Automatic Transmission Coolers

[KrayzieFox]

This seems to be a hot topic these last few weeks, and the discussion is scattered throughout the entire forum.. so let's keep it all in here instead.

I'll start by copying one of my previous posts that gives a short description on how to install a tranny cooler on our cars. It's very simple, so not much instruction is needed.

-Drain coolant and remove radiator

-Remove upper grille and hood latch support brace so you can gain access to the front of the A/C condenser.

-Mount cooler to front of A/C condenser by using ties that come with it. They simply go through the fins of both the tranny cooler and A/C condenser. Try to expose the cooler to as much airflow as possible, since air is what does most the cooling.


-Disconnect lines that go from the front of the tranny to the bottom of radiator to the stock "tranny cooler".

-Hook up new lines to the tranny cooler and bypass the stock "cooler" that's part of the radiator.


DONE

EDIT: With JUST the auxillary tranny cooler installed, my fluid temps have NEVER gone above 160*F AFTER the cooler. That includes AutoX days as well.

[bazooka joe]

thanks...i'll be doing this next month! i've had the cooler for a year and just never found the time....

[BRIAN MP5T]

Nice Writeup. I would also like to mention that if people are a bit creative, that cooler can go almost anywhere under the car... Even in the rear as long as there is airflow... Like a duct.

[jeg0024]

Why drain coolant and remove the radiator?

[KrayzieFox]

Cuz you need to have access to both sides of the A/C condenser in order to mount the tranny cooler. You can't get to the inside with the radiator still on.

[MazdaTom]

Why drain coolant and remove the radiator?

I left my radiator fluid inside the radiator.

Cuz you need to have access to both sides of the A/C condenser in order to mount the tranny cooler. You can't get to the inside with the radiator still on.

For those pins? I just stuck mine all the way through the condensor and the radiator.

[KrayzieFox]

I suppose you could do that, but I didn't wanna risk the radiator getting punctured from the vibrations. Either way is fine.. completely up to the installer.

[jeg0024]

Ohhh, well I will check how well of a job they do on mine then. Better be one hell of a job for $3k.

[Judman13]

I may sound like a complete idiot, but is there any benefit to a tranny cooler on a manual.

[MazdaTom]

I may sound like a complete idiot, but is there any benefit to a tranny cooler on a manual.

Not really. Although I did see a Protege aftermarket company offering one- Protege Garage maybe. And since a manual transmission doesn't pump the fluid around like an automatic, you'd probably need some kind of aux pump to get the fluid through the cooler. But manuals really don't generate the heat that warrants a cooler.