Tranny cooler??

Alright I'm getting close to where I need to figure out if I am going to run a trans cooler or just use the ports in the radiator for it? I have an aw4 in a buggy and not a whole lot of room in the rear to mount a cooler but could maybe squeeze it in there. My question is would it be better to get a separate cooler or just go into radiator ports and use it? The radiator does have a 16" 2400cfm fan on it already. Thoughts??

I personally don't care for using a transmission cooler inside a radiator. If you get even a small crack between the two you can get coolant in your transmission. Transmissions clutches do not like any thing but oil.
If they are separate it can never be a problem.

Re: Re: Tranny cooler??

I prefer my trans fluid not be in the same cooler next to 200+degree water.. like mentioned if it ever cracks your trans is done

Didn't think of it that way. Thanks guys makes another part on the list to buy. Just when I thought that list was shrinking

I bought a Derale dual circuit cooler for mine that ill be using for tranny and steering.


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Mine is separated and I put computer fans on it for extra measure. :afro:

I was always under the impression that if it's with the radiator. Its actually preheating the fluid

dodgecrawler2011 said:

I was always under the impression that if it's with the radiator. Its actually preheating the fluid

Click to expand...

not really,

the trans cooler is in the bottom of the radiator, where the cool fluid is.

Remember, the coolant coming OUT of the motor is 180-220 degrees. At the bottom of the radiator it's more like 130-150.

RustyC said:

I personally don't care for using a transmission cooler inside a radiator. If you get even a small crack between the two you can get coolant in your transmission. Transmissions clutches do not like any thing but oil.
If they are separate it can never be a problem.

Click to expand...

Nissan Xterra, happens all the time. Alot of rebuilt transmissions come with an external cooler to avoid this as well.

With all the bouncing, jarring, vibrations that come with trail riding it would be much easier for an internal cooler to break loose than on a dd pavement pounder.

So as far as the cracking and fluid mixing theory goes, does that apply to a performance radiator like a griffin or be-cool with trans cooler built in as well?

Probably not if they are designed properly, the plastic Chinese crap in a normal radiator, well it makes excellent scrap.

dodgecrawler2011 said:

I was always under the impression that if it's with the radiator. Its actually preheating the fluid

Click to expand...

Its the opposite.

I use my radiator output to cool my tranny before it goes back into the motor, via a Ron Davis Heat Exchanger. No other tranny coolers. Tranny runs the same temps as the motor 200-230 depending on the beating.

I use a cooler with a fan in clean air and a heat exchanger on mine. It rarely sees temps over 160 when the engine is at 190. I like a cool transmission

How much are those heat exchangers?

I run a derale stacked plate cooler with elec fan, and a heatsink about 20" long and my th400 seems to be running hot like in the 210-220 range all the time

Neal3000 said:

How much are those heat exchangers?

I run a derale stacked plate cooler with elec fan, and a heatsink about 20" long and my th400 seems to be running hot like in the 210-220 range all the time

Click to expand...

They are stupid money IMO. My only reason bringing it up was the uninformed/incorrect information at the top of the thread.

Trophy truck bling

Neal3000 said:

How much are those heat exchangers?

I run a derale stacked plate cooler with elec fan, and a heatsink about 20" long and my th400 seems to be running hot like in the 210-220 range all the time

Click to expand...

Where do you have the sender for the trans at? Before or after the cooler? The fluid coming out will be hot. There is no getting around that. You are trying to prevent hot fluid being sent back to the tranny. I am also running a Derale cooler as the stand alone cooler. Does not go to the radiator.

http://m.summitracing.com/parts/der-13760] [url]http://m.summitracing.com/parts/der-13760 [/url]

It does a great job on a C-6 with a 2600 stall converter on a heavy ass rig. I have not seen it over 190. If it isn't already put the sender on the return side and see what the temps are.