Installing a cooler. I am installing it behind the passenger side intake in the facia. Some people run it in after it runs through the radiator and others have it as a stand alone.
1. Would like to know what is best,

and

2. does the top or bottom line now connected to the radiator return to the tranny.

3. Should I fill it with fluid and then install it?

and 4. Is there a lot of fluid loss when you undo the existing lines?

Thanks in advance.

Jim

 

You shouldn't lose too much fluid just unhooking the lines, and no need to pre-fill the cooler. Not sure about which line is which..

I think how you install the cooler depends on the weather you're going to be in. There IS a such thing as *too cold* for a transmission, so if you're going to be driving it in any kind of winterish conditions, definitely have it run through the radiator as well.

If its a nice-weather only car, you should be fine installing it as a standalone.

On my truck, I definitely had it run through the radiator (I think I had it to the aftermarket cooler first and then through the radiator as this doesn't let the fluid get too cold in winter..). Not sure what I'll do on the vette yet.. probably the same way since I'm sure I'll be driving the car up until snow falls.

 

Hard to say what is the best, others experience may be different than your because of geo location, the actual cooler used, and how you drive. I did not see much of a difference switching between cooler first and rad first, stand alone was maybe a little worse but would definitely work well around town. My experience was trying to cool the trans on a road race track, and I never got it to cool enough. Around town, never had an issue. Are you racing or just around town?

I’d spend more time on selecting a cooler, get a plate style cooler they are designed for oil/trans cooling. A tube and fin will not cool the trans fluid nearly enough. Also, be sure to get the appropriate size. If you race you may need a 11x11 sized cooer, if you don’t then one half that size is fine.

I'm pretty sure the top is the return line. I think the philosophy is to fill from the bottom so air pockets are less likely. Do the same on your secondary cooler.

The routing of the lines is another area of PIA. A hint is you can go under the radiator.

If you are like me, yes you will loose a lot of fluid. Or at least it will look that way, and pre-filling would only add to the mess. But, then again I can make a mess with just about anything. It is not a huge amount…