help me settle the cooler debate Plus trans update
help me settle the cooler debate Plus trans update Trans lost 3/4 on the autobahn going about 70mph at half gas. With some direction from performabuilt, Ive disassembled the trans and found that the 3/4 clutches were toast. currently waiting for a blow gun to test for seal leaks. I have new clutches, overhaul kit, filter and lube. Will keep adding updates as I progress.
I can't get one thing out of my head though....Some die hard cooler guys say removing the stock trans cooler in favor of an aftermarket fanned one is what killed my trans. The trans manufacturer also told me that the stock cooler can remove 32 times more heat via water than an air cooled one and that I should have hooked up the air cooled one in series with the stocker. I'm worried that once I get the trans back together if it was an overheat problem that this will happen again. I will get a trans temp gauge to verify. Also,...does anyone know what thread size the stock cooler uses? If I go that route, Id like to get a fitting to connect stock cooler to AN lines.
Please let me know what your opinions on aftermarket alone vs stock + aftermarket. (also have a 180 degree temp activate switch on cooler.)
THANKS!!!!
I can't get one thing out of my head though....Some die hard cooler guys say removing the stock trans cooler in favor of an aftermarket fanned one is what killed my trans. The trans manufacturer also told me that the stock cooler can remove 32 times more heat via water than an air cooled one and that I should have hooked up the air cooled one in series with the stocker. I'm worried that once I get the trans back together if it was an overheat problem that this will happen again. I will get a trans temp gauge to verify. Also,...does anyone know what thread size the stock cooler uses? If I go that route, Id like to get a fitting to connect stock cooler to AN lines.
Please let me know what your opinions on aftermarket alone vs stock + aftermarket. (also have a 180 degree temp activate switch on cooler.)
THANKS!!!!
I don't knwo for sure but thats the first time I've heard that the stocker is better than an aftermarket. Most that I hear is getting a nice big aftermarket one like B&M, etc.
Your right on the temp gauge though, thats a great idea and I'll be getting one too. I am going with the 4l80e though, not messing with the 4lshitty-e at all. Just not sure if I need the gauge for this Hoss, LOL
Your right on the temp gauge though, thats a great idea and I'll be getting one too. I am going with the 4l80e though, not messing with the 4lshitty-e at all. Just not sure if I need the gauge for this Hoss, LOL
FormerVendor
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 67
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From: Richmond, Texas
I'm not totally convinced that your tranny failed because you by-passed the oem cooler. Think you would've cooked more than just loosing the 3-4's. But the fact is liquid-to liquid transfers heat way more efficiently than an aux. aftermarket cooler, even though it's submerged in a radiator tank full of 180*+ coolant. Basic physics. The oem cooler can not support the add'l heat generated by a performance higher stall torque converter or even a stock torque converter "seeing" more power. That's where the aftermarket air-cooled aux. coolers come in.
I recommend installing your aux. cooler (at least 19,000 gvw or larger) in series after the oem cooler. You could run a very large aux. cooler by it's self or twin aux coolers works well. But if the oem cooler is still functional, by all means use it!
I recommend installing your aux. cooler (at least 19,000 gvw or larger) in series after the oem cooler. You could run a very large aux. cooler by it's self or twin aux coolers works well. But if the oem cooler is still functional, by all means use it!
Last edited by Mike@Century; Jan 31, 2008 at 11:55 AM.
I believe that when you buy a Transmission from performabuilt they want you to cut the OEM cooler out of the loop. Also I have a cooler meant for a motor home so I don't think the factory cooler is needed. My gauge says it is working pretty well so thats cool with me.
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the stocker is enough for the stock converter, but falls short with anything else. I kept my stock cooler and used the big bm one that takes an fittings. no probems in 6 months and aot of abuse on a cammed 3800 tci stall.
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I bypassed the stocker and ran one cooler and a temp gauge with my ST3500. Temps stayed fine for the most part. I added a second cooler when I installed the SS4000 and once again temps stayed very reasobable. Even with my current PT4400, cruising temps stay between 100-150. Stop and go temps stay between 150-180. I think the stock cooler being taken out of the loop and causing any kind of damage is BS provided you run a good aftermarket cooler or two.
