Thread: Tranny Cooler Hookup

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Hey guys,

I just bought a new tranny cooler for my TA. My regular radiator has the inserts for the tranny lines. When I go to hookup my new cooler should I just hookup the new cooler and bypass the regular radiator? Or should I run the tranny lines to the cooler then the regular radiator then back to the tranny? Has anyone ever done this? What is the best way to do this?

Originally posted by onemangang
Hey guys,

I just bought a new tranny cooler for my TA. My regular radiator has the inserts for the tranny lines. When I go to hookup my new cooler should I just hookup the new cooler and bypass the regular radiator? Or should I run the tranny lines to the cooler then the regular radiator then back to the tranny? Has anyone ever done this? What is the best way to do this?

If you want to use both run to the radiator first and then to the cooler. Otherwise the radiator will just heat up the fluid again. I would buypass the radiator and run just the tranny cooler.

How would the radiator "heat up" the fluid? Also is it really better to run the cooler all by itself? should I just plug the radiator with pipe plugs? what would the best mounting place be? should it be in the front of the car with the most airflow?

Originally posted by onemangang
How would the radiator "heat up" the fluid? Also is it really better to run the cooler all by itself? should I just plug the radiator with pipe plugs? what would the best mounting place be? should it be in the front of the car with the most airflow?

Because the coolant from the engine will reheat the trans fliud. The only time that is a good thing is in very cold weather conditions, to bring the trans. temp up to operating temp faster.

I should add you'll want to mount the cooler someplace where it will get cool air. Like in front of the radiator so the fan will draw air through the cooloer at low speeds. Or if you mount it under the car make sure it in a place where it will catch good air going down the road. In front of the radiator woiuld be the best choice tho. To keep it away from road debris and possible punture.

And just a couple plugs in the rad. to keep dirt out of the trans cooler outlets.

if you do bypass the cooler make sure it is big enough to actually cool the fluid . if not you will have overheating problems and will blow fluid out your vent. i personally would run through the rad. and the cooler, you want to run the feed line to and from the rad. to the cooler making sure the return goes back to the trans.

Originally posted by junior
if you do bypass the cooler make sure it is big enough to actually cool the fluid . if not you will have overheating problems and will blow fluid out your vent. i personally would run through the rad. and the cooler, you want to run the feed line to and from the rad. to the cooler making sure the return goes back to the trans.

That's true, It does have to be big enough. There should be a rating on the cooler when you buy it. I ran a cooler only on my 40 chevy panel truck w/400 turbo, shift kit, H.D. clutch pack & 2,800 stall converter and a rather healthy 454. Pulled a pop up camper to and from rod runs almost every weekend. Raced it periodically, never had a problem. I DID make sure it was a big enough cooler tho.

you can however go to big . i have seen this where guys will actually put two or three coolers on a car thinking its helping them but actually hurt themselves because the trans could not produce enough cooler flow and hurt the life of the transmission.

Originally posted by junior
you can however go to big . i have seen this where guys will actually put two or three coolers on a car thinking its helping them but actually hurt themselves because the trans could not produce enough cooler flow and hurt the life of the transmission.

Have you ever seen a thermostatically controlled set Up? Maybe something that would bypass the cooler until operating temps. were reached. I haven't, but I wonder if there is such an animal?

actually front wheel drive chryslers such as the 604 trans will reduce cooler flow untill it gets hot. there is a check ball and spring under the pump that controlls this . that is basically what your saying.

Originally posted by junior
actually front wheel drive chryslers such as the 604 trans will reduce cooler flow untill it gets hot. there is a check ball and spring under the pump that controlls this . that is basically what your saying.

I was thinking more along the lines of somebody making an aftermarket in-line device? Some sort of thermostatic bypass valve? just thinkin' out loud.


And if it could be made adjustable, you could dial in the optimum operating temp.?

cant say ive seen any yet , but its a good idea.

Originally posted by pro70z28
I was thinking more along the lines of somebody making an aftermarket in-line device? Some sort of thermostatic bypass valve? just thinkin' out loud.


And if it could be made adjustable, you could dial in the optimum operating temp.?

http://www.batinc.net/thermos.htm

These work for engine oil. I wonder if they can handle the pressure of an auto trans though.


Abe

Originally posted by pro70z28
I was thinking more along the lines of somebody making an aftermarket in-line device? Some sort of thermostatic bypass valve? just thinkin' out loud.


And if it could be made adjustable, you could dial in the optimum operating temp.?

I am running a cooler with a 45000 lb gross rating, it has a non adjustable bypass that was in the kit for heating up the trans fluid till it warms up. My trans guy who got it for me say that is what they are using on the new trucks. My alum. Griffin Rad did not have fitting for the trans cooler. Ed ke6bnl

FYI cfs, when your on streets list, a lot of people seem to hold the same additude. You may now offically consider yourself "Screwed". Have a nice day