Transmission cooler

JLHollowX13 · #1 05-04-2008, 12:49 AM

so ive been looking at transmission coolers at the auto parts store, online, etc. and i didnt realize how hard it is to shop for one of these. what do i need to be looking for? autozone has one for $30, will it work? do i need a big one, small one, im just not even sure what i should get. i want something that will do the job, but at the same time cost effective. although a tranny cooler could save me from expensive transmission problems.

also, what else will i need to install one? will i need any hoses or is everything supplied/already on the car? i want to get one soon but i just dont know what i should be getting. thanks for any help!

YourConfused · #2 05-04-2008, 12:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JLHollowX13

so ive been looking at transmission coolers at the auto parts store, online, etc. and i didnt realize how hard it is to shop for one of these. what do i need to be looking for? autozone has one for $30, will it work? do i need a big one, small one, im just not even sure what i should get. i want something that will do the job, but at the same time cost effective. although a tranny cooler could save me from expensive transmission problems.

also, what else will i need to install one? will i need any hoses or is everything supplied/already on the car? i want to get one soon but i just dont know what i should be getting. thanks for any help!

I bought this one and I think others have something similar, do a search.

B&M

JLHollowX13 · #3 05-04-2008, 01:01 AM

that doesnt seem like a bad price at all. i may be going with that one unless someone has a better one. does it come with everything needed to install it? and where does everyone put the cooler at in the engine bay? what is the best location?

YourConfused · #4 05-04-2008, 01:18 AM

it's a kit, barbs, clamps, mounts, hoses, even instructions.

JLHollowX13 · #5 05-04-2008, 01:32 AM

sweet, well it looks like i found the match! that seems like a great deal. the $30 was VERY light duty, and didnt come with anything i dont think. this one looks like its exactly what im looking for!

YourConfused · #6 05-04-2008, 01:44 AM

Just so you know that is not the best cooler (it is good though) or the best location on the car. It is about a 1/4 of the price of the ideal cooler though and the location allows air from both fans to cool it should one go out on you. I did it this was to be cost effective and safe at the same time.

If you have money to spend get a cooler with its own fan and mount it is the drivers fender well just behind the lights. there is plenty of room and it would cool the best, but is allot more expensive. Oh and since you live in Co It would be best if you bought one of those thermostat switches that only sends fluid to the cooler when the fluid is warm enough. I live in TX, so that is not really a issue for me.

svxistentialist · #7 05-11-2008, 02:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YourConfused

I bought this one and I think others have something similar, do a search.

B&M

That's the same one I use, and I bought from Jegs as well.

Good value. I particularly like the feature that when the oil is cold and viscous it bypasses the galleys and goes back to the transmission. This allows the oil to heat up quickly to operating temperatures.

If there is a negative about using this cooler in this configuration it would be that it gives the aircon rad more work to do on hot days, by proximity.

I still think it's the best job though, a neat solution.

Joe

processengr · #8 05-26-2008, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by svxistentialist

That's the same one I use, and I bought from Jegs as well.

Good value. I particularly like the feature that when the oil is cold and viscous it bypasses the galleys and goes back to the transmission. This allows the oil to heat up quickly to operating temperatures.

If there is a negative about using this cooler in this configuration it would be that it gives the aircon rad more work to do on hot days, by proximity.

I still think it's the best job though, a neat solution.

Joe

This type of cooler would seem ideal for winter use as it doesn't require the t-stat.

JLHollowX13 · #9 05-27-2008, 01:00 AM

thats the one i just ordered today. its on its way. but yourconfused said that i should get a thermostat for winter, so where did you see that it comes with one? i think he was talking about the thermostat bypassing things, not the actually cooler. is that right?

JLHollowX13 · #10 05-29-2008, 08:31 PM

i got the cooler in the mail today. ill be putting it on tomorrow, we will see how everything goes!!

YourConfused · #11 05-29-2008, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by processengr

This type of cooler would seem ideal for winter use as it doesn't require the t-stat.

what planet do you live on?

edit: not an attack, but what are you talking about? Really. Do you have any idea? Again, not trying to be mean here.

JLHollowX13 · #12 06-01-2008, 04:39 PM

well, i got the cooler in on thursday, put it on friday. it took me so long to decide where to put it, finally i decide to go with a more stealthy location between the ac condensor and the radiator. fits VERY nicely in there.

when i first started hooking it up i made a HUGE mistake and hooked it up to the power steering. on the diagrams on subaruparts it looked like that was the right one, but it wasnt obviously. if the p/s didnt use tranny fluid i would have caught it, but since its the same i didnt think twice. finally i got it hooked up right, and everything went smooth until yesterday. i drove my family into town and i was squirting trans fluid EVERYWHERE!!! i was so mad, i knew it was coming from the front, so it was the actual trans. i took everything apart again and just tightened everything up. the problem is now solved!

after an oil change today, and new brake pads tomorrow, ill only have a couple more things on my to-do list!!

processengr · #13 05-25-2009, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YourConfused

what planet do you live on?

edit: not an attack, but what are you talking about? Really. Do you have any idea? Again, not trying to be mean here.

Well, Planet earth, AFAIK.. read this, about the B&M cooler you are recommending. This technology of orifice vs. viscosity is not new...

This is a brand new in the box B&M #70268 Automatic Transmission Fluid Cooler.

B32-70268

B&M SuperCoolers are 100% aluminum construction and use stamped plates sandwiched together to create one of the most efficient oil cooling devices available. Not only does this unique design provide for maximized cooling through more efficient heat dissipation but it also provides a much sturdier cooler which is practically impervious to flying rocks or other debris. The Super-Coolers intended for automatic transmission fluid also offer an additional feature known as Low Pressure Drop (LPD). The coolers assembled with hose barb ends include a unique bypass feature allowing a controlled amount of ATF to bypass the stacked plate core when the fluid is cold. This is beneficial in cold climate areas to guard against lube system failure. Controlled by viscosity, fluid is returned directly to the lube circuit through bypass openings in the stacked plate core. As the temperature increases, more ATF is directed through the core. This highly efficient design combines improved protection against lube system failure with the required levels of optimal heat transfer.

the smallest size & lightest weight cooler relative to cooling capacity you can buy.
Better cooling than ordinary fin & tube coolers.
Rigid stacked plate design resistant to damage from flying rocks or other debris.
Pressure tested to 200 PSI.
Low Pressure Drop (LPD) feature included on #70255, #70264 and #70268
Includes installation kit.
70268 - SuperCooler rated at 13,000 BTU 11"x7-1/2"x3/4"

JLHollowX13 · #14 05-26-2008, 09:31 AM

i just ordered my cooler with some graduation money i got. i didnt order the thermostat yet since its summer and it probably wont matter, i will definitely get one on before winter though (especially since im moving to the coldest place in CO!!!) i just didnt want to spend the extra 60 watever dollars for something i dont need right now. that money will go to some good ngk plugs i think. i have a huge shopping list for the svx, i better get started with it!

BeneathNorthernSkys · #15 05-26-2008, 11:35 AM

I too am on the quest for a tranny cooler, as I just had my transmission rebuilt I want to prevent that from being a second time around. So far what I'm hearing is the B&M cooler is the best, plus b/c it gets Really hot in the summer here, and then really cold in winter I'd want a thermostat? and how hard is this stuff to hook up? I've never done anything really without help on my car, so I get nervous about tinkering with things I don't understand.