tranny cooler/ext. filter temp helper

Landshark · #1 11-14-2002, 11:13 AM

a while back someone posted regarding putting a heat shield on an aftermarket external filter, because it could be getting ambient heat from the engine. as a temporary experiment, i put a few strips of adhesive insulating tape (with aluminum backing, about 3" wide) around the metal filter/mount and temp sensor. i gave the car a SERIOUS workout yesterday running errands (about 50degF outside). went up many STEEP and LONG hills and much stop and go traffic in the process. the highest reading i got was 177degF for a few seconds. before, i would have easily been in the 190's or even slightly above 200. when it starts to get warm again, i'll make a more permanent heatshield. this really made a noticeable improvement on my PermaCool filter, which i have located under the battery.

mattski · #2 11-14-2002, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Landshark
this really made a noticeable improvement on my PermaCool filter, which i have located under the battery.

Landshark, I purchased the same filter but have not yet installed it. When you say "under the battery", do you mean in the wheel well literally under the battery or on the wall to the side and under the battery? Also, did you manage to install it vertically or horizontally?

Thanks,

Matt

Landshark · #3 11-14-2002, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by mattski

Landshark, I purchased the same filter but have not yet installed it. When you say "under the battery", do you mean in the wheel well literally under the battery or on the wall to the side and under the battery? Also, did you manage to install it vertically or horizontally?

Thanks,

Matt

on the wall to the engine side below the battery. make sense? i installed it at a slight angle vertically, pointing towards the rear of the car. as you may have seen, the mount that the filter screws into is a big chunk o' metal that could be heated up by the engine near it.

mattski · #4 11-14-2002, 01:14 PM

Yes, I understand. I wonder if the fenderwell location is better in that you do not have to deal with the heat issue. On the other hand the filter change is more cumbersome. Hmmmm, heat vs. ease of change, decisions, decisions.

Matt

cbx-man · #5 11-14-2002, 03:41 PM

I did the same install and I mounted the filter on the passenger side. There is WAY more room over there for some reason!?!? And I mounted it horizontally so it makes changing oil less messy- oil doesn't run down the sides and onto your hands.
Alan makes a great suggestion for a heat shield, which I'll be making out of roof flashing and a poor man's bending brake.

I'll post photos as soon as I finish...

Landshark · #6 11-14-2002, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by cbx-man
Alan makes a great suggestion for a heat shield, which I'll be making out of roof flashing and a poor man's bending brake.

nope, i can't take credit - someone else suggested this a while back, but i can't remember who. i just verified it. i'm thinking its not so much that the actual fluid is being heated, but the sensor is, giving erroneous readings. with a heat shield, you'd get a more accurate temp reading on your gauge.

svxy · #7 11-15-2002, 11:54 AM

Something like this...

http://www.jcwhitney.com/SearchCatCo...equestid=41088

SVXRide · #8 11-18-2002, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Landshark

nope, i can't take credit - someone else suggested this a while back, but i can't remember who. i just verified it. i'm thinking its not so much that the actual fluid is being heated, but the sensor is, giving erroneous readings. with a heat shield, you'd get a more accurate temp reading on your gauge.

Landshark,
I think it was the mechanical engineer in me coming to the surface in the "Transmission Cooler" thread over in "Chris's SVX Shop". Glad to hear that the laws of thermodynamics still apply

My PermaCool filter is still in its box waiting to be installed -- Pics of your installation - with heat shielding - would be great!!
P.S. -- CBXMan should check the Transmission Cooler thread, since we worked over the "installed on the passenger side" issue as it relates to additional heat to the filter.

Landshark · #9 11-19-2002, 01:12 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by SVXRide

My PermaCool filter is still in its box waiting to be installed -- Pics of your installation - with heat shielding - would be great!!

after thinking about putting a "permanent" heat shield around the filter and sensor, i have decided against it. i would have to cut and bend some sheetmetal, install it, and then un-install it every time i want to change the filter (and then install it again).
i have 2 15ft rolls of the insulated pipe wrap that i'll just cover the filter and sensor with. when its time to change the filter, i'll just put some new wrap on. much easier

SVXRide · #10 11-19-2002, 10:39 AM

Alan,
Sounds like a plan...will the pipe wrap stand up to moisture and all the assorted junk that bounces up from the road? Is it your basic Home Depot/Lowes wrap?
-B

cbx-man · #11 11-19-2002, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Landshark

...i would have to cut and bend some sheetmetal, install it, and then un-install it every time i want to change the filter (and then install it again).

My thoughts would be to make the heat shield go over the top of the filter then down between it and the heat source and leave the bottom "open" for ease in filter changes...

Landshark · #12 11-19-2002, 11:44 AM

it is a dense closed-cell adhesive foam with an aluminum backing, so it should be fine. its still there after the "quickie" job i did a week or so ago, with a lot of driving this week. i'll get under there sometime soon and do a better job - i just kinda slapped it on there from above. its pretty much above the undertray, so its not going to see alot of stuff flying at it. i got the stuff at Ace Hardware, but Home Depot/Lowes should have something that can be used.

SVXRide · #13 11-19-2002, 12:13 PM

Alan,
Thanks. Did you just use the existing lines when you bolted in the permacool unit?
-B

Landshark · #14 11-19-2002, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SVXRide
Alan,
Thanks. Did you just use the existing lines when you bolted in the permacool unit?
-B

i bypassed the radiator cooler and used an aftermarket cooler. i think i trimmed one of the stock lines, and used some of the line that came with the filter (or cooler, i forget.)

cbx-man · #15 07-01-2003, 05:33 PM

Well, I finally constructed and installed my transmition filter heat shield and it managed to lower the temp 15-30 degrees. Now it rarely goes above 180 in the city instead of the 195+++. Also, using the A/C helps to keep the tranny temps lower ( radiator fans always running )