Going with alum. radiator, need tranny cooler. Help.

[OBL1V1ON]

I will soon be switching out for an aluminum radiator. It wont have a tranny cooler in it like the stock on does. Does anyone out there have some experience with tranny cooler. I guess i would just like to know which ones work best and the best mounting place.

 

[MaineShark]

I did the same thing, and went with a B&M cooler. It's the largest of the regular tranny coolers (11x6x1.5"), and includes a bypass to let the fluid go straight through when it's cold (to avoid over-cooling).

The cooler barely fit (but it did fit) in the nose, behind the right-side turn signal/parking light. That location should allow it to get a good draft of air, through that grill and through the vent under the nose.

My computer is giving me some trouble, but I hope I can get some pics transferred from my camera, and I'll be able to post some shots of the cooler.

Something you might also consider, while you're at it, is installing a remote filter. Perma-Cool makes a nice unit which includes a temperature gauge sending port (you can order it with or without the gauge, depending on your preferrence, but the port is still there for future use, even if you don't get it with the gauge). I installed mine horizontally under the lower radiator support. I'll have some pics of that, too, when I get this computer thing straightened out.

If anything isn't clear, ask some questions

Joe

 

[OBL1V1ON]

Wow! sounds like you have this thing all figured out. Ill probably follow your advice. And those pics would be a very big help. thnx.

 

[MaineShark]

It was a "trial and error" process.

The only noticable modification I had to make, was to put spacers behind the grill to push it 1/2" forward, to let the lightbulb socket clear the fitting on the cooler. That puts the grill flush with the nose, instead of inset, but I doubt anyone but an NCRS judge would notice (or care, anyway).

Joe

 

[OBL1V1ON]

Sounds good. Ive done a lot of trial and error mods before. So benefiting from your prior knowledge is nice.

 

[cruisin-davey-g]

I will soon be switching out for an aluminum radiator. It wont have a tranny cooler in it like the stock on does. Does anyone out there have some experience with tranny cooler. I guess i would just like to know which ones work best and the best mounting place.

Hey "Obl1v1on": I've got a radiator without trans cooler, too. You really don't have to have a really big cooler to cool you trans, just have to have it in a good location so it can cool right. I put one in right in front of the condenser. Mine's rated for 4500 lbs. gross vehicle weight, which is plenty. It's not real big, so it fits perfectly in front of the radiator & condenser & I'm still able to open the hood up without the front point of the hood hitting it. I got my cooler at a regular auto parts store. Before I put the cooler on, when I had my stock radiator that had a trans cooler hook up, my TH400 was running at about 200 to 210 degrees, so I figured that the cooler part of the radiator was blocked & not cooling the trannie, so I changed the radiator & put on the trans cooler. Now my TH400 runs about 120 to 130 degrees, even on a hot day & in a parade. TH400's tend to run hotter that TH350's anyway. Also, having a tall gear in the rear will add heat to the trans as well, so keep that in mind. One thing I would do is put a in line filter of some kind in the cooler line to keep the fluid clean. Helps out the filter screen inside of the trans. This is my experience with thans coolers. If you've god a good hi-po motor, work done to the trans, a different size convertor, & a tall gear in the rear, then a goos trans cooler is a must, in my book. Take care & good luck with your 'vette.

Peace: Dave

 

[OBL1V1ON]

thnx for the help guys. This all helps a lot.

 

[cruisin-davey-g]

thnx for the help guys. This all helps a lot.

What kinda aluminum radiator do you have?

 

[clar2001]

http://www.dewitts.com/pages/productdetail.asp?ProdID=249 best investment I ever made

 

[cruisin-davey-g]

http://www.dewitts.com/pages/productdetail.asp?ProdID=249 best investment I ever made

Nice set-up...........but way too pricey for me. I've got a guy here local, that will build me an aluminum "cross-flow" 3/4" tubed radiator for under 250 bucks. I met 'em at at swap meet & he was selling his radiators like hot cakes. His radiators are universal type & He usually caters to the "Street Rodders", but said if I brought him my stock radiator, he could make one of his fit. Then all I'd have to do is add the twin fan set-up, if wanted & I've got the same set up. Also, because he's local, if anything goes wrong with the radiator, I can deal with him in person & he stands behind his merchandise. also, his radiators do not have an internal trans cooler, so you'd need a aux. trans cooler, which is better, as far as I'm concerned. But, none the less.......that radiator & fan set-up is real nice & I'm sure of good quality.

