Trans Coolers

[V8 Calais]

Hey guys,

Want some advice on a trans-cooler, looking at one with a fan on it to help keep the box extra cool, would it still be ok to mount it infront of the radiator with the fan on it or does that kind of defeat the purpose? Where else could it be mounted?

Its for a fully manualized auto with a big stall so im assuming its going to get hot doing street duties!

I remember reading Pete - CalaisRider used 2 coolers, is this fine to do as in won't effect the box at all having to pump thru all that? Its not a cheap box so don't want to stuff it lol...

Cheers.

[stealthvn/mr vr ss]

i have a big pwr trans cooler on mine goes from auto to radiator to trans cooler back to trans standard it was running at low to mid 90deg with no converter and no trans cooler now with 4000rpm converter and trans cooler is running around low to mid 80 deg (sometimes high 70) , idea is you dont want it too cold (esp in winter) but not too hot apparently mid 80's is great

[EQUIPE-T]

having a fan on it doesnt defeat the purpose, when doing burnouts, gymkarna's and stuff like that theres hardly any car movement for a proper amount of airflow, the fan takes up the slack then, just make sure its blowing the right way :p

[CalaisRider]

Hey guys,

Want some advice on a trans-cooler, looking at one with a fan on it to help keep the box extra cool, would it still be ok to mount it infront of the radiator with the fan on it or does that kind of defeat the purpose? Where else could it be mounted?

Its for a fully manualized auto with a big stall so im assuming its going to get hot doing street duties!

I remember reading Pete - CalaisRider used 2 coolers, is this fine to do as in won't effect the box at all having to pump thru all that? Its not a cheap box so don't want to stuff it lol...

Cheers.

Go the fan mount mate. I have my third in line TRANS cooler mounted in the left front left guard space with its own dedicated fan. I can turn the fan on and off manually. ATM I leave the fan off for daily drive and most situations; but when I hit the circuit/strip or motorkhana I connect the fan clip. I also have a Power Steer Cooler in front of the radiator.

Its a personal preference I think. I blew the begeeserie out of my original A6 at 40,000 kilometres. Since the multiple trans and power steer coolers added the current A6 has lasted 80,000 kilometres of similar tough driving (120,000k now on the clock). I hope it lasts a whilse longer too (I now completely driain and flush every 20,000k). Problem with a bucketload of coolers and piping is the increase to "tripple" the stock capacity of trans fluid requirement - this means I need 12 litres of Dextron Six rather than the original 4 litres to do a full service.

I used to run 90 degrees on highway but with the fan on that drops back to about 55 degrees. On the circuit the auto was in meltdown 110 degrees plus (using onboard computer monitoring of trans temp), nowdays with the fan I rarely get to 80 degrees on the circuit or skidpan.

PS
I only write this as I don't know about "overcooling". It may be that mine "is" too much. Hence why I only connect the fan when on the circuit or competition. I'm happy to hear from others learnings and knowledge on the matter of over-cooling an A6. :) :)

Pete

[pvk308]

mate your car and mine arent far apart im running a 4800 stall with a standrd derale truck cooler and it does the job fine mate plus im running the transbrake as well fans etc are great but hey theres pro and cons there your looking for a temp around the 80 mark any hotter and dexron 3 thins out and loses its lubricating abilty plus you lose thye shift quality etc and any cooler and its like trying to shift sludge through a hole you will break parts just drop the oil out of the box after every big race event and probably every 6mths thats what i do and i havent had a drama

[V8 Calais]

Thanks everyone for your opinions, great to see all the knowledgable advice coming out here!

Thanks Pete for your info very handy to know, as for power steering, I don't have that so not required lol

Ok so a few more questions lol Which brand of coolers do you use pete and do you run inline filters or not really required?

Your right stephen our setups are similar, ok so say I do go the fan route with 1 big cooler. Should I put the cooler infront of the radiator? So it would go
Trans Cooler > Trans Fan > Radiator > Rad Fan?

My electric water pump and thermo fans are already on a switch so was thinking id just put the transmission fan on a switch too as Pete said turn it on or off if i happen to need it. I'm always watching my gauges so I will be getting a trans-temp gauge and warning light also to keep an eye on it all!.

Just to clarify thats 80 celcius so about 180 degrees fahrenheit same as the engine roughly

Thanks all :).

