I want to add a external transmission cooler to my Iroc. I've read it needs to go through the radiator and the cooler but I'm curious as to how I need to run the lines. Do I just cut the metal lines going into the radiator, run rubber line from them to the cooler and then back into the radiator?

 

Factory uses the rad to cool fluid or keep it at the same temps, around 200 which is good for a tranny most of the time.

An aftermarket air cooler is separately mounted and you usually just run braided lines from trans to cooler and back to trans. No need to go back thru radiator.

 

that is what i did for mine,ran -6 braided line to the
cooler(early '90s explorer cooler with it's own fan
added)i also added a strainer to the cooler feed line
because i had it on hand at the time-it caught a lot of
debris when my torque converter lunched it's thrust
bearing...

 

You can certainly bypass the factory cooler, but keep in mind that a fluid to fluid cooler is about 5x more effective than air cooling alone. I suggest you put an external cooler after the radiator cooler to bring the temp down in a more consistent manner, have done it on a few cars with excellent results.

 

How exactly do I route it through the radiator and the cooler? The only way I see is to cut the return line, run hose from the transmission side of the line up to the cooler, loop back and into the radiator but if I do that then it seems to me the line will have to kink in order to work? And where do I get the braided line and what ends will I need or does it just clamp on?

 

I've got a few pictures in my build (see signature). Remove the return line and route new rubber transmission line or braided line to the front of the radiator where the cooler will be. My tubing goes around the radiator on the passenger side. If you use rubber lines make sure and not to kink them, but to gently curve.

If you are using braided lines then you can add connections that will better route everything. In my opinion use the rubber lines for now and upgrade to braided later once you know where you want everything to go. It's cheaper too.

 

Here's my temporary setup.







Some older pictures. I now have stainless steal braiding running from the hard lines.