Peace: Dave

 

[BlackNBlue95]

I would reccomend Hayden Trans coolers.. there the best.. you can get a really good deal from www.bulkpart.com they stock all types of trans parts wholesale.. and that is where I buy all my coolers from.. good prices..
-Rick

 

[cruisin-davey-g]

I would reccomend Hayden Trans coolers.. there the best.. you can get a really good deal from www.bulkpart.com they stock all types of trans parts wholesale.. and that is where I buy all my coolers from.. good prices..
-Rick

Rick: You're right......Good prices! Hey, I was in Downers Grove not too long ago. The first part of August, to be exact. BTW: Ever heard of a place called UTI in Glendale Heights?

Dave

 

[cruisin-davey-g]

Nice set-up...........but way too pricey for me. I've got a guy here local, that will build me an aluminum "cross-flow" 3/4" tubed radiator for under 250 bucks. I met 'em at at swap meet & he was selling his radiators like hot cakes. His radiators are universal type & He usually caters to the "Street Rodders", but said if I brought him my stock radiator, he could make one of his fit. Then all I'd have to do is add the twin fan set-up, if wanted & I've got the same set up. Also, because he's local, if anything goes wrong with the radiator, I can deal with him in person & he stands behind his merchandise. also, his radiators do not have an internal trans cooler, so you'd need a aux. trans cooler, which is better, as far as I'm concerned. But, none the less.......that radiator & fan set-up is real nice & I'm sure of good quality.

Peace: Dave

Whoops..............I meant, 1" or 1 1/4" cross flow radiator. The 3/4" is for the trans cooler.

Peace: Dave

 

[BlackNBlue95]

Rick: You're right......Good prices! Hey, I was in Downers Grove not too long ago. The first part of August, to be exact. BTW: Ever heard of a place called UTI in Glendale Heights?

Dave

Yup I have.. I went to college of dupage though... thats where I got my auto service certificate.. (not the ASE that was seperate), where are you from Dave IL?
-Rick

 

[cruisin-davey-g]

Rick: No, actually I'm from Detroit area. My son was thinking about going to UTI & we've been out that way to check it out & things. We even were looking at apartments in the Downers Grove area back in August.

We also come out your way to the Chevy/Vette Fest at the McCormick Center in Nov. & again in March. Like to go to shows where everybody doesn't know us. & it's nice to see different cars & things. I'm also going there to look for som 2001 Corvette seats. Know anybody selling a pair?

BTW: there's a real big swap meet in South Bend tomorrow (Sunday) that we may go to. Know anything about it?


Dave

 

[BlackNBlue95]

Rick: No, actually I'm from Detroit area. My son was thinking about going to UTI & we've been out that way to check it out & things. We even were looking at apartments in the Downers Grove area back in August.

We also come out your way to the Chevy/Vette Fest at the McCormick Center in Nov. & again in March. Like to go to shows where everybody doesn't know us. & it's nice to see different cars & things. I'm also going there to look for som 2001 Corvette seats. Know anybody selling a pair?

BTW: there's a real big swap meet in South Bend tomorrow (Sunday) that we may go to. Know anything about it?


Dave

Cool, No I didn't hear anything about the swap meet. But I will be busy tomarrow detailing the vette for next weekends hooters gathering in downers.

 

[cruisin-davey-g]

Cool, No I didn't hear anything about the swap meet. But I will be busy tomarrow detailing the vette for next weekends hooters gathering in downers.

Rick: Yeah. We have car shows & cruise ins at the local "Hooters" here.

Here's the info for the swap meet & car show tomorrow in South Bend:


http://www.cpishows.com/pdf files/fairgrounds.pdf



Peace: Dave