[pvk308]

rule number one BYPASS THE RADIATOR dont go through the radiator at all have it as a seperate unit it will not harm the gearbox plus itwill drop your engine temps if you do plus extends the life of the dexron 3 becuase its it not saying hot going back to the box if you run the fan run it on the back side of the cooler so it draws the air though the cooler what thermos are on it now and 80 is roughly 180

[EQUIPE-T]

all ya have to remember is all fans suck into the engine bay, any that dont would be useless ( if put at the front of the car ) i heard a rumor in the mill that PWR are doing a duel core trans cooler with engine oil combined in the same unit to reduce the amount of coolers needed, might be abit pricey but might be worth it if space is an issue, just keep an eye out for it

[V8 Calais]

I agree with you there mate, I've never bothered running any of my trans coolers via the radiator first as you said I believe it just makes the water temp higher.

It just has 1 big thermo that covers almost the entire radiator, seems to work well in combination with the electric water pump but yeah unsure how it'll go on the street so I will just see.

As for mounting of the trans cooler im looking at other locations but unsure where would work best. I've used those inline hotrod style coolers before but don't think they work that great personally.

Yeah ya right pete no point having the fan blowing out defeats the purpose.

[pvk308]

you would probably get a better result from running twin ford mondeo or el-ef thermo fans both suck a truck load of air the modeo one being better especially if it has one large fan and your looking at street use

[CalaisRider]

I use PWR coolers. No in line filters.

I went through the radiator as well, but only cause it was easy to do. In hindsight going full external of the radiator would be the best option as Engine/Radiator and Trans would be operating independant of each other and probably better cooling for both.

[stealthvn/mr vr ss]

rule number one BYPASS THE RADIATOR dont go through the radiator at all have it as a seperate unit it will not harm the gearbox plus itwill drop your engine temps if you do plus extends the life of the dexron 3 becuase its it not saying hot going back to the box if you run the fan run it on the back side of the cooler so it draws the air though the cooler what thermos are on it now and 80 is roughly 180

i got told by a trans fella that doing that in cold climates will harm the trans by keeping the oil way too thick? i was advised my many to run trans to radiator to cooler back to trans with the converter im running at 80deg

[V8 Calais]

I guess I will find out. Going to be ordering a new oil pan and getting it tapped with a threads so I can hook up a trans temp gauge and trans warning light, Ill know exactly whats going on then.

[stealthvn/mr vr ss]

i know my old ss was just from trans to cooler and back, but heaps of people said with the clubby dont so dunno

[pvk308]

i got told by a trans fella that doing that in cold climates will harm the trans by keeping the oil way too thick? i was advised my many to run trans to radiator to cooler back to trans with the converter im running at 80deg

Alot will depened on the size of the cooler if your running a truck cooler in cold climates then yep you will have dramas but if its smaller shouldnt be a problem................ sorry brad mate i should be more specific when making a statement like that as he is right but unless your getting frost or snow every day of the year shouldnt be that bad

[EQUIPE-T]

Alot will depened on the size of the cooler if your running a truck cooler in cold climates then yep you will have dramas but if its smaller shouldnt be a problem................ sorry brad mate i should be more specific when making a statement like that as he is right but unless your getting frost or snow every day of the year shouldnt be that bad

i have a mate thats a ranger over in alaska, his new work truck ( 2010 V8 silverado ) actually had to have transmission, engine oil, powersteering fluid warmers put in lol without them he it took 5 minutes at least to start it in the morning during winter but he couldnt go anywhere for at least 10 befor the trans fluid warmed up abit lol hole kit cost the company $5,800

[pvk308]

now warmers is serious stuff bugger that he can have the cold

[EQUIPE-T]

now warmers is serious stuff bugger that he can have the cold

tell me about it, ill be moving there soon :eek:

[pvk308]

just make sure you have a good blanket mate

[EQUIPE-T]

just make sure you have a good blanket mate

heated thermal underwear :D

[stealthvn/mr vr ss]

Alot will depened on the size of the cooler if your running a truck cooler in cold climates then yep you will have dramas but if its smaller shouldnt be a problem................ sorry brad mate i should be more specific when making a statement like that as he is right but unless your getting frost or snow every day of the year shouldnt be that bad

i hear ya mate. i have a large pwr one and just driving around town sits at 80 deg so would hate to see what it would be when driving to nsw in winter last time i drove down it was 2 deg outside and the engine temp gauge was on dead cold @110kph

[CalaisRider]

:)Hmmm,



Very interesting given my on board computer temp assessments. I suppose it comes down to a balance of actual Circuit work - Drags - Motorkhana - skidpan - versus the down town brags of humungo power just ticking over and that of a K Mart shoppin trolley with massive power car compared to being used hard for extended periods and getting friggen hot LOL.

