96 auto trans cooler question?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 1,324
Likes: 18
From: St. Peters MO
96 auto trans cooler question?
I've been wanting to add a transmission cooler to my 96 with the 4L60E auto trans.
While laying under the car looking for space / idea's / ect..., I notice the power steering cooler and it appears you could mount a 2nd power steering cooler on the same brackets so they would be basically back to back, but the new one would be up-side down. Tubing looks to be the same size where a rubber line (oil line, not emmissions line) could be spliced into the existing metal line going from the radiator to the trans. for cooling.
I would add the external cooler after the radiator cooling and on the return to the transmission.
So which transmission line is the return line? the one attached to the top of the radiator? or the one attached to the bottom of the radiator?
Has anyone tried this? Did it work / fit OK ?
Or is there a better solution for cooler type, placement, ect...,
While laying under the car looking for space / idea's / ect..., I notice the power steering cooler and it appears you could mount a 2nd power steering cooler on the same brackets so they would be basically back to back, but the new one would be up-side down. Tubing looks to be the same size where a rubber line (oil line, not emmissions line) could be spliced into the existing metal line going from the radiator to the trans. for cooling.
I would add the external cooler after the radiator cooling and on the return to the transmission.
So which transmission line is the return line? the one attached to the top of the radiator? or the one attached to the bottom of the radiator?
Has anyone tried this? Did it work / fit OK ?
Or is there a better solution for cooler type, placement, ect...,
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 34,988
Likes: 515
From: Riverside County Southern California
Co-winner 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
2018 Corvette of Year Finalist
2017 C4 of Year
2016 C7 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '20
I mounted mine in front of the condensator.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,783
Likes: 15
From: Northern California
I mounted a "Heat Sink" transmission cooler I bought from Jeg's.
I like the heat sink design because it doesn't rely on airflow to cool properly and I didn't want anything mounted directly to the radiator or condensor.
The top transmission tube is the output from the transmission and the bottom is the return back to the transmission. I cut the bottom return tube and connected the radiator end to the heat sink cooler and from the cooler back to the other end of the return line. You could buy adapters to convert from NPT to AN or to a Barb end so, you don't have to cut the transmission return tube.
I just installed the transmission cooler for added protection.
Mounted on the upper radiator shroud.
Front view.
I like the heat sink design because it doesn't rely on airflow to cool properly and I didn't want anything mounted directly to the radiator or condensor.
The top transmission tube is the output from the transmission and the bottom is the return back to the transmission. I cut the bottom return tube and connected the radiator end to the heat sink cooler and from the cooler back to the other end of the return line. You could buy adapters to convert from NPT to AN or to a Barb end so, you don't have to cut the transmission return tube.
I just installed the transmission cooler for added protection.
Mounted on the upper radiator shroud.
Front view.
Last edited by GKK; Jun 24, 2009 at 12:25 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,043
Likes: 8
From: Tampa Florida
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 1,324
Likes: 18
From: St. Peters MO
I notice the power steering cooler and it appears you could mount a 2nd power steering cooler on the same brackets so they would be basically back to back, but the new one would be up-side down. Tubing looks to be the same size where a rubber line (oil line, not emmissions line) could be spliced into the existing metal line going from the radiator to the trans. for cooling.
This is looking from the front, towards the rear of the car notice the solid mounting and ample space. yet not enough space for most aftermarket coolers (not enough height room)
This is looking from the passenger side wheel well you can see the power steering rack above it.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,492
Likes: 94
From: Westfield MA
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-t...on-cooler.html
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 1,324
Likes: 18
From: St. Peters MO
check out this thread for a similar solution to your idea:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-t...on-cooler.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-t...on-cooler.html
All I need to do is find a decent power steering cooler for a "donor"
My transmission fluid normally reaches 240 deg. while autocrossing in summer time. Ocasionaly spikes a bit higher, but drops down quick.
My water temps stay below 210 deg. normaly lower than 200 deg.
I'd like to have trans. fluid temps peak at 210 - 220 deg. MAX!
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 13,953
Likes: 706
From: WI
Then you want a very large efficient cooler with a fan. Mine on a road course only gets to 200°. I doubt a small one behind the radiator will help but try it and let us know. I also doubt the heat sink type helps much. I've found the trans to stay cool at cruise and get real hot at slow speeds and stop lights. I've also found that once the trans gets hot it's difficult to cool it down.
Pic of mine:
It's not run through the radiator cooler right now. That lowered the temp only a few degrees but keeps the trans cooler longer as the coolant doesn't preheat the trans. It was 90° out the other day and I drove it on the street, the trans peaked at 155° for a 30 mile cruise. At the first stop light it went up to 200° with no fan then took a long time to come back down. At the track I use a fan to cool it between sessions.
Pic of mine:
It's not run through the radiator cooler right now. That lowered the temp only a few degrees but keeps the trans cooler longer as the coolant doesn't preheat the trans. It was 90° out the other day and I drove it on the street, the trans peaked at 155° for a 30 mile cruise. At the first stop light it went up to 200° with no fan then took a long time to come back down. At the track I use a fan to cool it between sessions.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 1,324
Likes: 18
From: St. Peters MO
OK, I found a very good used power steering cooler in a junkyard for a 92-96 Vette.
