trany cooler lines on a 4l80e

[jonathon]

So I remember someone hear ended up using a braided line for their transmission cooler lines on their 4l80e.. what I'm curious is where I can find out what fittings to use and more importantly, either have the lines made or make them myself...

I want to eliminate the radiator cooler all together.. I've got it plumbed now using a B&M "kit" to go from trans -> radiator -> B&M cooler -> trans.

My hard lines are about toast from 20 years..

 

[Keitha]

I recall hearing that running the trany fluid through the radiator cooler helps bring the trany up to operating temperature quicker and in general it helps keep the temp constant.

 

[GRINCH]

I recall hearing that running the trany fluid through the radiator cooler helps bring the trany up to operating temperature quicker and in general it helps keep the temp constant.

Yes you will still want to use the radiator. Run it to the rad first and then to the cooler and then back to the tranny.

You may have read my post a while back on the cooler lines but it was on my 700R4. Maybe not...

You must use a straight tread fitting with a nylon washer. if you use a 1/4 NPT fitting you will crack the case.

Be very careful if you have a later model 4l80E putting the AN fittings on
***** Very Important******
On the later model 4L80E's, 1997 and up that have the cooler line on the rear of the transmission and one by the bell housing, you cannot use the regular fittings. I will be posting a write up on this in a day or two. The rear fitting has an extended tube that goes inside the tranny. With out this extension you will not have any flow into the cooler line and will soon smoke the tranny.

 

[jonathon]

Good info, looks like I'm going to have to crawl under there and take a look and see what case I have. The trans was replaced with a Goodwrench crate transmission in '98 under warranty, but that's so close to the change over it could be either/or.

So if I have a newer case one coolant line will be towards the tail, and the other will be at the bell housing? Where are the lines with the older cases?

I seem to recall seeing a line at the rear...

 

[74kay5]

I just cut the lines close to the tranny housing and made new braided lines from there. I have a 99 case so I had to get creative.

 

[Yo]

That looks so clean....did you simply flare the fittings on there?

 

[GRINCH]

Good info, looks like I'm going to have to crawl under there and take a look and see what case I have. The trans was replaced with a Goodwrench crate transmission in '98 under warranty, but that's so close to the change over it could be either/or.

So if I have a newer case one coolant line will be towards the tail, and the other will be at the bell housing? Where are the lines with the older cases?

I seem to recall seeing a line at the rear...

The older style will have both of the lines by the bell housing, same as the 700R4

 

[cuervo]

This is from a tranny builder on their site. Tranny temps what 300+ water is 200 ?? Keep the radiator cooler.

Transmission Cooling: You must have a transmission cooler in your radiator regardless of what someone has told you for the transmission to last. Auxiliary coolers are just that, in addition to. Water cools 32 times better (faster) than air always, period. The transmission fluid comes directly from the torque converter at a much higher temperature than the water in your radiator and is cooled to the water temperature fast. Then it goes to the auxiliary cooler to be cooled far below the water temperature. If you don't need a cooler in your radiator why does GM spend all that money doing so? If you wanted to cool a red hot piece of steel fast would you stick it in water or air, see the point. For the best cooling you need both water and air cooling for the transmission to be cooler than the motor.

 

[jonathon]

Excellent info! Thanks.

 

[jonathon]

You posting your write up soon?

 

[GRINCH]

I just put it in the garage. 4L80E cooler lines AN style