External transmission cooler location

[MaineShark]

Alright, I've decided to go with an external transmission cooler. It's $200-250 cheaper than the stock in-radiator cooler, and I think separating the two systems is a good idea (so the tranny doesn't add heat to the engine coolant, and the engine doesn't heat up the tranny).

I think the B&M 11"x6"x1.5" unit should do the job. I think that will be easier to find a place for than the 11x7.5x.75 unit. Does that seem like a good choice for a standalone tranny cooler?

While I'm re-doing the system anyway, I'm going to add a filter (cheap insurance - $30) and a temp guage (so I'll know if it's cooling right).

Now, where do I stick the thing? We're kind of tight on space in these cars.

I have A/C, so directly in front of the radiator is out.

I guess somewhere forward of that, under the bumper. I could put it directly in front of the hood opening (behind the bar that goes vertically from the frame to the nose), but that puts it awful close to the vacuum system that operates the headlights, and I don't know if that will damage the hoses and other hardware. I could put it down on top of the vents that bring air in for the radiator, but that puts it close to the ground, at risk from rocks and debris.

Any other ideas?

I'd also like to add an oil cooler (or I may need to add a second tranny cooler, if this one isn't sufficient), so if there's a second good mounting place, that would help too.

I guess I could just buy it, and then try and find a place for it...

Joe

 

[SwaveDave]

Joe, I would install it on an angle directly in back of the middle nose grille for maximum airflow.

 

[yakatak76]

permacool has a frame mounted tranny cooler i believe the website is www.permacool.com. i was thinking of doing that on mine.

 

[MaineShark]

I think I need to get some cardboard, and make a box the size of the cooler, then see where it will fit well.

yakatak: I looked at that, but I don't think it is enough to serve as a standalone cooler (ie, without also having the in-radiator cooler).

Joe

 

[Big Fish]

There is adequate space between the condenser coil and the radiator for the coil-type cooler. I would recommend you pipe it from the outlet of the existing cooler then back to the transmission. The frame mounted ones will easily fit above the valence panel.

 

[MaineShark]

:duh

Man, I never even thought about that. 1-3/4" between them. Plenty of room for a 1-1/2"-thick cooler (plate or coil).

I already ordered the B&M cooler, so we'll see how that fits...

Joe

 

[bmalibu2809]

I mounted mine behind the AC condenser coil and mounted it on the front of the radiator on the 82. What a PITA it was to get this installed though as my hands got pretty cut up. It was I think a 15 x 7 1/2 x 1/2 aluminum finned cooler.

You really cant install it on the front of the AC coil as when you raise the hood, you would end up hitting this cooler and doing a serious number on your hood

I installed the hoses onto the unit and then carefully positioned it between the AC and Rad. Getting the mounting plastic ties through was a chore but I got it done and it works beautiful. Make sure to use the little rubber like spacers.

Piping it was easy too as I just removed the 4 inch hose at the outlet of the rad to return line and installed my new hoses onto these 2 lines. It could be easier than that. I used a light bulb to heat up the hose so it would go on easier. I would have used a hair dryer but the wifey would not be too cool with me having her blow dryer under the car.

You have to add about a quart of tranny fluid to bring it up to the correct level due to the extra cooler capacity.

Brent...

 

[MaineShark]

Since I'm installing a new radiator at the same time, it should be a little easier

And, since I'm using electric fans, I may modify the radiator mounts a tiny bit to hang the radiator 1/8" or 1/4" farther back, to give more room between rad and the condenser.

Joe