Trans cooler
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
Trans cooler 72' Chevelle with stock 5.3 and 4L60e. Going to try the stock chevelle radiator which has trans cooler connections. Anyone running something similar and using the stock radiator without an added trans cooler?
Thanks
Bob
Thanks
Bob
If the radiator was working properly in it's prior application I see no reason to expect problems.
If you add a stall or start racing, I would add an external cooler to supplement the one in the radiator.
If you add a stall or start racing, I would add an external cooler to supplement the one in the radiator.
I had been running both. Though the Radiator and then into the External Cooler. Engine Temp was running a bit, I re-routed the Radiator cooler out and ran the External one only. Engine Temp dropped 10-15 degree.
Not sure what the trans fluid temp was as I don't have a gauge on the line yet.
Just something to consider.
BC
Not sure what the trans fluid temp was as I don't have a gauge on the line yet.
Just something to consider.
BC
Launching!
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 276
Likes: 1
From: Mid Mo via Lancs. England
I run only Derale stacked plate coolers. Trans temps while pulling a heavy 4wd never tops 175 degrees. Offroading in past rigs, same result.
I use the radiator as a radiator only, to gain a little cooling for the motor.
Martin
I use the radiator as a radiator only, to gain a little cooling for the motor.
Martin
Trans cooler I had an external cooler on my 33 ****** and it did just fine. The cooler was mounted horizontal and about 2" off the floor just in front of the left rear wheel (don't forget, this is a 33 ******...no room). I was concerned so I put a gauge on the trans pan and much to my supprise it would take longer to heat up to 150 degrees than if the fluid was pre-heated by the radiator. Several times in very hot weather, stuck in traffic it went to 200 degrees but cooled quickly at speed in lockup. Don't forget the trans has steel and aluminum parts that must play together and designed to be happy at 150 degrees. Too much cooling can be as bad as overheating.
Trending Topics
If you use a good external cooler and bypass the radiator completely the next problem you'll have is warm up time - as in it will take forever for the transmission to come up to temp.
I nab plate / fin coolers from full size trucks with tow packages or a smattering of front wheel drive vehicles depending on what I'm working on and the space I have available. I simply cut the lines about a foot back and unbolt the cooler. I'm usually out the door for $20.
For anyone who didn't know, we can actually monitor the transmission temp in our cars through the PCM with a scanner that does live data (hand held or PC based).
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power
Verdad Gallardo
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die
Verdad Gallardo
On The Tree
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 188
Likes: 0
Ditto on the too much cooling, lots of people dont think bout that one. I always run em trans, external, radiator and back. That way no matter how much the external cools it off it has the radiator to help regulate temp. Especially in lock up, when you have was less heat being created. If you do go external only one with a fan on a temp switch is a good idea, but really unless you have no options for line routing, try to keep the radiator hooked up