Might I say that it is not so much that you give the car and drive train a 10-15 second workout on the 400 metre "strip" occasionally; but more when you push max limits for "extended" periods of time.

90% round town or highway stuff as the cars primary role then I wouldn't bother going extra coolers at all. :)

JMO

Pete

[V8 Calais]

The forum is a hive of activity now Ill have to start more threads lol...

Pete your right mate. Its definately not about bragging rights saying ive got the most coolers / biggest lol... For my application your right I won't need multiple coolers like yours, I will need a decent sized single one and aim to get one with a fan so that as you said depending on external weather conditions I can turn the fan on or off as required. (same as my engine thermo fan).

Events like powercruise will be a work out for it I believe. Strip shouldn't be a problem as you said but mainly concerned about those occasional street duties sitting in traffic also.

[stealthvn/mr vr ss]

have a look at the pwr ones im sure i seen a fan cooled one on their site and let them know your from bc and they will look after you

[pvk308]

better still if pwr will custom make you one like mine strati mate but in alloy would be ok i have beentold though the copper do a better job each to there own though

[V8 Calais]

^ Oh i like your thinking, I wouldn't mind alloy for the bling factor!

[EQUIPE-T]

^ Oh i like your thinking, I wouldn't mind alloy for the bling factor!

i dont beleive you just said that :p

[CalaisRider]

:headbang:

ALL HAIL THE "BLING".

Sheesh mine are totally burried, so not much bling factor for me LOL...

On a serious note. PWR have bare aluminum ones or painted/powder coated ones. My time over again and I would take the painted/powder coat ones every time. Despite what many advise and say - Aluminium "does" corrode badly when exposed directly to the weather elements.

[stealthvn/mr vr ss]

i have the alloy one still looks polished mught be because its in the opening of the clubby front bar

[pvk308]

i dont beleive you just said that :p



hehehehehehe i agree like the car needs any more bling it says farkin tough right now :headbang::headbang: from what i have seen

[V8 Calais]

Hehe and theres some more 'tuff' mods to come, can't wait :D. Only you have seen pics mate no one else on here, keeping it as a supprise hehe.

A few people have called it a 'weapon' now and I checked out PPQ but those plates are gone :( Want to find a set of plates that are similar but nothing prestige seems to be avaliable that hasn't already been taken or isn't a well known car in another state. Very hard

[Darren]

Hehe and theres some more 'tuff' mods to come, can't wait :D. Only you have seen pics mate no one else on here, keeping it as a supprise hehe.

A few people have called it a 'weapon' now and I checked out PPQ but those plates are gone :( Want to find a set of plates that are similar but nothing prestige seems to be avaliable that hasn't already been taken or isn't a well known car in another state. Very hard

well don't keep us waiting much longer, I reckon I've only got another 10 years or so before my eyesight starts declining ;)

so yeah pull the finger out, I want to see this beast!

[pvk308]

Hehe and theres some more 'tuff' mods to come, can't wait :D. Only you have seen pics mate no one else on here, keeping it as a supprise hehe.

A few people have called it a 'weapon' now and I checked out PPQ but those plates are gone :( Want to find a set of plates that are similar but nothing prestige seems to be avaliable that hasn't already been taken or isn't a well known car in another state. Very hard

just get the plates I GO U that says enough

[pvk308]

well don't keep us waiting much longer, I reckon I've only got another 10 years or so before my eyesight starts declining ;)

so yeah pull the finger out, I want to see this beast!

mate its nice trust me

[CalaisRider]

well don't keep us waiting much longer, I reckon I've only got another 10 years or so before my eyesight starts declining ;)

so yeah pull the finger out, I want to see this beast!

:):):):):)

Darren ya better get that "eye sight" sorted for our next Circuit Day with the Ford folk. Blind nor Old Age is an excuse LOL.

Been way too long since we have played car stuff together....

Pete

.

[stealthvn/mr vr ss]

I was going to buy them a while ago

[OMR346]

I run Derale and that all i supply to customers. Ive used PWR in the past, and there good, but i find Derale has kept the box cooler for longer. Depending on the application though, would depend on what cooler you used.

