im thinking about putting a trans cooler in my camaro but i have some questions, do i need to find a trans that originally had a trans cooler? if not how do i install one that wasnt originally equipped with one. and does it matter where i mount the actual cooler part?
thanks guys

 

All automatic transmissions use coolers. The factory transmission cooler is in the radiator.

 

Yep. I installed a second cooler in my car though. What you do is basically splice it into one of the two steel lines (it really doesnt seem to matter which one, but all kinds of people will tell you all kinds of different things there) going into the passenger side of the rad and mount the cooler infront of the radiator.

What I personally did was splice into the top (return) line just by cutting it. Then I bent the ends upward and clamped high-temp hose meant for trans coolers onto them and ran them to the cooler that I used hose clamps to affix to the metal tensile bars that form an x just infront of the rad. I admit I shouldnt have just clamped the hose striaght to the steel line, but I havent had any problems yet. And my shop teacher told me it would be ok. And that was in high school. Meh.

 

I ran new hoses straight to the transmission and bypassed the stock transmission cooler. No problems yet, definitely looks cleaner to me, and keeps the metal lines from getting in the way when pulling the engine. Long tubes also made things more complicated with the stock lines.

 

thats what i do
and it usually helps keep radiator temps down too
thus the tranny runs cooler as well
provided you have a decent size cooler
i also have the derale tranny pan on her car, so this summer i will bypass the stock one and mount the tranny cooler

 

has anyone actually verified if the ATF runs cooler by completely bypassing the stock cooler? i have mine set up so that the fluid goes in the stocker first, then out to my aftermarket cooler in front of the car, then back to tranny.

 

trans > radiator > external cooler > trans

It will allow the fluid to warm faster, and will allow extra cooling after going through radiator. I am using the external cooler only, takes about 10-15 minutes to get the fluid to 110-130.

 

I saw a trans specialist on one of the hot rod tv shows they have and the guy said that for every 10 degrees you drop in trans fluid temp your trans will live 10.000 more miles. Heat is the enemy. I run mine through the radiator then through a external trans filter then through a cooler in front of the a/c condensor. I also use synthetic fluid which is supposed to help.

 

thanks guys i dont know why i didnt get emailed with the repsonses

 

which synthetic ATF are u using?

 

I use mobil one synthetic trans fluid as well as motor oil and also there synthetic motor oil filter. The oil filter is amazing. It filters a lot better than a regular filter. It is a little pricy but with the money I have in my motor it is worth it. I use mobil one in everything even my lawn mower. Royal Purple and other synthetics are as good but in general all synthetics are far superior to the old style oil.

 

If you dont run the tranny fluid through the radiator and just an external cooler it will not allow the fluid to warm up as quickly which is also bad for it.
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Mods. GMPP Vortec heads, Comp Cams XR269HR, Crane Gold Rockers, Hooker headers, SDPC intake manifold, free flow exhaust, Air Foil, TB Bypass, K&N filter. Future mods, TPIS Runners, AFPR.

 

Proof?

My B&M cooler supposedly bypasses most of the cooler when the fluid is cool to heat up to temp. quicker. Probably more effective than having the coolant do the warming (which isn't very warm at first and prevent the fluid from warming).

 

Funny thing about those coolers... The closest passages are larger, to allow "thick" fluid to bypass, yet when its warm it magically takes the smaller, more restrictive passages... Not discounting you, just the design. of course, better than nothing

EDIT: Yes, Thicker will go to the bigger tubes, but so will lots of the thin... OT i know.

 

Yeah I know, who would have thought the cool viscous materials wouldn't flow into the narrow cooler tubes as well as the warmer fluid! :end sarcasm:


But seriously, the design may not be extremely effective, but it certainly makes sense to some extent.

 

I'm planning to do the same thing, the question is: Which line did you take to make the filter and extra cooler installation, the upper or the lower? Thanks!

 

I believe the trans pumps the fluid to the top of the radiator so I came out of the bottom of the radiator then to cooler in front of the AC condensor then to the filter where my battery used to be (moved battery to where spare tire was) then from the filter to the lower metal trans line. I got one of the oil filter looking external trans filters. I have over $600.00 just in bigger better hard parts in my 700r4 and I want them to live. I thought the wimpy filter in the pan wasn't that great so I added another. I love having the battery in the rear. Now I can jump the car or put a battery charger on from the front or back. A little extra wiring but worth it.

 

Well think about it this way. The rad is always cooler than the trans fluid. So if you run it through the rad it will take x ammount of heat out of the atf. Then you run it through the external cooler and it takes y ammount of heat out. X + Y > Y.


The trans pumps the fluid to the bottom of the rad.

 

Well then I will have to re-route mine. IMO you need the rad to take the brunt of the heat and then the external cooler should drop it even more. If you go through the external first it may be cooler than what the temp is in the rad. I asked a transmission man and he told me that the trans pumps to the top of the cooler and sucks from the bottom because heat rises up the cooler so the fluid at the bottom will be cooler than the top. I don't know to tell you the truth but I have asked one mechanic (a trans guy) and another part time mechanic and they both told me the same thing. I would like to know the truth myself. I would also like to know some average temps out of the rad and also how much help an external really gives.

 

If you search this site you'll find everyone says the top is the return. Hot air rises, yes, but I dont know about fluid. Anyway, if you really want to know for sure, unhook one of them, start the engine, and see which way it squirts.

I agree with you on teh external cooler thing. I have both. Though I do remember hearing one guy say his B&M tranny said to completely bypass the stock cooler, dont know why though.

 

It fills from the bottom so it always runs full.

 

I had my tranny rebuilt, the guy who did it put 1 small cooler behind the grille and that was it. BTW he is very reputable.