Oil Cooler as Trans Cooler

[BGKYK5]

I want to add a trans cooler to try and keep my 700R4 alive as long as possible. I have a spare oil cooler - could I plumb that in series with the trans cooler in the radiator? Is the pressure in the trans cooling circuit higher than engine oil pressure? Has anybody tried this? With the stock oil cooler on the left and the trans cooler (old oil cooler) on the right, it looks like it would pretty much block the whole front of the radiator. I have a puller electric fan mounted to the back of the radiator, would I still get enough air flow to keep the coolant temps down? Coolant temps are not a problem now.

 

[mechted]

it will work fine, just make sure you have good connections. Barb style fittings arnt the best to run under pressure

Heat buildup should also not be an issue, air flows through the cooler/radiator elements pretty easily

 

[BGKYK5]

Thanks.

How is the weather in good ole Davis? I lived there for 5 years when I was in school (yes 5 years - I'm 25% dumber than average).

I don't see why it wouldn't work, but has anybody actually tried this?

 

[fabjunkie]

I would think that oil and tranny coolers are one in the same. I would just suggest flushing it if it's used.

I've never had a problem with barb fittings, but doing it hardline is better, and cleaner looking IMO.

 

[mechted]

probably about the same as when you were here... the average time to degree (ignoring drop-outs) is like 4.3 years for Davis, so you are only 16% less motivated than average

 

[4X4HIGH]

I've had a tranny cooler, the B&M unit that summit sells which is the exact same brand (long) that the oil cooler is. It worked fine and no overheat issues.

 

[BGKYK5]

Glad to hear it mechted. See, I am getting smarter as I get older! Is mechted a reference to Mechanical Engineering?

 

[mechted]

yeah, got my mech engineering degree last june (4 years :P)

 

[BGKYK5]

Still in Davis a year later? Work there? Play there? Masters? I got my BSME there in '98. My freshman year was the last year of required drafting instead of CAD. Yikes that makes me feel old.

 

[ntsqd]

Trans cooler pressures are reportedly aboput 15 psi, so no worries there. ATF is nearly as bad as diesel in it's ability to find a hole so good fittings & hose are a must. Fuel hose won't last very long. The better parts stores carry a rubber hose intended for trans cooler use. I use that and Weatherhead "Barb-tite" (AKA "Push-Loc") fittings. The do not want or need a hose clamp. Putting a clamp on one usually cuts the hose on the barb. I sometimes use a T&B between the barbs when I'm particularly worried about a connection, but I have never had one of these connections fail & I use them everywhere at work.

A bonus of a cooler designed for engine oil is added capacity. It's sort of like trapped volume, but it does circulate thru the system.

 

[BGKYK5]

Thanks for the info. I figured that the cooler wouldn't run at trans line pressure, but I wasn't sure what it would run at. I won't have to worry if it is just 15 PSI. I'm not sure what I'll use for plumbing yet. I'll look into those fittings. I am thinking of adding an external filter too (I think from PermaCool?). The price was right - Free! That would add even more volume and hopefully better filtration.