Install Diff and/or Tranny Cooler?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,157
Likes: 5
From: Eastern PA
Install Diff and/or Tranny Cooler?
My C5 w/ stroked LS3 sees mostly road miles, but stretches it's legs once in a while (2 - 5 wknds a year) at HPDEs.
Currently, I have to replace my 3.90 differential.
I don't relish the extra cost, but are there any knowledgeable people out there that recommend I also install a diff and/or tranny cooler? How about just one or the other?
If so, why?
How about adding a tranny brace...worth it?
Thanks!
Currently, I have to replace my 3.90 differential.
I don't relish the extra cost, but are there any knowledgeable people out there that recommend I also install a diff and/or tranny cooler? How about just one or the other?
If so, why?
How about adding a tranny brace...worth it?
Thanks!
Last edited by kedvesh; Sep 29, 2010 at 10:19 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,458
Likes: 105
From: Northville Michigan
If you are going to run HPDE track days on any regular basis, your car would benefit from cooling both the transmission and differential.
I have installed the L.G. Motorsports combination transmission - differential cooler:
These coolers are driven by your pinion gear, they make absolutely no noise, and they work very well.
-
I have installed the L.G. Motorsports combination transmission - differential cooler:
These coolers are driven by your pinion gear, they make absolutely no noise, and they work very well.
-
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,157
Likes: 5
From: Eastern PA
The accusump has been a bit of a pain WRT dialing in the proper residual oil pressure in the bladder (i.e., no indicated system/engine oil pressure). As a result, I had a few instances of oil being blown out of the relief valve (and all over the inside of my fender) when operating pressures got too high in the sump. (It's either that or I had a bum relief valve.) What I bought to protect my then new engine, only caused me more headache.
All seems well now though. (Famous last words...I'll reserve final judgement when I go over a year with no oil issues. Ugh.)
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,157
Likes: 5
From: Eastern PA
If you are going to run HPDE track days on any regular basis, your car would benefit from cooling both the transmission and differential.
I have installed the L.G. Motorsports combination transmission - differential cooler...
These coolers are driven by your pinion gear, they make absolutely no noise, and they work very well.
I have installed the L.G. Motorsports combination transmission - differential cooler...
These coolers are driven by your pinion gear, they make absolutely no noise, and they work very well.
Any further comments (from you or whomever) about the merits of the above referenced model from LGM (http://www.lgmotorsports.com/catalog...oducts_id=1859) versus...
- A DRM version (http://dougrippie.com/?p=845)
- Going with only a GM T1 tranny cooler (http://www.gmpartshouse.com/c5partslist.html)
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
Thanks for the input! Fortunately, I already have all those.
The accusump has been a bit of a pain WRT dialing in the proper residual oil pressure in the bladder (i.e., no indicated system/engine oil pressure). As a result, I had a few instances of oil being blown out of the relief valve (and all over the inside of my fender) when operating pressures got too high in the sump. (It's either that or I had a bum relief valve.) What I bought to protect my then new engine, only caused me more headache.
All seems well now though. (Famous last words...I'll reserve final judgement when I go over a year with no oil issues. Ugh.)
The accusump has been a bit of a pain WRT dialing in the proper residual oil pressure in the bladder (i.e., no indicated system/engine oil pressure). As a result, I had a few instances of oil being blown out of the relief valve (and all over the inside of my fender) when operating pressures got too high in the sump. (It's either that or I had a bum relief valve.) What I bought to protect my then new engine, only caused me more headache.
All seems well now though. (Famous last words...I'll reserve final judgement when I go over a year with no oil issues. Ugh.)
You have a bum relief valve.
then yes a trans and diff cooler are in order.
I run the GM T1 cooler set up. with manual switch. that way dont need to switch them on unless there is extream heat
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 954
Likes: 0
From: Farmington Hills MI
I use the DRM coolers for the diff and trans and like AU N EGL I am able to turn the pumps off when they are not needed. It is also useful to leave the pumps running for a couple of minutes after the session when you hit the pits.
