Transmission cooler install
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 42
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Transmission cooler install
I am going to buy a B&M cooler with fan and was planning on installing under the headlight on passenger side in the air duct for the front break. I am not sure how I am going to mount it. I was wonder if anyone has done this install and if they have pics of it. I am also wondering where to wire the fan into. Thanks in advance. I have a 1998 corvette A4.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 12,331
Likes: 139
Actually here is a good idea. Do 2 one behind the "Corvette" front plate on the bumper and the one on the condenser. That will keep it very nice and cool and you won't be taking any air from your breaks.
Do a mesh cover and no one will be the wiser.
Do a mesh cover and no one will be the wiser.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 12,331
Likes: 139
What you are doing with the two is you get the front air, fresh air, running through the one in the bumper, starts the cooling process, then the already cooled tranny liquid goes to the second cooler where its cooled even more by one of two ways. Air coming up into the engine bay, or if you have the air conditioning on, the fans are forcing air to flow through the cooler. Either way its a very good set up.
good luck.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,163
Likes: 6
From: Oceanside California
I have a thread up about this right now too. I haven't heard of doing it that way, but it sounds legit. I have a B&M fanned cooler in my garage right now and am trying to figure out the best way to mount it and hook it up. It is the fan recommended by RPM transmission, so I don't think I will go wrong with it, but this would be interesting to hear more about. And I might learn some thing about my install as this goes along.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,163
Likes: 6
From: Oceanside California
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AKA "The CLOWN"
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 6,261
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From: Chicago South Suburbs
There is no need for a trans fan unless you visit the track often.
Just get a standard trans cooler and mount it in between the radiator and condenser near the bottom. When you are driving the front air dam will provide more than enough cooling to the cooler.
I have a single cooler mounted as stated above with a 3200 stall and my temps never go above 200 on the hottest days, normal is 180!
Also do not use the factory trans cooler in the radiator as the trans temps will be almost the same as your coolant temps. Keep them separated as to keep the trans fluid as cool as possible
Just get a standard trans cooler and mount it in between the radiator and condenser near the bottom. When you are driving the front air dam will provide more than enough cooling to the cooler.
I have a single cooler mounted as stated above with a 3200 stall and my temps never go above 200 on the hottest days, normal is 180!
Also do not use the factory trans cooler in the radiator as the trans temps will be almost the same as your coolant temps. Keep them separated as to keep the trans fluid as cool as possible
AKA "The CLOWN"
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 6,261
Likes: 13
From: Chicago South Suburbs
2 coolers will do more harm than good!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,163
Likes: 6
From: Oceanside California
I used to always think running only the aftermarket cooler was fine. I hooked it up like that in my old trans. But the guy at the shop I go to made a very simple yet effective explanation of how the trans cooler works.
Basically he did a demonstration of how much faster a red hot piece of metal cools down in boiling hot water than from a high powered fan. He made the point that you should never take away a liquid cooling system for an air cooled one. Both in conjunction will work best as the aftermarket cooler will give an extra bit of cooling.
Anyway, I cant explain it as well. But it was his 30+ years of experience as a transmission tech and performance enthusiast that made me think, wow, that is very true. No matter how hot the radiator cooler gets, its still passing the heat off through a liquid system. Much more effective than air alone.
That being said. I think people can have it work either way. After all people are successful at both obviously. But I will be hooking up both coolers in series as was recommended by an expert.
Basically he did a demonstration of how much faster a red hot piece of metal cools down in boiling hot water than from a high powered fan. He made the point that you should never take away a liquid cooling system for an air cooled one. Both in conjunction will work best as the aftermarket cooler will give an extra bit of cooling.
Anyway, I cant explain it as well. But it was his 30+ years of experience as a transmission tech and performance enthusiast that made me think, wow, that is very true. No matter how hot the radiator cooler gets, its still passing the heat off through a liquid system. Much more effective than air alone.
That being said. I think people can have it work either way. After all people are successful at both obviously. But I will be hooking up both coolers in series as was recommended by an expert.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,720
Likes: 38
From: Colorado
heat is heat, this isnt rocket science 
if trans temps are above coolant temps (usually are) then it stands to reason there's room to be made by running it through the radiator THEN the stand alone. im going to try that first, and failing that, ill run it stand alone with a fan.
if trans temps are above coolant temps (usually are) then it stands to reason there's room to be made by running it through the radiator THEN the stand alone. im going to try that first, and failing that, ill run it stand alone with a fan.
