Automatic Transmission 2-Speed thru 10-Speed GM Autos | Converters | Shift Kits
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Cooler Trans Temps!!

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 2, 2005 | 01:08 AM
  #1  
SeeYaSucker's Avatar
Thread Starter
11 Second Club
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 254
Likes: 0
From: Liberty SC
Default Cooler Trans Temps!!

I just swapped the M6 in my car to an A4 with 3500 converter, I used a PermaCool 24,000 cooler and since my car was an M6 my radiator does not have the factory cooler for the trans, highway temps are never above 125 and in town stop and go temps are never above 170, however my wifes car is a factory A4 car with the same cooler in the same spot used in conjuction with the factory cooler and her temps are considerably higher, I am just wondering if the factory cooler is actually heating the fluid from the hot antifreeze in the Radiator. I am going to bypass the factory cooler in her car and see if the Temps indeed do drop.
Reply
Old Jul 2, 2005 | 01:37 AM
  #2  
slowpoke96z28's Avatar
TECH Addict
15 Year Member
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,099
Likes: 9
From: cedar hill, tx
Default

yep, it sure ir heating it up. tell your wife if she bypasses the radiator cooler, her temps will be lower too. thank you for posting this. i hope everyone with tranny heat problems with external coolers that refuse to bypass their radiator coolers reads this.
Reply
Old Jul 2, 2005 | 10:55 AM
  #3  
RevGTO's Avatar
Pontiacerator
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
iTrader: (12)
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 6,216
Likes: 236
From: Wichita KS / Rancho San Diego
Default

At 125 your tranny is not even up to operating temp; for instance, lock-up occurs at 140-150. The fluid is not able to do its job optimally if it's too cool also. Perhaps one benefit of running the fluid through the radiator is getting it up to operating temp quickly. Everyone knows that too much heat destroys trannys, but that doesn't mean that "cooler is always better."
Reply
Old Jul 2, 2005 | 11:21 AM
  #4  
GregWS6&z28's Avatar
10 Second Club
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,247
Likes: 0
From: Portsmouth, VA
Default

Originally Posted by RevGTO
At 125 your tranny is not even up to operating temp; for instance, lock-up occurs at 140-150. The fluid is not able to do its job optimally if it's too cool also. Perhaps one benefit of running the fluid through the radiator is getting it up to operating temp quickly. Everyone knows that too much heat destroys trannys, but that doesn't mean that "cooler is always better."

you're saying that heat controls lockup???? ummmmmm

then can you tell me why mine locks up fine with temps at 110 degrees?

so what's the trans operational temp?

trying to put all of this together
Reply
Old Jul 2, 2005 | 12:47 PM
  #5  
SeeYaSucker's Avatar
Thread Starter
11 Second Club
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 254
Likes: 0
From: Liberty SC
Default

Originally Posted by GregWS6&z28
you're saying that heat controls lockup???? ummmmmm

then can you tell me why mine locks up fine with temps at 110 degrees?

so what's the trans operational temp?

trying to put all of this together




My converter Locks great at low trans temp fluids. I will bypass the factory cooler on my wifes car and I really do believe it will lower trans temps.
Reply
Old Jul 2, 2005 | 05:39 PM
  #6  
AK's WS6's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,132
Likes: 0
From: Grand Rapids, Michigan
Default

Mine won't lock up right away when it's cold out, but I don't have a trans temp gauge, so i'm not shure what the actual temp. is.
Reply
Old Jul 2, 2005 | 05:45 PM
  #7  
slowpoke96z28's Avatar
TECH Addict
15 Year Member
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,099
Likes: 9
From: cedar hill, tx
Default

being grand rapids MI, i'm pretty sure its colder that where SLVRLS1 is.
i kinda look at it like the T/B bypass. it'll work great for 95% of the people, but some places get cold enough to need the coolant to help warm up.
Reply
Old Jul 3, 2005 | 10:45 AM
  #8  
gwj's Avatar
gwj
TECH Addict
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,003
Likes: 0
From: Live Oak, FL - in the woods where the creatures lurk.
Default

Normally I run my tranny cooler AFTER the radiator in summer, BEFORE the radiator in winter. I was getting lots of PO751 codes in the winter when the trans oil was taking a while to heat up until doing the "winter" switch. And this is in Florida.
Even running the tranny cooler before the radiator in summer my trans oil temps seldom get above 178*.
I'm not a big fan of high trans temps, but I'm not partial to the oil taking a long time to heat up, either.
my .02.
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-5

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-9

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jul 3, 2005 | 12:29 PM
  #9  
SeeYaSucker's Avatar
Thread Starter
11 Second Club
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 254
Likes: 0
From: Liberty SC
Default

Yeah, I totally agree with you on the different climates, It rarely gets real cold here, But I did bypass the factory cooler on the wifes car and I did in fact see a 20-25 degree drop in trans temps, just by bypassing it, however it did take a little longer to reach its max temp, but just slightly longer. For people in warmer climates I think its great for lower Trans. temps.
Reply
Old Jul 4, 2005 | 12:19 PM
  #10  
99ssleeper's Avatar
12 Second Club
iTrader: (98)
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,036
Likes: 2
From: Minnesota
Default

I have the 24K cooler in conjunction with the stock cooler and my temps stay 150-175 all the time. In cool weather they drop to about 110-120...but my 3500 converter locks up just like normal all the time.
Reply
Old Jul 4, 2005 | 12:32 PM
  #11  
CAT3's Avatar
Restricted User
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 7,603
Likes: 0
From: Sierra Vista, AZ
Default