Donor Cooler
notice the bent fins, It is needed to clear the electric fan motor.
Here it is installed looking in from passenger wheel well
Installed looking up from the floor
The pictures above also show the power steering cooler, the donor cooler is another power steering cooler converted to transmission cooling service and mounted to the same bolts and mounting flanges.
Pictures earlier in this post show the stock set-up with the power steering cooler only.
These are pretty good sized coolers, 12" wide by 4" high and 2" thick with 10 passes of the tubing. As you can see, space is limited, however, the electric radiator fans will be pushing air right thru them. Albiet hot air after passing thru the radiator, but air movement is good.
I'm taking it out autocrossing this weekend (14 events, NCCC low-speed, Fishers, Indiana [near Indianapolis]) and it will be hot and humid, so we'll see how my tranny temps are.
I'll post results next week
Donor Cooler
notice the bent fins, It is needed to clear the electric fan motor.
Here it is installed looking in from passenger wheel well
Installed looking up from the floor
The pictures above also show the power steering cooler, the donor cooler is another power steering cooler converted to transmission cooling service and mounted to the same bolts and mounting flanges.
Pictures earlier in this post show the stock set-up with the power steering cooler only.
These are pretty good sized coolers, 12" wide by 4" high and 2" thick with 10 passes of the tubing. As you can see, space is limited, however, the electric radiator fans will be pushing air right thru them. Albiet hot air after passing thru the radiator, but air movement is good.
I'm taking it out autocrossing this weekend (14 events, NCCC low-speed, Fishers, Indiana [near Indianapolis]) and it will be hot and humid, so we'll see how my tranny temps are.
I'll post results next week
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 5,141
Likes: 7
From: Metairie Louisiana
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 1,324
Likes: 18
From: St. Peters MO
RESULTS:
Well, weather did not cooperate very well, lots of rain, cooler air temps as well. But,......highest tans temp seen was only 203 deg. F
Actually the trans was cooler than the water temp. which is exact oppiste of what I had before.
I'm going to try it again, (in the interest of science
) autocrossing next weekend in Quincey, IL. this time with two drivers in the car so it will get twice the abuse and much less cool down time between runs.
Now I'm talkin' NCCC autocross where 7 events in a day equals 14 runs times 2 drivers equals 28 runs in 1 day on the car. often back to back, engine stays running during driver switch.
I'll post those results after that event.
But so far, I'm impressed.
Well, weather did not cooperate very well, lots of rain, cooler air temps as well. But,......highest tans temp seen was only 203 deg. F
Actually the trans was cooler than the water temp. which is exact oppiste of what I had before.
I'm going to try it again, (in the interest of science
) autocrossing next weekend in Quincey, IL. this time with two drivers in the car so it will get twice the abuse and much less cool down time between runs.Now I'm talkin' NCCC autocross where 7 events in a day equals 14 runs times 2 drivers equals 28 runs in 1 day on the car. often back to back, engine stays running during driver switch.
I'll post those results after that event.
But so far, I'm impressed.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 3,504
Likes: 4
From: Mexico Beach FL
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,783
Likes: 15
From: Northern California
I don't have a trans temp gauge connected. I just installed the trans cooler for added protection since I figured it couldn't hurt.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 13,953
Likes: 706
From: WI
What were your trans temps normal driving before the cooler? You only mention 240° temps in autox. IMO 203° for normal driving is to high, mine only reaches 150°. But at the track it goes up to 200°. Remember to add 50° for output temp to get an idea of the real temp at the converter. I think you'll still see 240° in autox putting you around 290° which is well in the danger zone.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 1,324
Likes: 18
From: St. Peters MO
What were your trans temps normal driving before the cooler? You only mention 240° temps in autox. IMO 203° for normal driving is to high, mine only reaches 150°. But at the track it goes up to 200°. Remember to add 50° for output temp to get an idea of the real temp at the converter. I think you'll still see 240° in autox putting you around 290° which is well in the danger zone.
But seems they ran around 190-200 deg.F in summer time
Is it possible that the coolant in the radiator is actually heating the trans fluid? my coolant temps usaully 185-190 in normal driving.
Perhaps skip the cooler inside the radiator and just use an external cooler???
I'm not sure where the temp. sensor is located in a 4L60E trans. so I'm not sure why you want to add 50 deg. for output temp.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 5,141
Likes: 7
From: Metairie Louisiana
I don't drive the car "normally" or at least very little.
But seems they ran around 190-200 deg.F in summer time
Is it possible that the coolant in the radiator is actually heating the trans fluid?
Perhaps skip the cooler inside the radiator and just use an external cooler???
But seems they ran around 190-200 deg.F in summer time
Is it possible that the coolant in the radiator is actually heating the trans fluid?
Perhaps skip the cooler inside the radiator and just use an external cooler???
Thats_why_I_bypassed_the_radiator.
Sorry_space_key_just_broke.__
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 13,953
Likes: 706
From: WI
The temp sensor cannot be placed at the hottest part, the converter. I also bypassed the radiator but that's terrible for street use. I drive to the track and if I get stuck in traffic the temp sky rockets. It really needs a fan. BTW bypassing the radiator only lowered the overall trans temp a few degrees. It's good for track use this way though but I run a road course with lots of high speed airflow.