Tranny coolers

[Blanco]

Whos trans coolers do you racers prefer.

I was gonna run a B&M Trans cooler with a built on fan,Due to my very limited space.
But now that I'm gonna do away with the factory Core support out front I'll have lots more room for some of the Bigger Coolers

So what brand & models are you most found of? & why? :confused:
With all the Tranny problems I've been having since the '06 1000, I wanna do what I can to protech it.

[shaner17]

Im very interested to know as well, I got my Ron Davis radiator in the other week w/ a built in tranny cooler, but not sure if im going to need more than that to keep my freshly built c-6 shiftin smoothly.

[roach]

those radiators with the built-in oil coolers are VERY effecient. we use them on all the class 1 cars we build and man do they work. i have a C&R radiator with the same coolers built in and thats what is going in my bronco. BUT, i dont think that is enough, i would still add another cooler if you are going to race. coolers are worth every penny, dont go cheap. i am running a fluidyne for the motor and the same on the tranny.

[shaner17]

where are you running those extra fluidyne's? in the front of the radiator or in the back of the bronco?

[Blanco]

Hey ROACH,

So your going to use the radiators built in one as well? :confused:

If my memory serve's me correctly most people recomend by-passing the built in radiator trans coolers all together & just running the externals. http://www.thewebwheeler.com/forums/images/smilies/shrug.gif
Or is it because these after market radiators are that much better?

I was thinking about by-passing the internal Radiator one & running both my externals on either/both sides of the radiator once the front core support was removed.

You can kinda see the way it was done here in this Pic.
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/494529/fullsize/img_1632.jpg

[roach]

maybe we are all thinking of something different. we refer to them as "heat exchangers" and use them as an additional tranny oil cooler. they are built into the sides of the radiators. i am not talking about your standard radiator with the tranny lines built into it. i will take a shot of mine and post a pic so you can see.

[roach]

here is a link to the radiator and heat exchanger that i am refering to............

http://www.crracing.com/radiators/nascar_nextel.shtml

[Blanco]

here is a link to the radiator and heat exchanger that i am refering to............

http://www.crracing.com/radiators/nascar_nextel.shtml

That looks VERY expensive!

But, when I came up with this thread topic I had something more along the lines of the Fluidynes in mind. http://www.thewebwheeler.com/forums/images/smilies/shrug.gif

But I imagine those C&R's would do a great job.

[convoy]

I would say in front of the Radiator. You may have to shave the back of the stock plastic grill away to fit the fan combo, but I would think this would be the best spot for Broncos, since we lack the free open air in the rear.

Another option other than Setrab and the FLuidyne are the PWR fan coolers from Kartek. These are slightly less money.

The radiator/transmission cooler isn't very efficient for cooling.

If your engine is over heating then the trans fluid will also suffer (also visa vera). It's better to separate the two fluids and let each cool and fluctuate independently from each other under there own properties.

[RelentlessPursuitRacing]

I would say in front of the Radiator. You may have to shave the back of the stock plastic grill away to fit the fan combo, but I would think this would be the best spot for Broncos, since we lack the free open air in the rear.

Another option other than Setrab and the FLuidyne are the PWR fan coolers from Kartek. These are slightly less money.

The radiator/transmission cooler isn't very efficient for cooling.

If your engine is over heating then the trans fluid will also suffer (also visa vera). It's better to separate the two fluids and let each cool and fluctuate independently from each other under there own properties.

Hmmm. I've heard differantly. I burned up a tranny on an early bronco and it is believed to be from overheating after I bi-passed the radiator internal cooler. IF you bi-pass the radiator cooler you MUST run a MUCH LARGER cooler for the tranny and maybe multiple coolers. Another disandvantage to bi-passing the radiator cooler is the fact that you lose the ability for the tranny fluid to assist in bringing up to and maintaining the correct operating temp. of the engine. I plan on running both the internal radiator cooler and at least one, and maybe two additional external coolers. The external coolers will likely be on a thermastat or switched manually when the temp rises and they are needed. I will take a look into the CR's mentioned. I would love to hear some more input from racers that are running those. Jerry

[Blanco]

Another disandvantage to bi-passing the radiator cooler is the fact that you lose the ability for the tranny fluid to assist in bringing up to and maintaining the correct operating temp. of the engine.

Do you really believe that the engine cant generate the temp without the assistance of Tranny fluid?

