P/S cooler in radiator
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 1,787
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From: In the woods
2024 C5of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
P/S cooler in radiator
I plan on doing HPDE after getting hooked the first time. I also saw some high temps that need addressing. I have the trans (auto) and engine oil cooler figured out but I would like to add some cooling to the P/S system as well. I am not using the OEM trans cooler rad fittings and thought that instead I would use the cooler for the P/S fluid instead of trans fluid. My Jeep has the factory P/S cooler integrated into the A/C condenser, that is where the idea came from. Any reason why this would not work?
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,470
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From: Dyer, IN
I plan on doing HPDE after getting hooked the first time. I also saw some high temps that need addressing. I have the trans (auto) and engine oil cooler figured out but I would like to add some cooling to the P/S system as well. I am not using the OEM trans cooler rad fittings and thought that instead I would use the cooler for the P/S fluid instead of trans fluid. My Jeep has the factory P/S cooler integrated into the A/C condenser, that is where the idea came from. Any reason why this would not work?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 1,787
Likes: 2,041
From: In the woods
2024 C5of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
That I do not know. I have no experience in the racing world with P/S heat, I do have quite a bit off road. My old truck had a winch powered by the P/S pump, a heavy winching session would get the fluid above 260 in not a lot of time. I like checking out what others have done and have come across enough YT video's of people who have tracked their car only to have steering rack issues due to heat. I do plan on an upgraded radiator, DeWitts most likely with the EOC option and use that for the P/S.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,470
Likes: 1,170
From: Dyer, IN
That I do not know. I have no experience in the racing world with P/S heat, I do have quite a bit off road. My old truck had a winch powered by the P/S pump, a heavy winching session would get the fluid above 260 in not a lot of time. I like checking out what others have done and have come across enough YT video's of people who have tracked their car only to have steering rack issues due to heat. I do plan on an upgraded radiator, DeWitts most likely with the EOC option and use that for the P/S.
Probably good to post here as well:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...roadracing-23/
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 144
Likes: 132
From: Chicagoland
I plan on doing HPDE after getting hooked the first time. I also saw some high temps that need addressing. I have the trans (auto) and engine oil cooler figured out but I would like to add some cooling to the P/S system as well. I am not using the OEM trans cooler rad fittings and thought that instead I would use the cooler for the P/S fluid instead of trans fluid. My Jeep has the factory P/S cooler integrated into the A/C condenser, that is where the idea came from. Any reason why this would not work?
Last edited by Rwdirtbke; Aug 28, 2024 at 11:49 PM.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 670
Likes: 358
From: Windsor, CT
While having no experience with blowing up P/S pumps or steering racks myself, I did do a lot of research on this topic before deciding to cool my PS fluid.
Based on the research I've done, it seems as though if you have the factory Z51/Z06 PS cooling, you'll be OK for a while. If you don't have one at all, you will be stressing the pump and rack, especially if you're going to be running some wider tires up front (285+). Both are no fun to replace, and not at all cheap for an "upgraded" remanufactured unit.
My vote is if you already have the radiator, and aren't using the transmission cooler, then it's a no brainer to get some AN adapters and plumb it up. The PS fluid can get to 280+ degrees.
If you're looking for more advice that pertains to PS cooling on the track, look up videos on You Tube from Low Boost Films. There's a series of short videos that explains his PS woes due to heat.
Based on the research I've done, it seems as though if you have the factory Z51/Z06 PS cooling, you'll be OK for a while. If you don't have one at all, you will be stressing the pump and rack, especially if you're going to be running some wider tires up front (285+). Both are no fun to replace, and not at all cheap for an "upgraded" remanufactured unit.
My vote is if you already have the radiator, and aren't using the transmission cooler, then it's a no brainer to get some AN adapters and plumb it up. The PS fluid can get to 280+ degrees.
If you're looking for more advice that pertains to PS cooling on the track, look up videos on You Tube from Low Boost Films. There's a series of short videos that explains his PS woes due to heat.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2022
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From: In the woods
2024 C5of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
After some research I have found that several companies and individuals who know much more about this than I really don't like seeing PS fluid above 180 deg with 225 being a very high temp. Granted this info comes from the hardcore 4x4 world of hydro steer where the OEM power steering box is plumbed for a hydraulic ram to assist with turning the wheels, these guys run large P/S coolers. My Jeep has a large factory P/S cooler as the pump also powers the hydraulic radiator cooling fan. This info has me deciding to go ahead and run an auxiliary cooler for the P/S vs using the radiator cooler. I appreciate all the feedback and experience, thank you.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,862
Likes: 594
From: Prescott, Arizona
My 2001 A4 has 121,000 miles, 28 track days on three road course race tracks, 10,000 + WOT upshifts from 2nd to 3rd, 1800 miles on track. The car is a Z51 and I have not worried about power steering fluid temperature because it has a separate PS cooler behind the radiator - but I use full synthetic Rd Line PS fluid which is resistant to oxidation and also syringe the PS fluid from the reservoir and add new at every engine oil change..
Meanwhile though, to keep the A4 and engine cool on track, my car has a DeWitts radiator with both engine oil and transmission fluid coolers, Improved Racing oil cooler lines and 180 thermostat, 30,000 pound Gross Vehicle Weight Hayden transmission cooler in front of the condenser and a B&M finned aluminum transmission pan with two extra quart capacity. I have used Red Line D4 full synthetic to 15 years and have changed fluid and filter five times over the period.
Meanwhile though, to keep the A4 and engine cool on track, my car has a DeWitts radiator with both engine oil and transmission fluid coolers, Improved Racing oil cooler lines and 180 thermostat, 30,000 pound Gross Vehicle Weight Hayden transmission cooler in front of the condenser and a B&M finned aluminum transmission pan with two extra quart capacity. I have used Red Line D4 full synthetic to 15 years and have changed fluid and filter five times over the period.
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Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2012
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From: Da U.P.
I knew a guy who was having power steering overheating issues on track. He wasn't using the oil cooler in his Afco radiator, so plumbed his power steering through there and had a good weekend. Note that there will be a difference between using a transmission cooler or an oil cooler if integrated into the radiator.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,151
Likes: 20
Something you may want to consider is using an air to air cooler and mounting it in the radiator shroud. I have a '99 FRC and specifically removed the factory cooler because it crowded the area between the steering rack/crank dampener and the radiator. I built a completely custom cooling system and needed the extra space. I used a "frame rail" transmission cooler similar to this one:
Perma-Cool 1000 Perma-Cool Frame Rail Transmission Coolers | Summit Racing
In my case I used one with -6 AN fittings because I converted all my power steering lines over to AN, but barb fittings with hose clamps are ok if one wants to go that route. The cooler is mounted on the low pressure side. Just about any air to air cooler can be used. Often referred to as transmission/rear end/power steering coolers.
Perma-Cool 1000 Perma-Cool Frame Rail Transmission Coolers | Summit Racing
In my case I used one with -6 AN fittings because I converted all my power steering lines over to AN, but barb fittings with hose clamps are ok if one wants to go that route. The cooler is mounted on the low pressure side. Just about any air to air cooler can be used. Often referred to as transmission/rear end/power steering coolers.