On my 01 Z06 I had the Rippie coolers installed for the trans and diff for road racing. Is there anything better? I need to order some ASAP for my 02 and was wondering what the latest and greatest is. The Rippie coolers mounted in the rear ducts. If there is something better where do they mount?

Dave

 

Dave,
the rippie coolers mounted in the rear ducts seems the way to go now. else old style with additional fan per cooler.

see ya
David

 

Dave, here is what I did for trans/diff cooling to avoid loosing my rear brake cooling ducts. I used the GM Performance trans cooling kit that normaly has the heat exchanger located in front of the radiator and the pump inside the right rear wheel well liner. I don't have room to put the heat exchanger in front of the radiator because that is where my MTI cold air intake is located. I was out at Spring Mountain Raceway for the OTC and noticed that Rupert Bragg-Smith's car had driving lights mounted in the cavity behind front liscence plate. I mounted the heat exchanger there instead. It is a relatively simple proceedure if you use the GM exchanger because the size fits well into the hole created by removing the liscence plate mounting pannel. I installed the rest of the kit as per the GM instructions with a few additional temp. sensors and a manual overide switch for the pump. The system works very well and my trans temp never gets over 200 F even pushing the car hard in our 100 + degree Texas heat. I am going to go ahead and add a diff. cooler by changing the single circuit exchanger to a dual circuit unit because I get such high air flow in this location I believe that it will handle the additional heat load of the differential as well. I installed a piece of stainless steel woven wire that matches the front brake duct screens in front of the heat exchanger so the whole installation looks clean and factory like. The whole thing turned out pretty good after running all that plumbing, something you don't have to do with the Rippie system. This installation would probably not be allowed in T1 class road racing. Let me know if you need some additional information. One other thing; which ever system you use you might want to shock mount the pump to help prevent it's vibration from making you think there is an orbital sander bolted to your car's body. Good luck.

 

Dave -

The coolers you added to your '01 work GREAT, don't worry about improving them! I appreciate the '01 you sold me, and all the modifications you did, first class, with style!

I did two small extra modifications that you might want to consider since you are going through the process again.

A) Have two different switches for the transmission and differential coolers instead of one. The heavier weight of the differential oil does not make it conducive to pump life, unless it is warmed up first. Normally, turn on the transmission cooler before you go out on track, and the differential cooler after about 4 or 5 laps (on a 2 mile road course). :chevy

B) Add an engine oil cooler also. Without it, temperatures can easily reach 275-285 degrees F. I'm trying one out this weekend made by Breathless Performance, along with their remote oil filter.

It's very hard to stop improving your car, isn't it!

What a stable of cars and trucks you have!

We're trying to work out a deal for the VIP suite at the Daytona 24 hour race in February, I'll keep you informed.

Say "hi" to Rick for me!

Steve Nix, President
Performance Drivers' Club, Inc. http://www.performance-drivers-club.com

"Hope to pass you soon"
"Drive your car as it was meant to be driven - Passing your buddies on the track!"

 

Thanks for the info guys.

Steve,

Glad you are enjoying the car. Have not done much t the 02 yet other than lower it and have a custom roll bar put in. Will do the coolers this week and then go from there.

Dave