Trans Cooler install help
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 11,331
Likes: 18
From: Missouri City Texas
Trans Cooler install help
I've never installed a trans cooler on a car before, so I'm looking for someone to help me out here.
How do one of these things go in?
Does the cooler come with lines/fittings for the install?
Any help is greatly appreciated, because I have no idea with this install. I'll be picking up a cooler this weekend to put it in.
How do one of these things go in?
Does the cooler come with lines/fittings for the install?
Any help is greatly appreciated, because I have no idea with this install. I'll be picking up a cooler this weekend to put it in.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 11,331
Likes: 18
From: Missouri City Texas
Ok, so after some searching I have the basic understanding down.
Radiator out will go to Cooler in and Cooler out will go to Trans In
What size fitting do I need to be able to run a hose from Radiator out?
Radiator out will go to Cooler in and Cooler out will go to Trans In
What size fitting do I need to be able to run a hose from Radiator out?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,214
Likes: 3
From: CA
I was thinking of putting in a trans cooler in my 6spd. I was actually going to bypass the radiator and run just the cooler. IMO this will help the radiator stay cooler by not having hot trans fluid running thru it. Same goes for the engine cooler.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 773
Likes: 107
From: NC
I am considering adding a cooler as well. I have read several posts not to bypass the radiator because it will keep the radiator from warming the transmission fluid in cold weather. I am also considering insulating the exhaust pipes as they pass by the transmission & cooler lines. They are very close.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,286
Likes: 4
Jeff
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 781
Likes: 82
From: MA
My '07 A6 coupe (435+ rwhp) has the trans cooler on the return side to trans.
Trans. to radiator to cooler to trans. is the routing I used. You can do a search for the proper fittings from radiator to cooler, I don't remember what my tuner used, you can also cut return line, flare it and slip hose and clamp it (use A/C clamp it holds better) route to cooler to trans. Around town with some spirited driving trans stayed at 150-160 degrees, 185 coolant and 190+ oil temps (Z06 oil cooler) ambient 87+ temp.
Good luck, Joe
Trans. to radiator to cooler to trans. is the routing I used. You can do a search for the proper fittings from radiator to cooler, I don't remember what my tuner used, you can also cut return line, flare it and slip hose and clamp it (use A/C clamp it holds better) route to cooler to trans. Around town with some spirited driving trans stayed at 150-160 degrees, 185 coolant and 190+ oil temps (Z06 oil cooler) ambient 87+ temp.
Good luck, Joe
Safety Car
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 3,582
Likes: 46
From: va
Ive been thinking of adding a cooler to my A6, but wanted to use a regular one (uhaul, autozone, and advance have them for less than 100 bucks) with the rubber based lines instead of braided stainless that would require the AN fittings and extra hassles. Who has done theirs without the fancy hookups?
Im just worried about a pressure issue and leaking (I have only seen the braided line/AN fitting setup on this site)
Im just worried about a pressure issue and leaking (I have only seen the braided line/AN fitting setup on this site)
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Drifting
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,880
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From: Montgomery Texas
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 24,987
Likes: 2,691
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
Ive been thinking of adding a cooler to my A6, but wanted to use a regular one (uhaul, autozone, and advance have them for less than 100 bucks) with the rubber based lines instead of braided stainless that would require the AN fittings and extra hassles. Who has done theirs without the fancy hookups?
Im just worried about a pressure issue and leaking (I have only seen the braided line/AN fitting setup on this site)
Im just worried about a pressure issue and leaking (I have only seen the braided line/AN fitting setup on this site)
I could find very high pressure hoses locally, but couldn't get anything good for high temps, had to order it from Jegs or B&M.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 11,549
Likes: 27
From: Southampton NJ
Racer
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 263
Likes: 7
From: Brownsville Texas
I've never installed a trans cooler on a car before, so I'm looking for someone to help me out here.
How do one of these things go in?
Does the cooler come with lines/fittings for the install?
Any help is greatly appreciated, because I have no idea with this install. I'll be picking up a cooler this weekend to put it in.
How do one of these things go in?
Does the cooler come with lines/fittings for the install?
Any help is greatly appreciated, because I have no idea with this install. I'll be picking up a cooler this weekend to put it in.
Oh yea, the other PITA is removing the shroud cause you need to drill 2holes and pass your flex lines through.
2 - Summit 220649 6AN to 1/2" NPT threads
2 - Summit 220687 6AN 90 degree end swivel
2 - Summit 220690 6AN hose end straight
1 - Summit 230606 stainless steel braided hose - 6 ft.
1 - Dorman 800-605 fitting (available at your local parts house)
1 pkg 12055 from Pure Choice Motorsports - you will use only 1 fitting if you run your cooler in series
1 - Russell 640830 M16 x 1.5 to -6AN Flare fittting
1 - B&M 80278 mounting kit
2 - 1 1/8 x7/8" grommets - Lowes ( you'll need to make 2 holes in the side of your shroud for your cooler lines). I used my dremel tool for this.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 11,331
Likes: 18
From: Missouri City Texas
dont cut the lines just pull the clips, and the hoses will push over the bevel of the lines, then clamp, bypassing the rad, i have the hayden black analed cooler 12x125 years no leaks, i did cut the lines at first but it blew off 2x clamped, so replaced lines then just pulled the clips from the rad
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 16,557
Likes: 2,104
From: Peoria/Phoenix AZ
C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
dont cut the lines just pull the clips, and the hoses will push over the bevel of the lines, then clamp, bypassing the rad, i have the hayden black analed cooler 12x125 years no leaks, i did cut the lines at first but it blew off 2x clamped, so replaced lines then just pulled the clips from the rad
Bypass the radiator, use Gates 3/8" fuel hose pushed over the bevel and double clamped. Simple to do and easily reversible. You can even keep the clips in the glovebox to revert back in the unlikely event of a leak or failure.The Gates hose (O'reilly's/Autozone) is rated for continous pressure and temperature higher than you'd ever get.
I used a Hayden 70273 stacked plate cooler, which only required two 3/8" hose barb fittings in the 1/2" pipe connection on the cooler.
I mounted mine horizontally in the air flow going up to the radiator from the lower air dam. I removed the 5 screws attaching the bumper cover, slipped in the cooler, then replaced all but the center screw. That tension locked the cooler into place. It doesn't sit behind the Vararam, nor in front of the radiator, nor below the bumper where parking curb damage is possible.
I've never had tranny temps exceed 200* yet, even in heavy traffic with 110* rush hour afternoon temps.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 16,557
Likes: 2,104
From: Peoria/Phoenix AZ
C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Safety Car
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 3,582
Likes: 46
From: va
had the same idea, the z06 oil cooler being used as a trans cooler would look more like it came from the factory but it turned out to be an expensive option (300 something bucks for the cooler alone) compared to the universal kits (less than 100).