Explain to me how it works with manual transmissions then? :rolleyes:


I burned up a tranny on an early bronco and it is believed to be from overheating after I bi-passed the radiator internal cooler.
Thats why they make Trans Temp gauges... Were you keeping an eye on yours when you Burned yours up as you say?

[RelentlessPursuitRacing]

Do you really believe that the engine cant generate the temp without the assistance of Tranny fluid?

Explain to me how it works with manual transmissions then? :rolleyes:



Thats why they make Trans Temp gauges... Were you keeping an eye on yours when you Burned yours up as you say?

I didn't say that it wouldn't work. Just said that it can be a disadvantage because it can't help bring the engine temp. up to a good (optimum) operating temperature when running in the very cold as it can get racing in MX at night. I personally know of people that have blocked off part of the front of the radiator to help bring up to temp. in the cold.

I know my auxillary tranny cooler was to small to be run as the "only" cooler, although, I didn't realize or know that until after the burned up tranny. At the time, I only had the stock EB gauge cluster, so no tranny temp. gauge. That was long time ago. I know better now. But I also know that that cooler was way to small to expect it to be able to cool as needed by itself. I am still not exactly sure which route I am going to go with the race truck, but obviously it will have all the neccessary gauges.

[Blanco]

My plan is to run dual Externals on the left & right on the engines radiator. :cool:

[shaner17]

I think I will first test the tranny cooler built into my Ron Davis radiator and watch/check the tranny during the initial test runs. And If we need to add a cooler then we add a cooler.

We will have a tranny temp guage in the bronco forsure, didnt spend all the money to get the C-6 built for nothing.

[pigracing]

Kind of along the same subject - where do you guys monitor your temps from? The pan or in-line somewhere?
I put mine in-line before the coolers just because I had an external filter with a temp port but I think I might move it into the pan.

[flyinbronco]

Hey Blanco I saw one of your old posts on RDC about rebuilding you Trans. I'm curious if you got it done and how its holding up. Mine is my weak link in the drivetrain and I'm about ready for a performance rebuild.

[Blanco]

Hey Blanco I saw one of your old posts on RDC about rebuilding you Trans. I'm curious if you got it done and how its holding up. Mine is my weak link in the drivetrain and I'm about ready for a performance rebuild.

I think mechanically its all good but I've had nothing but major eletrical issues..

& since I had one shop pull it out & I then took it to another for the rebuild & such, Its been a complete pain in the ass the people are having a hard time firguring out....
It seemed ok for a while then during my Baja trip started shifting like crap at slow speeds around 20 MPH butt it dont get hot. :o

I'm thinking its a combo of the computer & the Transfer case..

I dont really feel like talking about it. http://www.thewebwheeler.com/forums/images/smilies/8.gif

[Blanco]

Kind of along the same subject - where do you guys monitor your temps from? The pan or in-line somewhere?
I put mine in-line before the coolers just because I had an external filter with a temp port but I think I might move it into the pan.

Mines in the trans pan.

[pigracing]

Mines in the trans pan.

Ok, next question: What temps do you typically see?

[Blanco]

Ok, next question: What temps do you typically see?

Well I've not had a gauge for very long, But around town I personally see around 150-180 & during a pre-run 200+

[convoy]

Pig,
My temp gauge sensor is in the external filter, works great. Temps just like what Blanco is getting, maybe alittle cooler.

[convoy]

Flyinbronco,
SO your the one with the Autofab Bronco?

[Blanco]

Pig,
My temp gauge sensor is in the external filter, works great. Temps just like what Blanco is getting, maybe alittle cooler.

Cooler where? over all? or on the street? or while Pre-Running :confused:

[convoy]

Street and traffic runs in the mid 120-150 range and I'll find out a rough temp next weekend in the dirt. I'm running the external filter that receives a good amount of air flow an external cooler in front of the radiator.

[flyinbronco]

Yeah I've got an Autofab Bronco. Best toy I've ever owned! Sorry to bring up a sore subject Blanco. Bummer on the tranny issues. I've got to find a good transmission man to rebuild my E4OD anybody have sugestions?

[convoy]

Culhane Transmissions in Lake Elsinore.

[pigracing]

Street and traffic runs in the mid 120-150 range and I'll find out a rough temp next weekend in the dirt. I'm running the external filter that receives a good amount of air flow an external cooler in front of the radiator.

