B&M Hi Tek Cooling System
 

How do you think this B&M Hi Tek cooling system would be for this AT cooler situation? Has fan thermostatically controlled to kick in at 160 degrees. Is 10 1/2 by 6 1/2 inches, plate type, 4 inches thick.

Is there anyplace to mount this that would be good and to avoid behind (or in front of) the AC condensor or the radiator (hot air!)?

YOUR OPINIONS PLEASE - Thanks! :D

P.S. $190. @ Summit

.02 worth
 

Your tranny will benefit from any extra cooling you can provide. The location you put it is not as crucial.

Cooler with fan
 

Do you think it's worth the double or triple price to have the thermostatic control AND its own fan (so could be placed in "fresher air" places, BUT WHERE?) or just stick a plate cooler between the AC condensor and the radiator? :confused: :D

Re: Cooler with fan
 

well.......

No I don't think it's worth it - I think it's probably overkill. A good plate cooler between the A/C and radiator would be more than adequate.

I would also recommend replacing your ATF with Redline High Temp ATF.

Some members have placed their cooler in series with the stock one, others parallel and some bypass it completely. As noted elsewhere the early '92 models had a mesh screen in the stock rad cooler that tends to clog, later years had a different design.

I have a '92 so I also plan on replacing the radiator with the updated '94-'97 design. I know it's anal (and expensive) but that's just me. I have a B&M 19,000 GVW plate cooler to install with it - I'll put it where it fits the best, not too concerned if it's in front of or behind the radiator.

Redline
 

I had Redline in my AT (two times I replaced 4 to 5 quarts by simple draining), but the dealer thought my rough idle (high speed shuddering) was the AT. So, they did professional changeover (in and out at once) back to the regular stuff (I guess) last November 2002. It seems to shift a little better (less drawn out shifting) now, but I know the Redline is better lubrication. I certainly could switch back, but it's also expensive(?).

Re: Redline
 

OK........................

Did the dealer mention how ATF could affect idle????

That makes absolutely NO SENSE to me...I keep an open mind and I'm no mechanic, but DAMN I would like to hear the theory on that!

Sooo...did changing the ATF back to the regular stuff help out the idle?

Re: B&M Hi Tek Cooling System
 

James, no opinion, but at least one person (forget who) mounted an aux cooler in the driver side fender much like the intake sucks air from the passenger side fender. May have to do some serious searching but I know it's been discussed.

Yes, Elninoalex has a cooler mounted under his front left fender in front of the tire, looks like a good location, however he doesn't need it anymore...went to a 5-speed.

Be cautious though about too much cooling. If the ATF is too cool, transmission efficiency suffers (~10%), and the TC will never lock.

Controlled cooling
 

That's why I brought this unit up for discussion. Because it's thermostatically controlled! The basic add-ons can only be controlled (removed in winter) by a stop flow valve.

However, it is more money (about $190) and is bigger (4 inches thick with built-in fan) than stock unit, so needs a special location to mount (and probably more tubing).

THANKS! :D

I have one mounted in drivers side fender. Pics in my locker in "sube stuff" folder. 2 coolers total, a stacked plate and the perma cool with fan. TC lockup no problem above freezing temperatures. Lower temperatures and it will overcool and unlock TC on highway driving.

UNLOCK TC?
 

What does it mean to "overcool and unlock TC on highway driving"?

THANKS, :D

Re: UNLOCK TC?
 

Means that the tranny must be at or above a certain temp for the torque converter to lock up.
At highway speeds the torqe converter should lock up, as in giving you a similar effect as a manual tranny.
You can obseve this by keeping an eye on the tach.
If the tranny is overcooled it thinks it's still "warming up" and won't lock up or even shift properly.

Re: UNLOCK TC?
 

If are driving the car at more than 45 mph in 4th gear with the Torque Converter locked, and the ATF temp drops below something like 150F, the Torque Converter will unlock. My SVX has an external ATF cooler in series with the stock cooler, and this happens to me fairly often when I'm driving in in temperatures below 45F. I'll be driving on the highway, and the TC will unlock. As a result, the ATF fluid will increase in temp over a period of about 5 minutes, and then the TC will lock again. The cycle repeats.

Also, as the ATF temp gets closer to that critical temperature, the ATF more easily unlocks when driving at a non-constant speed on the highway.

Re: Controlled cooling
 

I used a diverter valve so that the AFT by-passes the aux cooler in the winter.:cool: