet; Aug 8, 2008 at 01:39 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
From: Roseville on the weekends/Pacifica Ca
When I installed my trans cooler, I bypassed the stock one. It seems to run a lot cooler then it did before.
Last edited by Hey8You; Aug 9, 2008 at 01:23 PM. Reason: added pic
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,783
Likes: 15
From: Northern California
On a daily driven vehicle, the transcooler should be run in series with the stock radiator cooler.
I used a heat sink design transcooler because I didn't like how the flow through design transcoolers block the front of the AC condensor but, the flow through design transcoolers are more efficient. I just installed the heat sink transcooler in series for some added protection.
I used a heat sink design transcooler because I didn't like how the flow through design transcoolers block the front of the AC condensor but, the flow through design transcoolers are more efficient. I just installed the heat sink transcooler in series for some added protection.
Last edited by GKK; Aug 9, 2008 at 10:12 AM.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 2,471
Likes: 2
From: 1993 Quasar Blue 'vert Scottsdale AZ
I run mine in a series. First through a Ron Davis radiator, then through a B&M supercooler mounted on the front of the condenser. I am waiting for Aardwolf to do some more testing to decide what to do. I have an Autometer trans. temp gauge sitting on my coffee table waiting to be installed, then maybe I can do some testing.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,858
Likes: 7
From: Santa Maria CA
I run mine in line with stock radiator. I mounted the B&M cooler at the the very front for maximum cooling.
Did not negatively affect my coolant temps by sittin in front of radiator. I did not bother with guages.
Did not negatively affect my coolant temps by sittin in front of radiator. I did not bother with guages.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 13,963
Likes: 709
From: WI
I run mine in a series. First through a Ron Davis radiator, then through a B&M supercooler mounted on the front of the condenser. I am waiting for Aardwolf to do some more testing to decide what to do. I have an Autometer trans. temp gauge sitting on my coffee table waiting to be installed, then maybe I can do some testing.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 960
Likes: 0
From: CA
Unfortunately I am back to square one as I can't compare anymore, my trans burnt up. I have had it rebuilt but the temp sensor is now in the case instead of the pan. So I'll have to start over comparing things. I've also thrown on the used Derale cooling pan I got from Pete.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 13,963
Likes: 709
From: WI
120,000 on it and a previous owner had it rebuilt, we could tell by the parts once it was a part. The 3-4 burned up and the band, both weak points. The pan was all full of the gray material. I put the cooler on a year or two ago. I like to road race the car so the trans really takes a beating.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 9,938
Likes: 38
From: South Carolina
St. Jude Donor '03 & '05
I would really be interested in before and after temps. You never really here the benefits based on numbers. We know a cooler is very important on the A4. I run mine with my BeCool radiator in line to my external. My laser guided temp reader says around 160-180 degrees. 2800 rpm Vigilante and 3.75 gears.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,616
Likes: 5
From: Sandhills of North Carolina
I would really be interested in before and after temps. You never really here the benefits based on numbers. We know a cooler is very important on the A4. I run mine with my BeCool radiator in line to my external. My laser guided temp reader says around 160-180 degrees. 2800 rpm Vigilante and 3.75 gears.
I'm surprised no one has put a simple cut off in line of one of these coolers to see the difference. I mean how could that be with the rubber hoses and all.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,493
Likes: 94
From: Westfield MA
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
From: Roseville on the weekends/Pacifica Ca
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,493
Likes: 94
From: Westfield MA
Thanks, Bruce
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
From: Roseville on the weekends/Pacifica Ca
Here are more pics of where I cut the line.
