I'm ordering a "Stacked Plate" type.... 
Thanks for the "heads up" !!
Need advice on Trans Cooler
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 13,298
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From: Somers NY
Need advice on Trans Cooler
I'm getting a hi Stall converter tomorrow, & plan on putting in a Trans Cooler.. I did some research and found there are two types ..
1.. is a "Finned Aluminum"
2..is a "Stacked Plate"
I have been told the "Stacked Plate type is more "efficient" but I have to be careful not to clog it up.. ??
My neighbor is using a "finned Aluminum" and has had no problems.. but I'm leaning toward the "Stacked Plate" as I've seen where some cars with 3600 converters are running over 15 deg cooler than the finned aluminum
Anyone know about these... and any suggestions..
1.. is a "Finned Aluminum"
2..is a "Stacked Plate"
I have been told the "Stacked Plate type is more "efficient" but I have to be careful not to clog it up.. ??
My neighbor is using a "finned Aluminum" and has had no problems.. but I'm leaning toward the "Stacked Plate" as I've seen where some cars with 3600 converters are running over 15 deg cooler than the finned aluminum
Anyone know about these... and any suggestions..
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 27,254
Likes: 136
From: Short Hills, NJ
My converter is of a slightly higher stall than yours will be and I think you'd be shocked at how tiny my trans cooler is. And my trans temps almost never exceed 185 degrees even on the hottest summer day (I did once get into the 190s after making three all out 10.8 - 10.9 second hot lapped passes in a row though).
Of course our transmissions are different (A4 versus A6) as well.
It's sort of a trade off, depending on where one locates it a larger trans cooler also means less open radiator/cooling area...plus you have that Vararam that takes up some precious space as well to content with.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 13,298
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From: Somers NY
I can't see there being that much of a variation/differentiation in cooling abilities between those two types of trans coolers if their physical sizes/dimensions are otherwise identical.
My converter is of a slightly higher stall than yours will be and I think you'd be shocked at how tiny my trans cooler is. And my trans temps almost never exceed 185 degrees even on the hottest summer day (I did once get into the 190s after making three all out 10.8 - 10.9 second hot lapped passes in a row though).
Of course our transmissions are different (A4 versus A6) as well.
It's sort of a trade off, depending on where one locates it a larger trans cooler also means less open radiator/cooling area...plus you have that Vararam that takes up some precious space as well to content with.
My converter is of a slightly higher stall than yours will be and I think you'd be shocked at how tiny my trans cooler is. And my trans temps almost never exceed 185 degrees even on the hottest summer day (I did once get into the 190s after making three all out 10.8 - 10.9 second hot lapped passes in a row though).
Of course our transmissions are different (A4 versus A6) as well.
It's sort of a trade off, depending on where one locates it a larger trans cooler also means less open radiator/cooling area...plus you have that Vararam that takes up some precious space as well to content with.
Julio said he got the "Stacked Plate" now we just have to see the physical size, and I'll let Roy figure out where its best to mount..
I was thinking on the AC Condenser. ???? Where is yours mounted?
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,655
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From: Avon Indiana
St. Jude Donor '09
I still havent gotten around to putting one in my car and I have the Yank ss4000. I watch my trans temps religiously and have seen a max of 212(not great I know) if I drive it long enough
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Oct 1999
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From: Somers NY
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 27,254
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From: Short Hills, NJ
Yes, that's the usual spot at least. That's where mine is, to the left (if looking at it from the front of the car) of the Vararam.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: Orange Park FL
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Race Director
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From: Southampton NJ
i have a hayden stacked plate 12x12 dead center on the ac rad behind the vararam on a ride from southampton n.j. near atco to cartek on a hot 90 degree day my oil temp was 215 water 181 trans temp 175 if i moved it to one side im sure it would drop to 165 as the vararam is blocking the air and is tight against it
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 3,712
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From: TEXOMA
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
B&M Supercooler + internal cooler.
I'm pretty sure I could eliminate the internal trans cooler, but I like it to keep my trans fluid a lil warm, especially during the winter time.
highest I've seen was 185 with my ect at 215 in stop and go traffic. as soon as i got some air across the cooler, the temp dropped down to the 160's.
-Carl
I'm pretty sure I could eliminate the internal trans cooler, but I like it to keep my trans fluid a lil warm, especially during the winter time.
highest I've seen was 185 with my ect at 215 in stop and go traffic. as soon as i got some air across the cooler, the temp dropped down to the 160's.
-Carl
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 13,298
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From: Somers NY
i have a hayden stacked plate 12x12 dead center on the ac rad behind the vararam on a ride from southampton n.j. near atco to cartek on a hot 90 degree day my oil temp was 215 water 181 trans temp 175 if i moved it to one side im sure it would drop to 165 as the vararam is blocking the air and is tight against it
Also I "THINK" I want to be sure the tranny fluid runs through the factory cooler FIRST... then to the "new Stacked Plate" & back to the tranny...
Is there any way I can BE SURE which way the fluid runs so I won't have it backwards...
tkx,,
Team Owner
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From: Short Hills, NJ
Race Director
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From: Peoria/Phoenix AZ
C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Before you run out and install any cooler, you might be well served to stay without one until you determine the heat level you need to reduce.
With only a 2800 stall converter, I'd suspect you won't see much if any change in temps. I ran a 3200 without a cooler in the Phoenix summers without problems.
You don't want to be too cool either. Currently with a 3600 stall, I have shifting issues if the temps are below 140*. My best runs are in the 170* range.
With only a 2800 stall converter, I'd suspect you won't see much if any change in temps. I ran a 3200 without a cooler in the Phoenix summers without problems.
You don't want to be too cool either. Currently with a 3600 stall, I have shifting issues if the temps are below 140*. My best runs are in the 170* range.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 27,254
Likes: 136
From: Short Hills, NJ
Before you run out and install any cooler, you might be well served to stay without one until you determine the heat level you need to reduce.
With only a 2800 stall converter, I'd suspect you won't see much if any change in temps. I ran a 3200 without a cooler in the Phoenix summers without problems.
You don't want to be too cool either. Currently with a 3600 stall, I have shifting issues if the temps are below 140*. My best runs are in the 170* range.
With only a 2800 stall converter, I'd suspect you won't see much if any change in temps. I ran a 3200 without a cooler in the Phoenix summers without problems.
You don't want to be too cool either. Currently with a 3600 stall, I have shifting issues if the temps are below 140*. My best runs are in the 170* range.
But fortunately when he races (mostly during the warmer months) he often enters two and even three different classes in the same day so his trans should maintain some good heat between passes and even make that cooler justified on the really hot days.
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From: Peoria/Phoenix AZ
C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
That's a good point as well, especially when jpee races early (March/April) and late (October/November) in the season. He might have to drive it around the pits/parking lot a little bit to warm up the trans before heading into the lanes.
But fortunately when he races (mostly during the warmer months) he often enters two and even three different classes in the same day so his trans should maintain some good heat between passes and even make that cooler justified on the really hot days.
But fortunately when he races (mostly during the warmer months) he often enters two and even three different classes in the same day so his trans should maintain some good heat between passes and even make that cooler justified on the really hot days.
Reading a related thread has now caused me to change from duct tape to something non-sticky.
Last edited by HOXXOH; Sep 15, 2012 at 02:58 PM. Reason: added duct tape issue