AKA "The CLOWN"
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 6,261
Likes: 13
From: Chicago South Suburbs
I used to always think running only the aftermarket cooler was fine. I hooked it up like that in my old trans. But the guy at the shop I go to made a very simple yet effective explanation of how the trans cooler works.
Basically he did a demonstration of how much faster a red hot piece of metal cools down in boiling hot water than from a high powered fan. He made the point that you should never take away a liquid cooling system for an air cooled one. Both in conjunction will work best as the aftermarket cooler will give an extra bit of cooling.
Anyway, I cant explain it as well. But it was his 30+ years of experience as a transmission tech and performance enthusiast that made me think, wow, that is very true. No matter how hot the radiator cooler gets, its still passing the heat off through a liquid system. Much more effective than air alone.
That being said. I think people can have it work either way. After all people are successful at both obviously. But I will be hooking up both coolers in series as was recommended by an expert.
Basically he did a demonstration of how much faster a red hot piece of metal cools down in boiling hot water than from a high powered fan. He made the point that you should never take away a liquid cooling system for an air cooled one. Both in conjunction will work best as the aftermarket cooler will give an extra bit of cooling.
Anyway, I cant explain it as well. But it was his 30+ years of experience as a transmission tech and performance enthusiast that made me think, wow, that is very true. No matter how hot the radiator cooler gets, its still passing the heat off through a liquid system. Much more effective than air alone.
That being said. I think people can have it work either way. After all people are successful at both obviously. But I will be hooking up both coolers in series as was recommended by an expert.
If you separate these two, you will see much cooler trans temps! I have done it both ways and the separate trans cooler dropped to 180-190 while the coolant was 210-220! To each his own I guess, just sharing what works the best for me!
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,720
Likes: 38
From: Colorado
having read ~12 or so threads on this on these forums, the consensus WAS that the stand alone was cooler... i think the radiator is heating it up compared to what it would otherwise be for most of us.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,163
Likes: 6
From: Oceanside California
Both ways seem good. I really cant say whats the best. I think I will try it through both and see how it works before going to just the aftermarket. If its too hot I will go to the aftermarket only.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 172
Likes: 0
From: Louisiana
This was one of the first things I did when I got my C5, my temps before were usually 190+ sometimes 220 just normal driving. I got the B&M 70266 without a fan and bypassed the radiator completely, then mounted in front of the condenser. I dropped my temps drastically, on cold days im about 156* and in traffic during summer 180* with a 3600 stall.
To make the lines going from the 1/2" pipe to braided line I first cut the hard line and got some 1/2" to -6 fittings. To do this you have to flare the ends and this was a bitch because theres very little space and not much line to flare because of all the bends but it is do-able. After that point on is a cake walk and you'll need some -6 90* hose ends and -6 straight hose ends. I dont like cheap rubber line or having to replace something more than once so I did it right the first time. I can post some pics up later tonight as Im about to go fix the exhaust on the vette now.
To make the lines going from the 1/2" pipe to braided line I first cut the hard line and got some 1/2" to -6 fittings. To do this you have to flare the ends and this was a bitch because theres very little space and not much line to flare because of all the bends but it is do-able. After that point on is a cake walk and you'll need some -6 90* hose ends and -6 straight hose ends. I dont like cheap rubber line or having to replace something more than once so I did it right the first time. I can post some pics up later tonight as Im about to go fix the exhaust on the vette now.
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 45,000
Likes: 585
I cannot find it now, and I will keep looking, but I know I read that there is a minimum temperature for an automatic transmission as well as a maximum. According to what I read, keeping it too cool will also cause damage. Not sure how until I find the reference again.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,163
Likes: 6
From: Oceanside California
Yes 156 is too cool. A transmission should be around 170 to 180 degrees as an optimal temp. I will hook up my fanned cooler to try and maintain 175ish. But less than 170 is supposedly not good for the wear of components inside.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 172
Likes: 0
From: Louisiana
I should say that is very rare that it sees that low for two reasons. One being that I hardly drive the car during cold months, and two I drive the car HARD most of the time so the trans is warmer than 150's most of the time. Ive had this setup for over two years now and havent had any problems with the trans and its completely stock *knock on wood*
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,163
Likes: 6
From: Oceanside California
For anyone reading this, I just got off the phone with B&M and they said you can run it through the radiator or the cooler itself. It really wont make a difference. If it goes through the radiator, then the cooler, its still going to get as cool as the cooler on its own. The radiator way is better in cold climates where it can help the transmission heat up and regulate temps easier.