Is this tranny cooler any good?

**JayTA98** · 01-13-2011, 04:34 PM

This is the only brand available at local autoparts. It cost $60.
Is 3/4" x 11" x 11 3/8". What do you think guys?

**Z28Thunder** · 01-13-2011, 05:03 PM

Looks good to me... What is it rated for BTU or GVW wise????

**JayTA98** · 01-13-2011, 05:13 PM

I checked their site and the box itself. The only info i see is that can be used with vehicles towing over 10k lbs. No BTU info...

**Z28Thunder** · 01-13-2011, 05:22 PM

Looks like GVWR up to 30,000 lbs. It will work great.

**pajeff02** · 01-13-2011, 05:24 PM

Looks like a B&M stacked plate type design. I agree -- should be good to go with that.

**JayTA98** · 01-13-2011, 05:28 PM

ok thanks guys

**JayTA98** · 01-16-2011, 06:58 PM

Ok I finish installing the cooler and found out that I can't use the zip ties that come with it. I had to fabricate some brackets with aluminum. It's all done. I'm checking for leaks. I had a small one at the radiator cooler fitting but after tighting the fitting some more it stopped. I'm still monitoring for leaks.

Question: I will like to install a trans temp gauge in the future. Which guage can I get and where do I hook it up? Do I just tap it to the one of the fluid lines? What kind of adapters I need to complete the project? Thanks.

**c5z28** · 01-16-2011, 07:02 PM

Look up one of sarge's recent posts. He mentioned something about a valve body to keep the temps within range.

**JayTA98** · 01-16-2011, 07:23 PM

I think I read it. It like a tstat for the trans fluid. What im looking for is to hook up a trans temp gauge. My car is a DD. I connected the trany cooler with the radiator OEM one. I made the connection on the top line. The one with the hose clamp at the bottom. Do I still need the tstat set up? I will post pics soon. thanks.

**pajeff02** · 01-17-2011, 08:28 AM

Some of the cast aluminum aftermarket transmission pans have fittings for temp senders. Not sure about installing one on a stock pan, unless you remove it and weld in a bung.

**JayTA98** · 01-18-2011, 02:11 PM

any link to these aftermarket pans? or what do i search for? 460LE aftermarket pan? thanks.

**pajeff02** · 01-18-2011, 02:14 PM

Originally Posted by JayTA98

any link to these aftermarket pans? or what do i search for? 460LE aftermarket pan? thanks.

The pans I saw were either in Jeg's or Summit. The cast aluminum ones are generally deeper than stock, so you have added fluid capacity... and less ground clearance. Not sure if any of our sponsors carry aftermarket pans. I would guess that both KY Speed and New Era Performance Parts might sell them.

**JayTA98** · 01-18-2011, 02:17 PM

Originally Posted by pajeff02

The pans I saw were either in Jeg's or Summit. The cast aluminum ones are generally deeper than stock, so you have added fluid capacity... and less ground clearance. Not sure if any of our sponsors carry aftermarket pans. I would guess that both KY Speed and New Era Performance Parts might sell them.

the clearance might be an issue. there is no way to get some kind of adapter that i can attach it to the rubber lines?

**pajeff02** · 01-18-2011, 02:18 PM

Originally Posted by JayTA98

the clearance might be an issue. there is no way to get some kind of adapter that i can attach it to the rubber lines?

No idea. You might want to post up a new thread on "transmission temp gauge installation" and see if anyone knows of another method.

**Cutlass** · 01-18-2011, 04:50 PM

I've never installed one but considered it in my previous car. I had a trans pan with a drain plug in it. I figured there was probably a way to screw a temp sensor in place of the drain plug but I never researched. So thats one idea.
I've also seen trans temp sensors in the cooler lines before. It was factory installed on a mid 90s LT1 Cadillac Fleetwood, IIRC. I'm sure there is a way to do that also with an aftermarket kit

**JayTA98** · 01-20-2011, 05:27 PM

Thanks for the ideas guys. So far no leaks. Now just to double check I installed the cooler in this sequence: From the top radiator cooler line to one input of the cooler. From the output of the cooler to the line that had the hose clamp at the front of the engine. Is this right? I hope so is kinda late to ask but thats what made sense.

**Sarge** · 01-21-2011, 04:11 AM

I put my trannie temp gauge inline (spliced) about a foot from where it comes out of the trannie. Too cool and your trannie fluid will not do its job. You want around 120f minimum. Put a tstat in there man. I like mine to open around 180'ish.
http://www.perma-cool.com/Catalog/Cat_page14.html

**Sarge** · 01-21-2011, 04:12 AM

Oh.....I used a "T" then the gauge just screwed onto that.

**JayTA98** · 01-21-2011, 01:56 PM

Originally Posted by Sarge

I put my trannie temp gauge inline (spliced) about a foot from where it comes out of the trannie. Too cool and your trannie fluid will not do its job. You want around 120f minimum. Put a tstat in there man. I like mine to open around 180'ish.
http://www.perma-cool.com/Catalog/Cat_page14.html

So if im understanding right without a tstat for the tranny cooler, the cooler wont work good enough? when the vehicle is driving doesn't the air flow cools the fluid down? I'm just adding the cooler to the whole stock system but won't it benefit from just the way it is? I'm sorry if I sound dumb but im trying to see the extra benefit of addind the tstat to the tranny cooler line.

**TA98** · 01-21-2011, 02:03 PM

theres a plug in the side of your transmission on the driver side up above the cable near the bellhousing i believe that you can pull out and the sending unit that comes with the guage will go right into. ill have to check exactly where it was when im near my car but i know its somewhere around there.