Radiator trans cooler circumvent

dcorwin822 · Post by **dcorwin822** » Tue Oct 26, 2010 11:20 pm

Just putting a feeler out there for coolers so I can skip the built in one in the radiator. Car mainly operates in upstate NY so we see weather all over the place. Summers can hit 110 and winters can see some sub 0 weather. Its a daily driver so it needs something reliable and I'm hoping on not spending more than 60 for the cooler.

Again I'm looking for recommendations. I was looking at the B&M supercoolers that some how lets the oil bypass it when its too cool and when it gets warmer it starts letting the oil thru the plates. See: http://www.bmracing.com/PRODUCTS/Automa ... perCoolers .

Jamie · Post by **Jamie** » Wed Nov 03, 2010 8:48 am

There is really no reason to skip the trans cooler in the radiator. My built 3 speed has an external cooler that I ran in line after the radiator. Keeps trans temps in the green where they should be.

That is a good looking trans cooler though, Wish I would have seen it before I picked up mine.

r/tguy02 · Post by **r/tguy02** » Wed Nov 03, 2010 8:57 am

Jamie wrote:There is really no reason to skip the trans cooler in the radiator. My built 3 speed has an external cooler that I ran in line after the radiator.

apparently you missed all the threads where our factory atx radiators burst and mixed coolant and trans fluid, ruining their transmissions.

Post by **occasional demons** » Wed Nov 03, 2010 9:00 am

You obviously haven't seen the 10 or more threads about the heat exchangers in the radiator failing causing transmission failure, or at minimum having the expense of getting the trans flushed if caught soon enough, plus the need to flush the cooling system. It is becoming a more common problem. Bypassing the radiator is cheap insurance.

dcorwin822 · Post by **dcorwin822** » Wed Nov 03, 2010 9:51 am

So no thoughts on the link I gave or any suggestions?

r/tguy02 · Post by **r/tguy02** » Wed Nov 03, 2010 10:13 am

looks like a good option to me, but i am no way an atx expert

Post by **occasional demons** » Wed Nov 03, 2010 11:51 am

I prefer the stacked plate design over the tube/fin design. I also use the Perma Cool t'stat to keep the fluid warmer in the winter months. The bypass feature they mention works off the viscosity of the fluid. Too thick (cold), and it won't flow through the plates.

IDK how well that will work with ATF. I can see it working with motor oil, but those are trans coolers, so it should/might work.

The only way you would really know is to install a temp gauge. Ideally the ATX should operate between 170ºF and 200ºF. You don't want to go over 240ºF or operate below 170ºF. Too cold will not evaporate any moisture out, and too hot will (obviously) cause failure.

Summit Racing's prices might be a bit better, but then with the "Handling" charge it may be a wash.