I'm reinstalling my A/C system.
I had my trans built by Level 10 many years ago,they put in a cooler attached to the front of the radiator.
Now I'll be installing the A/C condenser and I'm concerned about mounting the cooler to it.

I've done searches and not coming to a definitive solution.
Read that it's not the best place,due to the heat,to mount in front of the condenser.

 

Best operation is AC, Trans, Radiator. However I don't think you would completely loose your AC if you did Trans, AC, Radiator. You might see a few degrees warmer temps out of the AC vent. I'm assuming the Trans cooler is smaller in size. You could mount it and duct air into it below the battery tray or some sort.

 

There's no room between the condenser and the radiator and no room between the radiator and the fans.
Trying to do this without any modifications that can't be removed to the car
This is on a 1990 IROC.
The cooler is about 12"x10"

 

I would mount it in-front of the condenser, is it optimal no, you only other option would be to find a condenser that you can mount on the front side of the radiator support (inside the bumper cover/air dam). Look around at cars with "tow packages" that add external trans coolers they are all in-front of the AC.

 

Not seeing to many good reviews on this but looks to be a good option.

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...P7B51JKXDGTGSQ

 

Imho that would not have the same cooling capacity as a proper trans cooler. I have considered one for power steering cooling though.

 

You might consider this option but it will require some room. It fits nicely under the front passenger floorboard if the cat converter has been removed but since you live in NY, you probably till have yours. The one I have used works great in the hot summers of Texas.

 

You should be able to find some place to put a reasonable size cooler. be creative about it. Sometimes they mount well near the back or middle of the car under the floor, if it has a fan on it. You should use one with a fan.
One of the reasons I dont like the trans cooler near the radiator area is because the radiator tends to run 180-200*F whereas the trans should be kept around 165*F.

 

I used the longer version of that on my TA, but by itself it didn't do much good. I still have it fitted along with a proper stacked plate cooler and I bypassed the radiator as well so now my temps rarely get above 130.

GD