I would certainly install a trans cooler as many C5's have issues with high trans temps when tracked, I never had this problem but 2 friends did and would sometimes have to shorten sessions to cool down.
Good Luck.
I would certainly install a trans cooler as many C5's have issues with high trans temps when tracked, I never had this problem but 2 friends did and would sometimes have to shorten sessions to cool down.
Good Luck.
Former Vendor
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 9,615
Likes: 13
From: Burlington NC
I'm pretty bias here on the best setup....
If I had to do only one cooler it would be the diff cooler. The diffs get very hot because of the limited slip diff. Plus it is converting the power 90 degrees in direction.
But on the other hand transmissions cost about 3 times what a diff cost. So there is that.
We had found installing both is the best way to go
The pumps are a tick loud but with the helmet on, RPMs up, you can't hear them at all. It's like they aren't even there.
I also leave my pumps run for a couple minutes after I get into the pits. Speakng of, it's late and I'm filling my trans and diff on Sunday.
So if you have any questions please let me know
Randy
If I had to do only one cooler it would be the diff cooler. The diffs get very hot because of the limited slip diff. Plus it is converting the power 90 degrees in direction.
But on the other hand transmissions cost about 3 times what a diff cost. So there is that.
We had found installing both is the best way to go
The pumps are a tick loud but with the helmet on, RPMs up, you can't hear them at all. It's like they aren't even there.
I also leave my pumps run for a couple minutes after I get into the pits. Speakng of, it's late and I'm filling my trans and diff on Sunday.
So if you have any questions please let me know
Randy
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,157
Likes: 5
From: Eastern PA
Randy/Everyone,
Thanks for the comments!
I've decided to have my engine builder @ http://www.cartek.net/ install DRM's tranny & diff cooling pkg (http://dougrippie.com/?p=845).
As I indicated in my OP, I don't relish the extra cost. (My wallet's not been happy of late...also recently needed to replace the starter.) But, I guess I'll look at it as insurance for some major driveline components.
Another way of saying it could be if I want to play (and regularly run HPDEs like a scalded beast), I have to pay.
Be safe!
Thanks for the comments!
I've decided to have my engine builder @ http://www.cartek.net/ install DRM's tranny & diff cooling pkg (http://dougrippie.com/?p=845).
As I indicated in my OP, I don't relish the extra cost. (My wallet's not been happy of late...also recently needed to replace the starter.) But, I guess I'll look at it as insurance for some major driveline components.
Another way of saying it could be if I want to play (and regularly run HPDEs like a scalded beast), I have to pay.
Be safe!
Last edited by kedvesh; Oct 3, 2010 at 05:34 PM. Reason: added text
Former Vendor
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 9,615
Likes: 13
From: Burlington NC
They work damn well and it's really depends on the driver and track.
Randy
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 954
Likes: 0
From: Farmington Hills MI
Thanks, very helpful.
The reason I ask is I'm installing a 300 deg temp diff gauge in my '02 Z and wanted to know if it read high enough !
My old F Body would peg the 300 gauge everytime out on track.
FYI to OP. DRM's coolers are an easy install if you can operate basic hand tools. Makes for a nice winter project.
The reason I ask is I'm installing a 300 deg temp diff gauge in my '02 Z and wanted to know if it read high enough !
My old F Body would peg the 300 gauge everytime out on track.
FYI to OP. DRM's coolers are an easy install if you can operate basic hand tools. Makes for a nice winter project.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,298
Likes: 12
From: Salt Lake City UT
Diff/Tranny coolers
Ran two 45 min events recently. One at 95 deg and the other at 90 deg at 4500 ft elevation with Randy's cooler setups on diff and tranny.
Max temp's were 275 deg diff and 230 deg tranny.
Would guess it would have been at least plus 30-40 deg without coolers.
Max temp's were 275 deg diff and 230 deg tranny.
Would guess it would have been at least plus 30-40 deg without coolers.
Former Vendor
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 9,615
Likes: 13
From: Burlington NC
Randy