As for plates, a mate of mine has A PSYCHO for sale if your interested.

[V8 Calais]

Ah yeah, a few people seem to use them. Send me some details on my email or msn pics and sizes with prices etc. I got some details from PWR on their ones with a fan. Price me the ones with -AN fittings. Need to find somewhere to mount the thing, was hoping to find a spot not infront of the radiator so that it can keep as cool as possible also, but then that doesn't leave many places

Nice plates but they don't appeal to me sorry.

[pvk308]

I run Derale and that all i supply to customers. Ive used PWR in the past, and there good, but i find Derale has kept the box cooler for longer. Depending on the application though, would depend on what cooler you used.

As for plates, a mate of mine has A PSYCHO for sale if your interested.

i use the same cooler mate 13204 the light truck cooler and damn its great i think i paid 150 for mine but thats from "let me put a 50% mark up on things Autobahn"

PSYCHO suits the car well indeed i still like I GO U though

[OMR346]

Strati, PM me (not MSN as i hardly use it these days) some part numbers of what your chasing and ill get you some prices.

Yea Steve, they are good. The $150 price tag isnt to bad though. They retail for well over $200 from Autobarn. The last one i sold was for $150 (plus postage) to a bloke from LS1 forum. I sold it at that price as it was my last one and i wanted to get rid of it before i order more stock (which i still havnt done haha)

[pvk308]

i agree mate i have an 8in race converter at 4800 stall and the transbrake it keeps the transmission relatively cool and the oil ok

[OMR346]

Ive only got 3500rpm stall. Its a Dominator so its nice and tight. I was planning to go up to 4500rpm though, but now decided to leave it how it is. Ive even thought about putting the car back to standard. That thought went pretty quick though haha.

Ill be running a big convertor in the HG (how big depends on what motor though). That is getting built for drag racing and for fun, so a high stalled Powerglide is going in with a short geared BW diff.

[V8 Calais]

2spd's suck on the street so be prepared for really slow highway cruises and unable to pull first and high speed lol.

Why bw? go a 9inch if your going that serious to have a powerglide in it. Altho saying that the old bw can be built strong as too

[OMR346]

Wont need a 9" mate. BW's set up right have been known to take the power ill be making. The aim is about 600hp (flywheel). If it makes more, thats a bonus. And the Glide wont be an issue, as it wont be driven all that often. It will be mainly for fun. 4000rpm on the highway doesnt bother me. Especially when i know what il be driving haha

[pvk308]

Dead on the money the mate omr346 in regards to the BW built right they are bloody tough plus if you want to just go 31 spline billet axles whch means you can go the higher ratios eg 4.3 or 4.5 you can get the axles made to suit the BW theres a guy on the north side that makes them and hes good its what i have done for the vk plus its all legal as its the housing it came out with hehehe sounds like a killer combo though

[OMR346]

Dead on the money the mate omr346 in regards to the BW built right they are bloody tough plus if you want to just go 31 spline billet axles whch means you can go the higher ratios eg 4.3 or 4.5 you can get the axles made to suit the BW theres a guy on the north side that makes them and hes good its what i have done for the vk plus its all legal as its the housing it came out with hehehe sounds like a killer combo though

Yea ill be going 31 splines for sure. Not sure on the gearing at this stage though.

Oh, Steve, you do know who this is, right? lol

[Darren]

Yea ill be going 31 splines for sure. Not sure on the gearing at this stage though.

Oh, Steve, you do know who this is, right? lol

he's probably better off not knowing :devil:

[pvk308]

i have re-read my post i havent gone that way yet but will be when i can, still trying to scrape the cash up for the stuff i need sorry about that my mind was else where at the time

ummmmm no but im taking a guess you own the company i have spoken to about the axles and centre for my car

[OMR346]

i have re-read my post i havent gone that way yet but will be when i can, still trying to scrape the cash up for the stuff i need sorry about that my mind was else where at the time

ummmmm no but im taking a guess you own the company i have spoken to about the axles and centre for my car

haha Nah mate, its Mick/Pumba

[pvk308]

ah now the licence plate clicks i remember you saying you had those plates or seeing them on the car good to see you here totally off topic theres a reply for you on AV8 mate

[OMR346]

Yea ive had them for about 18 months (i think lol) on my car now. Ill go check AV8 now mate