Damn that's crazy! That's after the fluid leaves the tranny and before it goes through the cooler? Or after the cooler?
When I ran mine on the street I think (it's been awhile) it would hang around 180-200 but in the dirt driving hard it would slowly creep up and wouldn't stop. I have two small b&M coolers in front of the radiator and they just couldn't keep up I guess.

[convoy]

Well not necessarily "crazy", but it is low. I'll have a better average when I blow the cobwebs off the bronco in a few days. I've probably put less than 200 miles on it since I installed the filter and gauge back in January. I was going back and forth over the Ortega Highway and that's it. I even had the overdrive off and it never got over 170.

[pigracing]

I just don't think i'v ever heard of anybody getting that cool in anything other than maybe the pan where (from my understanding) it's pretty much at it's lowest.
I just wish mine ran as cool i guess;)
What kind of cooler are you running by the way?

[chupakabras]

i'm on a search for a tranny cooler, what brand or type of oil cooler you end up with, i found these ones, what do you think will be the best one, or wish one do you recommend, it's for our c4, so,....?
also, we have been running on the edge of the water temp limit, about 220 or higher some times, so, we don't want to install an oil cooler in front of the water radiator, we want an independent oil cooler with fan, that's why i been looking for something like this.
these are not to expensive as others, but,
http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=PRM%2D12315&N=700+400006+115&autoview=sku
http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=PRM%2D12211&N=700+400006+115&autoview=sku
http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=FLX%2D45908&N=700+115&autoview=sku

[Dave G]

I've got a couple of thoughts that might help... or might not.

If you can avoid it, don't introduce any more potential failure points than necessary- nix on the electric fan units (added weight, added load on your alternator, will kill your battery faster in event of alt. failure, may cause radio interference, etc, etc, you're better to spend the same money on a superior cooler and put it up in the airstream behind the driver's compartment (or put it lower and divert air to it)

Look at this one: http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=EAR%2D42510ERL&N=700+4294888847+115&autoview=sku

It's a better product, it doesn't need wires, switches or fuses, and costs the same!

[chupakabras]

i'm a click away from buying this oil cooler, what do you think about it, i don't know, i'm thinking about buying two without fans and just install a single big fan, each measures 10.2x20" 1.5 width, the core, . at the end could measure 20x20",
http://perma-cool.com/Catalog/Cat_page13.html
http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=PRM%2D2318&N=700+400006+4294924500+4294854215&autoview=sku

or a single one with fan.
http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=PRM%2D12318&N=700+400006+4294924500+4294854215+115&autoview=sku

[RelentlessPursuitRacing]

i'm a click away from buying this oil cooler, what do you think about it, i don't know, i'm thinking about buying two without fans and just install a single big fan, each measures 10.2x20" 1.5 width, the core, . at the end could measure 20x20",
http://perma-cool.com/Catalog/Cat_page13.html
http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=PRM%2D2318&N=700+400006+4294924500+4294854215&autoview=sku

or a single one with fan.
http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=PRM%2D12318&N=700+400006+4294924500+4294854215+115&autoview=sku

Chupa, I wouldn't buy the tube and fin type. I believe the the stacked plate type are stronger and actually cool better. They cost more, but there is a reason for that. I am pretty sure the stacked plate will hold together better in race conditions. Most auto manufacturers are using the stacked plate now as well.

[Scott]

I've got a couple of thoughts that might help... or might not.

If you can avoid it, don't introduce any more potential failure points than necessary- nix on the electric fan units (added weight, added load on your alternator, will kill your battery faster in event of alt. failure, may cause radio interference, etc, etc, you're better to spend the same money on a superior cooler and put it up in the airstream behind the driver's compartment (or put it lower and divert air to it)

Look at this one: http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=EAR%2D42510ERL&N=700+4294888847+115&autoview=sku

It's a better product, it doesn't need wires, switches or fuses, and costs the same!

Dave -- I understand your reasoning behind not wanting the added electrical load, but it's nice to have when airflow isn't getting it done. We have ours wired to where we can manually switch the fans on/off, bypassing the auto on/off view temp sensor. That way if we are having alt. issues, we can keep the fans off if needed - but still have the option of using fans. Just another way to skin the cat I guess. by the way..we use Derale's for tranny and oil.

[chupakabras]

hey guys, what do you think about this one, HYDAC oil cooler, kind of industrial oil cooler,, looks good. .

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=200150712253&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=010