joecar

Probably the difference depends on whether the cooler is standing off from the frame rail (bottom radiator support) or whether it is mounted flush against it... I relooked at your pics, yours and a few others are flush mount, I'm wondering how much difference this makes.

wssix99 in post #1, his cooler is stand off style, he seems to be getting sufficiently lower temps.

If the temp is 150-160°F vs 200-210°F then I will be happy.

Thanks for taking some temp measurements, appreciated

wssix99

iTrader: (5)

I believe the flush mounts are designed like a radiator or condenser in that they are designed for forced air to move over them. The frame rail models have larger fins and pull air over them by convection. (not forced) So, I would expect the frame rail models with larger fins will cool better. (Assuming the two being compared have the similar fin surface area.)

guy7bmwm83

iTrader: (5)

Were you able to get some temperature readings? I will try to post a temp tomorrow after I arrive home from a one hour drive on a country road. I will also get a base temp before I start moving.

*Result*

I just got home from about a 2 hour drive of city/country driving. I purchased a thermometer -non digital- to measure the power steering fluid temp. I have the frame rail cooler from Perma-Cool and have not cut slots in the air dam. The cooler sits behind the air dam, beneath the radiator. The hot temp was 170F.

Bluestreak

I temporarily installed an oil temp gauge just after the cooler before I took the car to the autocross a couple weekends ago. Temps were 130-150° under normal street driving on the way to and from the race. Daytime temperatures were about 100°+ with the heat index. The highest temp I saw while racing (I couldn't watch the gauge too much!) was about 200-210°. The course lasted 55-60 seconds, had 9 aggressive turns, and top speed was about 55-mph. After my runs, by the time I drove into the cool down lane and back around to the staging area, PSF temp dropped to around 170-180° when I parked it.

Take from it what you will, gentleman.

guy7bmwm83

iTrader: (5)

Did you get any temperature readings for your fluid with the slits in the air dam?

djfury05

iTrader: (30)

What are the options for deleting the power steering cooler all together? Can I just cap the 2 ports on the bottom of the PS reservoir or should I loop the line to both ports?

LS6427

iTrader: (2)

No....just got my new tranny in this past weekend, car has been sitting on a lift for a long time. I'll try to do it tomorrow when I get it back to my friends shop, the fluid will be at max operating temp, under normal driving getting to his shop. Its about a 25 minute ride to his shop. Hopefully he has his laser temp gauge there.

Where do you want readings from, just after the cooler?

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LS6427

iTrader: (2)

Bad idea. But you just have to loop it from the rack back to the reservoir, thats it. No cooler.

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djfury05

iTrader: (30)

What/why is it a bad idea? If earlier years didn't have a cooler why do I need one?

LS6427

iTrader: (2)

And pumps didn't last as long as they do these days. My pump is my 1998 original, I'm certain its because I got rid of that factory joke of a cooler and put an aftermarket one on.

I'm sure you'll be fine without any cooler at all.....but you're not helping the pump last as long as it possibly can, thats all.

Heat kills everything...........

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guy7bmwm83

iTrader: (5)

I took the temperature reading from the power steering reservoir. It was 170F. I am curious about your reading since you have cut outs in the air dam.

LS6427

iTrader: (2)

Why wouldn't you want the temp right where the fluid leaves the cooler...because thats the temp of the fluid that will be going back into the pump.....thats what counts.

I was gonna hit the metal output port on the cooler with the laser? I'll hit the rubber return line right at the bottom of the reservoir too.

PM me a reminder tomorrow night. Again, I hope he has his laser at the shop.

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djfury05

iTrader: (30)

I understand and thank you for clarification. I am doing a single front mount and the more **** I can get rid of the easier and cleaner looking it will be.

guy7bmwm83

iTrader: (5)

I would have to disconnect the line to use the type of thermometer that I have. I don't have a fancy one.

LS6427

iTrader: (2)

Oh. ok. Well, I'll get those readings when I can.

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djfury05

iTrader: (30)

those laser temp reading guns are like $10 from Harbor Freight lol

LS6427

iTrader: (2)

Yea, there's a Harbor Freight on the way to my friends shop, gonna pick one up on the way. My damn 02 sensors didn't get here today so I couldn't go there. They better show up tomorrow..........friggin Amazon.

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LS6427

iTrader: (2)

Harbor Freight...laser temp gauge....$15.00 But has terrible reviews.

Didn't want to buy one, but maybe I'l get this one for $25.00. GREAT reviews.
http://www.harborfreight.com/infrare...ter-93984.html

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LS14ME2

Is there any place up top to mount the cooler? Any reason not to?

LS6427

iTrader: (2)

Up top where....in the engine bay?

If thats what you mean, there's no airflow there. The purpose of a cooler is to get hit by ram air or at least be out in the open ambient outside air. Not in a hot engine bay. Thats another reason the GM factory cooler is a JOKE......

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