Auto tranny cooling
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,212
Likes: 0
From: OH
Auto tranny cooling
Hoping some people have ideas for my problem.
I already have a transmission cooler, a Derale setup plus a 400cfm fan that I just recently installed. On most days I'm hitting way above a 220F almost every day. Last weekend when it was 85 I hit above 240 (after the fan was installeD). prior to that on a drive back from columbus, along with some fast driving I got to 260F when I got home, and it started to leak from the gasket.
I need to get these temps down. I'm running a 3000 stall, so its making plenty of heat. I don't have any more space for a bigger cooler, and really even with the fan what I have doesn't seem to be enough. Because of the way other stuff is setup in my car my cooler was mounted next to the PS cooler and not in the front.
I was thinking of converting my A/C condensor to a giant cooler. I saw the tech tip on it, seems like it should work much better. Does anybody know the exact fitting sizes I would need for both the A/C condensor fittings and those from the tranny. I haven't measured them yet, and want to make sure I get the right stuff. Because the previous tranny people made a mess of my tranny cooling lines I'm thinking about chopping them down some, and putting AN style hoses and fittings with proper adaptors to and from the condensor/cooler to make things clean looking.
I already have a transmission cooler, a Derale setup plus a 400cfm fan that I just recently installed. On most days I'm hitting way above a 220F almost every day. Last weekend when it was 85 I hit above 240 (after the fan was installeD). prior to that on a drive back from columbus, along with some fast driving I got to 260F when I got home, and it started to leak from the gasket.
I need to get these temps down. I'm running a 3000 stall, so its making plenty of heat. I don't have any more space for a bigger cooler, and really even with the fan what I have doesn't seem to be enough. Because of the way other stuff is setup in my car my cooler was mounted next to the PS cooler and not in the front.
I was thinking of converting my A/C condensor to a giant cooler. I saw the tech tip on it, seems like it should work much better. Does anybody know the exact fitting sizes I would need for both the A/C condensor fittings and those from the tranny. I haven't measured them yet, and want to make sure I get the right stuff. Because the previous tranny people made a mess of my tranny cooling lines I'm thinking about chopping them down some, and putting AN style hoses and fittings with proper adaptors to and from the condensor/cooler to make things clean looking.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
It sounds like your converter isn't a lock up type. If it were, it should run cooler at higher speeds due to the increased air flow. A non lock up would run hotter because increased rolling and wind resistance would cause more slippage. I have my cooler mounted in front of the condenser, above the spoiler. It runs the whole width of the opening. The top of the cooler is tilted forward, directly into the air flow. I don't have a trans temp gauge, but I'm sure that between my lock up converter, and the Alaska sized cooler that my temps are way under yours. You might consider a larger cooler, located in the main air stream. It may be time to consider a lock up converter, too. The condenser idea sounds like it may have merit. You might check with knowledgeable transmission and A/C people to be sure there is some inherent problem with the idea that doesn't occur to you or me. I have no clue as to fitting specs, but I'll bet they are totally different animals. A well equipped hose shop ought to be able to make up a hose with different fittings at either end, to solve THAT problem. Good luck, and...
RACE ON!!!
RACE ON!!!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,212
Likes: 0
From: OH
Originally Posted by comp
have seen the small one used... don't know if it was better or not.
400cfm??? that seems small
400cfm??? that seems small
And to answer the question about lockup. YES IT IS A LOCKUP converter!
In fact its locking up too, I've been looking at datamaster, and it locks up just fine. I'm seriously wondering if I have some damage to my transmission that is causing the excess heat.
Earlier this summer I was seeing temps in the 240F range after 3 autocross runs in 90F+ heat. I installed a 3qt oversized AL pan and temps were staying below 230F max, and 190-200F or so on a long highway drive at speed.
Now it just seems to climb, even with the fan setup I am getting 230+ on pretty leasurely drives of any distance (30+ miles) in milder weather.
I was getting a CODE 84 error before, but no longer. Other then that have no real codes. I just can feel when it starts getting that hot, it starts to slip between shifts and at some point you can actually smell tranny fluid.