I have an external cooler and plugged the lines on the radiator. The highest temp that I have seen is 179* at the track launching on a 150 shot hot lapping. I rebuilt my tranny and used Alto Red Eagle clutches, tansgo hd2, billet servos, and more with a 3600 vig converter.
I got it from 
:transmissioncenter.net:and actually have 2 of these "level 3 raptors" One thats sitting in the garage in pieces from the previous owner which lasted (no joke) 3 days. He got fed up and sold it to me....so I bought an identical one to the one he had and it lasted 1100 miles. Pretty sure I will not be going through them anymore.
One the other hand,
PERFORMABUILT will 100% get my business when I can figure out how to sneak the money for a 4l80e out of the wife's joint account without her knowing!!!.....
:transmissioncenter.net:and actually have 2 of these "level 3 raptors" One thats sitting in the garage in pieces from the previous owner which lasted (no joke) 3 days. He got fed up and sold it to me....so I bought an identical one to the one he had and it lasted 1100 miles. Pretty sure I will not be going through them anymore.One the other hand,
PERFORMABUILT will 100% get my business when I can figure out how to sneak the money for a 4l80e out of the wife's joint account without her knowing!!!..... 
TECH Resident
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From: Tree-Hugging, Bug eating CALI'
Like a couple people I saw, I run two B&M 24Ks through the OEM cooler. In 100+* stop-and-go I haven't seen much more than 180*, if that. I don't see it go higher at the track.
I have mine set up where they hang off the back side of the front bumper bar, where the washer reservoir used to be. I pulled the reservoir off (and relocated it behind and below the drivers side headlamp,) and removed all the plastic baffling from in front of the condensor/radiator. Removing that stuff allows for a lot more flow around and through the coolers (not to mention the condensor/radiator) and even allows air to be pulled through the holes I cut into the bumper absorber in front of the coolers, where the OEM grille holes are. Doing all this not only helped my tranny temps', but also lowered my coolant temps'. I've been using gauges to verify these changes on my car so I could remain objective.
I have mine set up where they hang off the back side of the front bumper bar, where the washer reservoir used to be. I pulled the reservoir off (and relocated it behind and below the drivers side headlamp,) and removed all the plastic baffling from in front of the condensor/radiator. Removing that stuff allows for a lot more flow around and through the coolers (not to mention the condensor/radiator) and even allows air to be pulled through the holes I cut into the bumper absorber in front of the coolers, where the OEM grille holes are. Doing all this not only helped my tranny temps', but also lowered my coolant temps'. I've been using gauges to verify these changes on my car so I could remain objective.
I just bought a tranny cooler and an electric fan at the local parts store and mounted it on the cooler.
Then I wired it so the trans cooler fan only runs when the factory electric fans run. (wired to the fan#3 relay)
Mine is on a TH350 and I haven't seen past 170 even on a 100+ degree day. The last trans I had lasted almost 3 years street and strip. But not many street miles.
Then I wired it so the trans cooler fan only runs when the factory electric fans run. (wired to the fan#3 relay)
Mine is on a TH350 and I haven't seen past 170 even on a 100+ degree day. The last trans I had lasted almost 3 years street and strip. But not many street miles.
I got it from :transmissioncenter.net:and actually have 2 of these "level 3 raptors" One thats sitting in the garage in pieces from the previous owner which lasted (no joke) 3 days. He got fed up and sold it to me....so I bought an identical one to the one he had and it lasted 1100 miles. Pretty sure I will not be going through them anymore.
One the other hand,PERFORMABUILT will 100% get my business when I can figure out how to sneak the money for a 4l80e out of the wife's joint account without her knowing!!!.....
:transmissioncenter.net:and actually have 2 of these "level 3 raptors" One thats sitting in the garage in pieces from the previous owner which lasted (no joke) 3 days. He got fed up and sold it to me....so I bought an identical one to the one he had and it lasted 1100 miles. Pretty sure I will not be going through them anymore.One the other hand,
PERFORMABUILT will 100% get my business when I can figure out how to sneak the money for a 4l80e out of the wife's joint account without her knowing!!!.....