C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

Trans cooler ??

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Old Jun 15, 2016 | 08:53 PM
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Default Trans cooler ??

Anyone using there A/C radiator (forgot the actual name) for a trans cooler? My A/C was deleted after it the pump started leaking and I assume any residual coolant has long evaporated. Would there be any cause of concern i.e. chemical reaction that would degrade my ATF ? I have a small cooler in front of both radiators but thought bigger is better ? It's use it or remove it to shed some weight.
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Old Jun 15, 2016 | 09:55 PM
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Originally Posted by C4vettrn
Anyone using there A/C radiator (forgot the actual name) for a trans cooler? My A/C was deleted after it the pump started leaking and I assume any residual coolant has long evaporated. Would there be any cause of concern i.e. chemical reaction that would degrade my ATF ? I have a small cooler in front of both radiators but thought bigger is better ? It's use it or remove it to shed some weight.
Might want to look again.
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Old Jun 15, 2016 | 10:39 PM
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There is oil in there too!
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Old Jun 15, 2016 | 11:08 PM
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Right now your fluid is going through the radiator and there is an external cooler, IIRC. Why do you think you are having a trans heating issue that you need a larger cooler?
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Old Jun 16, 2016 | 09:40 AM
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Originally Posted by C4vettrn
Anyone using there A/C radiator (forgot the actual name) for a trans cooler? My A/C was deleted after it the pump started leaking and I assume any residual coolant has long evaporated. Would there be any cause of concern i.e. chemical reaction that would degrade my ATF ? I have a small cooler in front of both radiators but thought bigger is better ? It's use it or remove it to shed some weight.
I have heard of guys doing this before, if you are going to add an external cooler and you are not using the air, go ahead and use the A/C condenser.

Last edited by bjankuski; Jun 16, 2016 at 09:40 AM.
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Old Jun 16, 2016 | 03:45 PM
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Originally Posted by aklim
Right now your fluid is going through the radiator and there is an external cooler, IIRC. Why do you think you are having a trans heating issue that you need a larger cooler?
Didn't say I was having a cooling issue just want to keep it as cool as possible (heat kills trans) and I have a 3,000 stall. Vette is to low to use a deeper pan and thought it would be a good way to add fluid capacity and temp reduction for free as long as there is no cons to doing so. I can flush with solvent and blow out with air to get it clean.
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Old Jun 16, 2016 | 04:42 PM
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I'm going to say "DO NOT" - If you've substantial $$$'s invested in the trans and converter I'd say you just add a proper stacked external cooler. Might it be a good idea to remove the condenser and use the space for a proper cooler? I'd think so BUT NOT the condenser being used as a substitute for the transmission cooling device.

I believe there's way more arguments "against" it's use than "for" it's use as such!
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Old Jun 16, 2016 | 05:25 PM
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Originally Posted by C4vettrn
Didn't say I was having a cooling issue just want to keep it as cool as possible (heat kills trans) and I have a 3,000 stall. Vette is to low to use a deeper pan and thought it would be a good way to add fluid capacity and temp reduction for free as long as there is no cons to doing so. I can flush with solvent and blow out with air to get it clean.
Anyone using there A/C radiator (forgot the actual name) for a trans cooler? My A/C was deleted after it the pump started leaking and I assume any residual coolant has long evaporated. Would there be any cause of concern i.e. chemical reaction that would degrade my ATF ? I have a small cooler in front of both radiators but thought bigger is better ? It's use it or remove it to shed some weight.
Nope you didn't. What sort of cooling issue? As to running a deeper pan, I don't know about the Vette but in my 01 Ford Excursion, there are many people running a deep pan just for that reason. Additional fluid supposedly helps it. Problem is, we had an engineer that was working with ford on the design team. They tried a deeper pan and they had sensors all over but it didn't work any better than the stock pan.

Larger capacity takes longer to get up to temp but keeps the heat longer. That all said, if it is at temp and you are in stop and go traffic, it takes longer to overheat.

So, how did you establish you had a cooling issue? Did you put a thermometer somewhere in the pan area and found your fluid was going over a certain spec?
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Old Jun 17, 2016 | 08:11 AM
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After much debate and reading I decided to just remove it. Thought this would be a quick 3 beer job NOT. Forgot what a pain the whole housing was to get in/out. Opened up a lot of space that's for sure. Thanks for the replies.
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