Transmission Coolers

[2tons0fun]

Ok, here is the scenerio:

1959 Ford Wagon (HEAVY!!!) w/ 460/c6/9". I am going to be towing my 8500lb. slopar around if I ever get either of these projects done. I ordered a 26" AL radiator that is barely, if at all, going to fit where the stock unit does. This radiator does not have a trans cooler built in, so I need to use an aftermarket unit.

What do I want? Someone told me to order a cheapy Summit finned tube dealy but I never thought much of those. This trans is going to see some serious heat in the mountains, out west etc. We are the type of people that would rather spend now doing it right (why do I have a mopar?) instead of now *and* later, so price is not really a big deal. Are the plate units the hot ticket?

Well, what do you guys suggest? Any suggestion on installation?

As always thanks mucho,

2tons0fun

[WI Syn Oil]

B&M sells something if I recall.

Order some synthetic ATF from me, the Amsoil ATF will help reduce your temps and provide better protection. (In addition to a trans cooler)

[Positraction Action]

this is what i got, it works great, but i dont have anything special, it is probalbly too small for what you need





http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=PRM%2D1024&N=4294924500+4294839034+400006+4294888847+42949066 26+4294888841+4294891536&autoview=sku

[2tons0fun]

Are you running that along with a stock built-into-the-radiator cooler or by itself? 'Wonder if I could stack them and connect in tandem?

Thanks!

2tons0FIB

[Positraction Action]

with the old smaller cooler the 2 were joined, but I wanted to run steel braided lines and i didn't like the barb ends so i got this one. But when i put it in I didnt hook it up to the cooler in the radiator cuz i'm going to go with a aluminum radiator this winter.

[2tons0fun]

Cool, perhaps that would do the trick. I know this may be a totally dumb question, perhaps the dumbest ever on this site, but....other than a gauge, how does one know the trans is too hot (short of failure). I wonder if I should install one......

2tons

[WI Syn Oil]

Cool, perhaps that would do the trick. I know this may be a totally dumb question, perhaps the dumbest ever on this site, but....other than a gauge, how does one know the trans is too hot (short of failure). I wonder if I should install one......

2tons

Run some Amsoil Synthetic ATF with the cooler and you shouldn't have to worry.

[camaro1]

I use the b&m 70297 it has a built in thermo switch and a 9 1/2" fan, i run just this cooler and larger trans lines from the trans straight to the cooler, no radiator cooler, my trans stays below 160 f

with its own built in fan you can be creative where you mount it

[1SLO5.0]

I used the biggest TCI cooler with A/N fittings. Worked really good. Get a gauge. Its the safest way to go. I know it doesn't pertain to your car but anyone doing a performance transmission needs to pay close attention to what valve body they are going to use. I had a C4 with an Art Carr valve body that over heated no matter what I did. It didn't matter what trans cooler, fluid, speed, torque converter or anything else that I change. The temp would climb and keep climbing until I stopped the car. New valvebody and it ran 170ish. Just some FYI.

[2tons0fun]

Thanks for the info so far folks.

Where does one mount the gauge....inline (I am full of dumb ?'s tonight).

Also, where oh where is the vent on a C6?

Last dummy Q, what kind of converter does one use for towing? Stockish? If so, what is the stockish stahl on a C6?

One more....is it possible to get too big of a cooler and run less than 170 during normal driving? :pat:

Damn these complicated automatics, maybe I should stuff a four speed in it!

Thanks again,

2tons

[1SLO5.0]

Drill the pan for the fitting for the gauge. I'm not sure where the vent is on a C6. Also not sure what the best converter for your application would be. I would think something real close to stock so it doesn't build extra heat associated with a slipping high stall converter. I wouldn't worry about too big of a cooler. The cooler it runs, the longer it will last.

[WI Syn Oil]

The cooler it runs, the longer it will last.

Thats why you should use synthetic ATF, runs cooler than petroleum based ATF

[Joel_91GT]

I had a C4 with an Art Carr valve body that over heated no matter what I did. It didn't matter what trans cooler, fluid, speed, torque converter or anything else that I change. The temp would climb and keep climbing until I stopped the car. New valvebody and it ran 170ish. Just some FYI.

curious what brands of valve body would you recomend as im going to be in the market for one shortly...

[1SLO5.0]

curious what brands of valve body would you recomend as im going to be in the market for one shortly...


PA, Dynamic or Turbo Action are all good. I'm sure their are other good ones out there. Just stay far away from Art Carr.

[Wasted Income]

Do like Darrell said and mount the sender for the trans gauge in the pan. This is the temp of fluid that the transmission is using, and thus the one you'll want to keep track of.

Stick with a stock converter. I'd imagine that your 460 will make most of it's power down low, and you'll want to be able to take advantage of it.

Mount the trans cooler vertically in front of the radiator. Efficiency goes down drastically as you move it behind items such as the radiator, A/C condenser (intercooler???? :lovein: ), and if you mount it at an angle. For the highest efficiency, you want the airflow to be 90* to the cooler (through it).

Good luck.

[Slow Ride]

I'm using the biggest cooler Summit makes and a deep finned cast aluminum pan. I need to install a gauge yet, but I have a pretty tight low stall speed converter.