Installation of Transmission Cooler

[elemgee]

It looks like the best place to install the transmission cooler is in front of the a/c condensor, which requires that I remove that center section light cluster right above the front bumper. Anyone know how I do that? And does it matter which transmission line going to the radiator I use to connect to the cooler (and then have the return line from the cooler going to the radiator? Thanks.

Larry

[NiftySVX]

That's not actually the best place, and a transmission cooler isn't going to help the life of the transmission, and may even hurt it if the flow is too low. If you want to make an improvement then see my thread here.

http://www.subaru-svx.net/forum/show...mission+cooler

Other than that, don't waste your time.

[elemgee]

The instructions for the B&M cooler I bought state that the most effective cooling is achieved by placing the cooler in front of the a/c condenser. That's where I placed the one on my 96 SVX (dont remember how I removed the center light section for the install, ergo my question) and I never had any transmission problems in 120K miles. I didn't have a cooler in my 92 SVX from many years ago, and had to replace the transmission at around 60K miles. So my experience, as limited as it may be, indicates the a cooler in front of the a/c condenser is the way to go. I'd appreciate hearing from others regarding their experience, but would also like to hear how to remove the center light section should I decide to install in front of the a/c condenser. Thanks.

Larry

[NiftySVX]

Pop the two clips on either side by moving their tabs in and pull it outwards. The false light style has two on either side near the top. pull the top away and then lift up. It comes out easily once the clips are disengaged, or they break.

The transmission between a 96 model year and 92 model year is vastly different, many many changes.

[Sean486]

For what it is worth, the one on my current SVX and the one on my previous SVX were both put in behind the ac condensor. I don't know if it is the best location or not, but it seems like the most common.

[benebob]

Don't listen to nifty as he's just plain wrong as to locating a cooler. There are plenty of places to put a cooler depending on driving conditions, climate and driving styles. The key is you want the tranny to warm up to normal operating temps quickly and then stay around 140-180 degrees in normal usage. The only way to know if you need one is if you have a gauge in the tranny. The only way to know what your temps are with it and if the location is suitable is to well, have a gauge in the tranny. The only way to know when you've started to kill your fluid is to trust that gauge you installed. Without one you'll be in the dark regarding your tranny.

For the record. I installed my B&M cooler in between my rad and condensor in a series with the radiator 10 years ago Sender was put into the pan. Over the years highest temp ever seen was 210 (very hot day stuck in traffic for hours in NYC) but normally it would run around 75-100 degrees above outside temps. Sure I could get it up to 200+ easy with very spirited driving but that was when it was 85-90 degrees out to begin with.

[elemgee]

By far the easiest place to put it is between the condenser and the radiator. There simply isnt enough room to slip it in front of the condenser without ruining the condenser.

Does it matter which transmission hose is removed from the radiator and connected to the cooler (with the other line going from the cooler back to the radiator hose fitting)?

[92 SVX]

Originally Posted by elemgee

By far the easiest place to put it is between the condenser and the radiator. There simply isnt enough room to slip it in front of the condenser without ruining the condenser.

Does it matter which transmission hose is removed from the radiator and connected to the cooler (with the other line going from the cooler back to the radiator hose fitting)?

I guess it depends on how cold your climate gets in winter?
for cold weather area's I seen its better to go from trans-to ext cooler- to rad- back to trans. That way the fluid coming in is warmed by the coolant. the hard line closest to the engine is the out from the trans, the line closer to the drivers tire is the into the trans.

[NiftySVX]

I wouldn't follow my advice either. I'm just a simple mechanic. Not even a subaru one (anymore)

Lack of flow through the cooling circuit and low line are what kill the 4eat. I've seen it so many times. But at this stage in the game it doesn't really matter.

A cooler can be placed in front of the condenser quite easily if you remove the front bumper. I had mine this way for many years. Just be careful you don't rub a hole in the condenser.

Shoot for a target operational temp of 174f. This is what the unit was engineered to run at. The best way to do this is to use a thermostatically controlled fan.

[benebob]

Following your method my tranny wouldn't ever warm up the torque convertor in the winter during the driving conditions I was using it in at the time. Even with my method it took a solid 15 to 20 minutes. Any parts replacer I talked to even thought my method was too long and could bring adverse life to the car. There is more than 1 method for skinning a cat. The key is you need to know what your tranny temp is, otherwise it is all a waste of money.

Originally Posted by NiftySVX

I wouldn't follow my advice either. I'm just a simple mechanic. Not even a subaru one (anymore)

Lack of flow through the cooling circuit and low line are what kill the 4eat. I've seen it so many times. But at this stage in the game it doesn't really matter.

A cooler can be placed in front of the condenser quite easily if you remove the front bumper. I had mine this way for many years. Just be careful you don't rub a hole in the condenser.

Shoot for a target operational temp of 174f. This is what the unit was engineered to run at. The best way to do this is to use a thermostatically controlled fan.

[immortal_suby]

I had a B&M stacked plate in front of the condenser for many years. I got it in there simply by removing the radiator top mounts and tilting the radiator and condenser back just enough to get room to slip it in there.

[SuberNatural]

I put mine in front of the AC cond. without any issues with install damage.

[NiftySVX]

Without going into specifics that are outside the scope of this thread I will make a few additional comments to alleviate my boredom.

The 4eat in the SVX doesn't overheat the fluid system as a whole. It has specific issues with lubrication and circulation, which have been discussed, witnessed, and analyzed by myself and others to try and offer a fix since subaru didn't do it until the major revision to the unit in 1998.

ADDING A COOLER THAT FLOWS TOO LITTLE FLUID IS THE WORST THING YOU CAN DO. DON'T DO IT. The stock setup is very restrictive, especially on 92s with the additional screen in the radiator. If you don't know how much is enough, then i suggest you blow through your new cooler and see how restrictive it is. If you feel any backpressure, imagine what it is going to be like with at least a gallon of ATF per minute needing to flow thru there.

A cooler mounted in the fenderwell will not heat the fluid, nor will a cooler mounted anywhere unless it is in contact with air or water that is above that of the fluid inside.

A cooler mounted in front of the condenser receives the most direct airflow as it is obviously the first thing to accomplish heat transfer.

A cooler mounted inbetween the radiator and condenser will achieve less cooling efficiency because it has another cooler in front of it.

A cooler mounted in the fenderwell receives little direct air and will allow the fluid come to temperature more rapidly than EITHER of the other two options. It will also not cool as effectively. For this reason ducting or a Bernoulli effect promoting design is required, and a cooling fan provides further temperature stabilization.

It is the superior placement for a cooler, and allows for a proper, high flow cooler to be installed that will promote rapid circulation through the circuit, which is the best thing you can do for this trans.

Fin.