I've been examining my options since discovering my torque converter is a non-lockup. My first thought was new converter, but they're kinda high $$$ for the stall range I have. I then thought about how would I keep it cool. Would the AC condenser provide enough cooling capacity to keep this non-lockup converter from cooking my trans if I were on the highway in OD? I drive maybe 40miles at a time on the highway at about 70MPH.

Anyone care to speculate?

Thanks,

 

Not quite sure if I follow. Your AC Condenser has nothing to do with it. Its always best to get a smaller diameter converter if doing a stall. Especially above the 3K mark. An additional cooler for the tranny 'after' the one in the radiator is always helpful. IMO, just getting a large stand alone coller for the trans and eliminating the routing through the rad is best.

 

Sorry I wasn't specific enough I meant using the AC condenser as a trans cooler.

 

IDK about that. You need to check that out with a tranny expert

 

i wouldn't recommend it. you'd be best off getting yourself a "low pressure drop" cooler made by LONG. id say probably part number 4590. its a little larger one. we install that one on performance vehicles and drag cars that we get in our shop

 

So I googled it and it is an 11" x 12" by 1.5" You think that would cool better than that huge AC condenser? And the AC condenser allows the addition of quite a lot of fluid...

Have you used an AC condenser and had less than stellar results?

Don't misunderstand me for being confrontational or anything, I'm just hoping to find out how good it works, hopefully from people that are or have used them. If it works and cools ok, it'll save me about $90 so thats nice... The reason I'm hesitant about spending alot of money on the trans is simple. I hate auto transmissions, but it was too good a deal to pass up to get the car on the road and remotely reliable. So a stick swap is in the cards, and if I can avoid droppin $90 on a cooler, it'd be nice since it'd be just a wasted expense... If I wanted to keep the auto I'd buy a nice lockup converter and a nice cooler like the one you pointed out, but I really don't want to keep it so I'm looking for cheaper options. So thats where I'm coming from with this idea.

 

it'd probably work. i've jus had so many guys that cannot get all the oils/contamination out of the condensor that when they get it goin it'd either stick valves or the oil residues would eat the glue off the clutch linings and they'd fall apart. same with the seals, expand and get soft, then melt themselfs down and leak/cause slip. i got those coolers on drag cars and heavy duty dodge/chevy/ford trucks pulling way over what thier supposed. to.

 

just get a - B&m super cooler 24,000 GVW

way better IMO to have that and they are only 75 bucks I think.



I havent checked my physical temps, however, the fluid level never gets to the top of the HOT zone so thats a good indication its staying cooler than before.

I have mine bolted right after the fluid comes out of the stock rad. cooler, simple install.

not having lockup and running high speeds for longer periods of time you def. need a cooler IMO.

 

Yeah see I hadn't thought about the possible damage from residues. Looks like I'll be searching through the classifieds and scroungin around here.

So, a cooler is a cooler right? Is there anything that makes one brand better than another? I know the stacked plate design is the one to have, and I know I'll need a considerably large one, but is there any advantage to say, the Long part that jed5161 mentions over the B&M part? As long as the dimensions are the same I would tend to think a cooler is a cooler. The reason I ask is because I'm cheap and if I run across an off-brand thats cheaper I'd be tempted to go that route...

Thanks for the advice guys