Hi Jeff,
No, I`m not by-passing the "in trans" radiator.
Per the tuner`s and B&M`s instructions, I`m running the fluid through the radiator first, the through the cooler and back to the tranny.

Cheers, Rick

 

R.P.-
I think i'm confused. I re-read your message and it still seems to me your bypassing the rad. So if I read it right, you would do the following.

Cut lower line, splice to "IN" on cooler, then the "OUT" on cooler goes to the tranny, correct?

If you do the above then it is a bypass.

If you do this:

Cut lower line, splice to "IN" on cooler, hook the "OUT" on the cooler to the other side of the splice which should lead to the rad, not the trans, no bypass.

Does this make any sense? This all assumes the lower line is the return, I believe it to be the feed, based on the diagram posted earlier. Regards, Jeff

 

What tranny temp differences are you seeing with fan programming without a cooler? Say you run a 160 stat with appropiate fan settings set in the PCM?

 

Greetings All,

Due to the varied replies/opinions to my original post above, last night I decided to disconnect the the bottom tranny line from the radiator and see for myself which is the return line back to the tranny....
"The return line is the top line at the radiator!"

Checking the oil flow direction as called out in the B&M instructions, "start the engine and let it run at idle, if the oil flows from the radiator during the test, then it`s the return line," the opposite happened," ie: the tranny fluid flowed from the disconnected line forward towards the radiator, which means that the "top line" is indeed the "return line."

Further, per the B&M instructions, "we recommend mounting your cooler in series with your present OEM cooler in the radiator tank. This method utilizes the existing cooling system for maximum efficiency and complies with all new car warranties." ie: Run the fluid through the radiator first, then through the cooler and then back to the tranny.

Last but not least, the potential "miss-match" of threaded OEM vs slip-on/hose clamp style hardware supplied with the B&M install kit is a non- issue. The threaded collar on the OEM tranny line slides back to expose a flared tip which allows the supplied B&M hose to slide on and secure with a hose clamp, which is the same manner the hoses connect to the cooler.
I`m kind of glad the return line is the top one, as I`ll be better able to monitor for potential leaks by just popping the hood, as opposed to crawling under the car!

Cheers, Rick (R.P.)

P.S. If someone wants to post a copy of the B&M instructions I`d be more than happy to fax them to you.

 

Rick-
Good post. Thanx for taking the time to verify information posted. I truly think either line will work, but one way will keep the fluid at coolant temp which is probably what GM intended. I still wonder if it's possible to run the trans to cool. Anyway, thanx for the good work. Jeff

 

Great info thanks!!

Hope you topped up the tranny afterwards

 

Chrispy, I`m already running an 160 stat, PCM dyno tuned w/LS1 edit:
adj fan temp settings, shift points, line pressure, etc.
Here in (toasty) So Cal, specifically during "spirited canyon driving," I`ve seen temps hit 220+ as well as 190-200+ in stop and go traffic.
Fortunately my car is a weekend toy with only 26k mi on her, so hopefully there is little if any ill effects from the temps.

Currently I`m running 333.53 rwhp and 342.43 rwtq with future mods in the works, so I thought I`d better do everything I can to make the tranny last. I`ll post some temps after the trans cooler install, probably after the next SCMR in a couple of weeks.

Cheers, Rick (R.P.)

p.s. I just had a complete tranny fluid flush done at the Chev dealer in preparation for my tranny cooler install.

 

I'm confused. When you say that the "opposite happened" do you mean the fluid exited the upper line into the radiator? Or is the fluid moving thru the RAD to the upper line?

I agree that the top line is the return to the trans but you're not clear in your write up. When you disconnected the upper line did fluid exit the RAD or the line?

 

Bigears, let me try and clarify for you.
I think if you re-read my post, you will see that I disconnected the "lower connection" at the radiator. I didn`t touch the upper connection at all.
Upon disconnecting the lower line and starting the car, the fluid flowed/sourced from the tranny line forward towards the radiator,which is the opposite direction the fluid would be traveling if it were the return line.

Cheers, Rick (R.P.)

 

Hmmm, imagine that.
(I just couldn't stop myself)

 

Definitely top your transmission off when you finish your install.

 

Sweet!