I'm installing a new radiator and was wondering if it's worth it to install a trans cooler. I know it'll cool down the tanny fluid better, but have any of you guys actually seen a difference before and after the cooler swap in? And how do you position the cooler behind the radiator, what angle? Thanks for any help.

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88'TA 305TPI 330HP, NATURALLY ASPIRATED, PASSES N.J. EMMISIONS. "I AM JUST THAT GOOD"

 

The only way you'll know for sure is to use a tranny temp gauge. If the oil temp stays between 180 and 200 then the cooler is doing it's job. If you have a higher stall converter, pull a trailer or generally abuse the tranny, the oil temp can rise to temperatures that will start to damage it. Adding a cooler will minimize the high temperatures.

It can be mounted before or after the cooler in the rad. It's best to mount it before the rad cooler to let the air remove as much heat as possible, then let the rad either remove more heat or bring the heat back up to operating temperatures before returning the oil back to the tranny. It's better to mount it in front of the rad but it can be mounted anywhere and in any position but some sort of air flow across the fins is prefered.

If the rad cooler can't remove the excess heat, the engine will overheat because the rad isn't efficient enough to remove all that heat. Either use a larger cooler or bypass the rad cooler.

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Follow my racing progress on Stephen's racing page
and check out the race car

87 IROC-Z Pro ET Bracket Race Car
383 stroker (carbed) with double hump cast iron heads and pump gas
461 Big Block installed and ready for the 2001 racing season

Best results before the 383 blew up
Best ET on a time slip: 11.857 altitude corrected to 11.163
Best MPH on a time slip: 117.87 altitude corrected to 126.10
Altitude corrected rear wheel HP based on power to weight ratio: 476.5
Best 60 foot: 1.662

Racing at 3500 feet elevation but most race days it's over 5000 feet density altitude!
Member of the Calgary Drag Racing Association

87 IROC bracket car, 91 454SS daily driver, 95 Homebuilt Harley

 

in a single word YES! i noticed a nice difference in shifts...the tranny felt more responsive..some people have had mixed results....i mean it can't hurt the tranny and they aren't expensive and VERY easy to install

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Originating member of the SJNEP Crew
Rice..It's whats for dinner!
All new projects put on hold till its fixed..whenever that is
Check out MyGTA
***AOL IM RiceEatinGTA***
Tony

 

I have one and its awsome! When on the highway it really snaps into a lower gear now (no trans mods) Plumb it so that it goes through the rad first THEN to the cooler. I mounted mine infront of the rad using an existing tab at the bottom. I then mounted one of the given brackets to give it support at the top. Look around for some pics, i know there are some here.

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• 89 Formula 305 WS6
  SFC's,
  LCA's,
  Air foil
  Flowmaster cat back
  Tranny Cooler
  A/F Ratio Meter
  Trans Temp (not a mod but it sure spurs interest)
• 90 Eagle Talon 2.0
  (winter beater)
  Mods? HA! its a rice burner!

 

The correct way to mount it is through the cooler first, then through the radiator. If you live in an area where temps stay above 30 degrees use a larger cooler and don't run it through the radiator.

 

YES !!!! you'll see a difference in the longevity of your trans.
The only thing that destroys a trans is heat !! Keep it cool and it'll last much much longer...