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bypassing radiator with a cooler

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Old Sep 27, 2012 | 11:01 AM
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Default bypassing radiator with a cooler
Just in case anyone cares when i replaced my transmission i bypassed the radiator and just used an aftermarket cooler. my transmission was trashed so i didnt want to trust just flushing the radiator.

anyway its cools great. about 20 degree cooler than with the radiator and no cooler. i drove around a mix of city and highway for about 2 hours last weekend and it didnt get over 160. granted it was 65 degrees out but still i would get to 180+ normally.
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Old Sep 27, 2012 | 08:41 PM
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I run the fluid through the radiator, and then out to the cooler. I am using a small cooler though.

B&M sells an external oil filter the works great. I used their kit on my old K5 that went through 2 tranies People call the 4T65E weak, and I call the TH350 weak in a truck! The filter went on after the 2nd trans of course.
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Old Sep 27, 2012 | 09:41 PM
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According to Dave @ TEP, always bypass the radiator cooler, assuming you have a decent sized cooler. Leaving the radiator cooler looped in only adds heat to the system.
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Old Sep 27, 2012 | 09:53 PM
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How large does the cooler have to be?
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Old Sep 27, 2012 | 09:55 PM
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I think Dave recommends something around a 24,000 GVWR or larger.
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Old Sep 28, 2012 | 08:30 AM
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He put a 20k one on my car. Works as it should and very well at that.
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Old Sep 28, 2012 | 09:11 AM
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Just curious, how were you guys monitoring the trans temps when bypassing the factory cooler?
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Old Sep 28, 2012 | 09:25 AM
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GXPs have it in their DIC, otherwise you have to get an external gauge for the SS's.
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Old Sep 28, 2012 | 09:29 AM
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Originally Posted by lVloses
GXPs have it in their DIC, otherwise you have to get an external gauge for the SS's.
Yeah I have a GXP, but I thought the trans temp sensor was located on the exit side of the factory radiator/cooler
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Old Sep 28, 2012 | 11:20 AM
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The sensor is not on the radiator. I have my rad bypassed, DIC still shows the correct temp.
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Old Sep 28, 2012 | 11:48 AM
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Originally Posted by The_Madcat
The sensor is not on the radiator. I have my rad bypassed, DIC still shows the correct temp.
OK, anyone have the dimensions of the cooler they are using or a possible link? I just had the trans rebuilt by the dealer and would like to bypass the factory cooler this weekend. I found one at a local parts supplier - would this suffice? http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/web...zoneAssigned=1
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Old Sep 28, 2012 | 12:41 PM
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Dave @ TripleEdge has a kit for this. It's a bit pricey but comes with all the stuff you would need to install the cooler. Clamps, hoses etc..

Here's his description, copied and pasted from his site:

Tru-Cool Low Pressure Drop Transmission Cooler
Transmission Cooler rating of 20,000 GVW
Installation brackets that bolt to existing holes so NO Drilling!
AN Hose and Fittings for maximum durability!
Earls Perform-O-Flex -6 AN stainless braided hose
Earls AN fittings
Preassembled hoses and hose ends for easy installation
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Old Sep 28, 2012 | 01:05 PM
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Originally Posted by The_Madcat
Dave @ TripleEdge has a kit for this. It's a bit pricey but comes with all the stuff you would need to install the cooler. Clamps, hoses etc..

Here's his description, copied and pasted from his site:

Tru-Cool Low Pressure Drop Transmission Cooler
Transmission Cooler rating of 20,000 GVW
Installation brackets that bolt to existing holes so NO Drilling!
AN Hose and Fittings for maximum durability!
Earls Perform-O-Flex -6 AN stainless braided hose
Earls AN fittings
Preassembled hoses and hose ends for easy installation
i got his when i ordered my transmission. i think it was 90 or so
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Old Sep 28, 2012 | 01:28 PM
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If you get just the cooler, yes. The kit includes all the hoses and fittings for the whole job. Probably a bit more than buying all the parts individually, but you should need 0 additional items with the kit.
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Old Sep 28, 2012 | 01:38 PM
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Yeah, installing his kit is a no-brainer and the fittings and hoses he provides are high quality.
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Old Sep 28, 2012 | 04:17 PM
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Originally Posted by The_Madcat
If you get just the cooler, yes. The kit includes all the hoses and fittings for the whole job. Probably a bit more than buying all the parts individually, but you should need 0 additional items with the kit.
the options he gave me was a universal kit that will bypass the radiator, or i'm sure you can put it inline. or the more expensive kit that goes inline.


i got the cheaper universal kit, came with everything i needed.
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Old Sep 29, 2012 | 04:59 PM
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Originally Posted by LS1 Racing
According to Dave @ TEP, always bypass the radiator cooler, assuming you have a decent sized cooler. Leaving the radiator cooler looped in only adds heat to the system.
Doh.. But it's working fine. Never gets above 188*
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Old Oct 1, 2012 | 09:13 AM
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Originally Posted by DavidGXP
Doh.. But it's working fine. Never gets above 188*
i wouldnt think it would add heat unless you went through the cooler first, then the radiator.
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Old Oct 1, 2012 | 09:43 AM
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those who did bypass the radiator? Did you block off the ports on the radiator with anything?
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Old Oct 1, 2012 | 11:12 AM
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Originally Posted by blkchevyz
i wouldnt think it would add heat unless you went through the cooler first, then the radiator.
If you're going to run the radiator cooler, then yes, you go first to it, then to the cooler, but since the radiator cooler is less efficient and in close proximity to 200 degree engine coolant, it just sends additional heat to the add-on cooler, resulting in higher fluid temps across the board.

When I first installed the trans cooler when we bought the car, I had routed to the radiator first, then the add-on unit. After the second rebuild, I followed Dave's advice and just ran the add-on cooler only, and the average temps dropped about 12-14 degrees.

Originally Posted by blkchevyz
those who did bypass the radiator? Did you block off the ports on the radiator with anything?
Nahh. Nothing is going to get in there!
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