Sounds like I'll have to bypass my radiator cooler. I could use the additional cooling, here in Hawaii and when I PCS to Arizona. Good looking out.
Reply
Old Jul 4, 2005 | 12:53 PM
  #12  
RevGTO's Avatar
Pontiacerator
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
iTrader: (12)
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 6,216
Likes: 236
From: Wichita KS / Rancho San Diego
Default

Originally Posted by GregWS6&z28
you're saying that heat controls lockup???? ummmmmm then can you tell me why mine locks up fine with temps at 110 degrees? so what's the trans operational temp? trying to put all of this together
Now that I think of it, the sensor may be keyed to coolant temp, not tranny fluid temp. Does anyone know? On my car, it doesn't lock until it's just a hair shy of the first line (160* or whatever it is).
Reply
Old Jul 4, 2005 | 12:57 PM
  #13  
SeeYaSucker's Avatar
Thread Starter
11 Second Club
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 254
Likes: 0
From: Liberty SC
Default

Yeah I am pretty sure its with the coolant temp, B/C my converter won't lock until the engine is warm, but locks at any trans. fluid temp.
Reply
Old Jul 4, 2005 | 01:13 PM
  #14  
SmokingWS6's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,795
Likes: 2
From: St. Louis MO
Default

SLVRZLS1, i have the opposite finding, in the winter I can leave with a cold motor or after warming the motor up for 15 mins but the trans still will not lock untill after a few mins of driving.

I forget the exact trans temp needed for lockup but I believe its around 100*. I had to drive my car once in 5* and it still locked up, it took longer than normal, maybe 5-10 mins of driving before it went into lockup.
Reply
Old Jul 4, 2005 | 02:39 PM
  #15  
FaSS Blac's Avatar
On The Tree
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
From: Pemberton N.J.
Default

I'm only gonna say this one more time!! I run two trans coolers, a Derale deep pan, with cooling tubulatores, and Mobil One synthetic fluid. I also tried the radiator/bypass experiment and went back to the bypassed setup because the temps were way to high going through the rad. I had a torque converter unlock problem on the highway that made me hook the rad back in the system. This did not help. LSS, it turned out to be my Hypertech 160 T-stat was making the engine run to cold on the highway, (170-172 then unlock). Put the stock 195 back in, problem solved. I then bypassed the rad and tested again. No problemo. The engine temp has more to do with trans function than people realize. My car also runs leaner with the 195 stat and that "silly" SLP y-pipe. It feels +20 hp up on it's game now with the two. I talked to a 12 year veteran of 700R rebuilds last night, and he confirmed everything I've been doing as good for the trans longevity. He had to fight tooth and nail a few years back, to convince his penny pinching boss to go synthetic in the fleet trucks they had. He finally convinced them that they would actually save money because they would not have to change fluid near as often. He also put the largest Hayden type coolers on the trucks too. He confirmed the -25 degree temp thing was not a myth either. My trans stays at a hair above 100 degs in the winter on the way to work, but locks the converter everytime, once the ENGINE reaches 177 degs. Oh BTW, my trans shifts a lot firmer with the stock 195 t-stat in!!!!
Reply
Old Jul 5, 2005 | 12:44 AM
  #16  
SmokingWS6's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,795
Likes: 2
From: St. Louis MO
Default

My converter will lock long before the ETC reaches 170*

Did your raise or your disable your misfire counts? Odds are you were having an excessive amount of missfires, more so with your 160* tstat and it was causing your converter to unlock. I raised all my missfire counts and have never had a locking issue since.

Also, why the heck would you run a 195* stat when the stock is 180
If your doing this to force the converter to lock and get 'better milage, you need to ditch the hypercrap ect and buy hptuners

Last edited by SmokingWS6; Jul 5, 2005 at 12:50 AM.
Reply
Old Jul 5, 2005 | 09:43 AM
  #17  
FaSS Blac's Avatar
On The Tree
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
From: Pemberton N.J.
Default

Originally Posted by SmokingWS6
My converter will lock long before the ETC reaches 170*

Did your raise or your disable your misfire counts? Odds are you were having an excessive amount of missfires, more so with your 160* tstat and it was causing your converter to unlock. I raised all my missfire counts and have never had a locking issue since.

Also, why the heck would you run a 195* stat when the stock is 180
If your doing this to force the converter to lock and get 'better milage, you need to ditch the hypercrap ect and buy hptuners
The stock T-stat is 195. I lock up at high 17x's in the winter when it's really cold. I've never had a missfire code.
Reply
Old Jul 5, 2005 | 10:31 AM
  #18  
SteveC's Avatar
TECH Resident
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 877
Likes: 55
From: Poway, Ca. where GOD and the sun always shines
Thumbs down

Originally Posted by RevGTO
At 125 your tranny is not even up to operating temp; for instance, lock-up occurs at 140-150. The fluid is not able to do its job optimally if it's too cool also. Perhaps one benefit of running the fluid through the radiator is getting it up to operating temp quickly. Everyone knows that too much heat destroys trannys, but that doesn't mean that "cooler is always better."
I respectfully disagree with this statement. I have a Y3000 2.0STR, with a 24k B&M cooler, and a 3qt deeper B&M pan. Normal freeway driving, I am running anywhere from 120F to 135F, and I achieve full lockup @ 43MPH.

SteveC
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:22 AM.

story-0
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-2
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-5
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-6
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE