I'd like opinions on transmission coolers

[49studebaker]

I plan on buying a 700r4 for my 1971 GMC 1/2 ton 2wd. It will never tow or carry much weight. It will be powered by a Ram Jet 350. Question is this...An external transmission oil cooler is more efficient then the ones that are in the radiator, but with the 71 GMC grills, the external cooler sticks out like a sore thumb. What is yor experience with tranny coolers? I guess I just want a cleaner look from the front of the truck without compromising a new RV transmission. THANKS.

[ChevyDude]

I have a 700R4 and mounted the 18" cylinder cooler in front. It will dissapear behind the 71" Chevy grill. You could also mount one of these on the frame rail beneath the cab...lots of air there too. Simple install!!!

[cdowns]

frame rail mounted dual-pass heat sink type of tranny cooler it's more than you'll ever need

[PanelDeland]

Another option is the old style finned radiator style.They come with built in fans and can be mounted anywhere there's airflow avail.

[TugOwar]

Do you guys completely bypass the radiator with an external unit or use both? Is the external better alone because it can get a breath of that country air?

[cdowns]

Originally Posted by TugOwar

Do you guys completely bypass the radiator with an external unit or use both? Is the external better alone because it can get a breath of that country air?

when i lived up north i used to still run thru the rad to have some heat in the tranny during the winter but southern climates take care of the minimum heat requirements

[1972C10]

Im in Texas I prefer to have them not hooked to the radiator cooler sometimes i have had to put them in because of the radiator not having the provision for one

I have installed TCI and PermaCool In the past I just Ordered A B&M Supercooler for a 73 Vette Ive Been Restoring.

Ill let you know how it works out Reason for me getting it was because of the new radiator not having it.

[ChevyDude]

Monster Motorsports, www.Eatmyshift.com reccomends by passing the "hot" radiator completely and going direct to the auxilary cooler.

[68C15]

I would stay away from the tube-fin type and get a stacked plate style like B&M. I have one I got from a step van parts supplier for about 1/2 the price of B&M.

[gator2511]

I used a Monster Motorsports TH400 with a finned oil cooler mounted in front of the radiator. It does not pass through the radiator cause its always hot around here.

[mrein3]

Originally Posted by TugOwar

Do you guys completely bypass the radiator with an external unit or use both? Is the external better alone because it can get a breath of that country air?

NO!

Your transmission needs some heat. Up here (actually I'm typing this in Atlanta but home is Minnesota) you need to run the external cooler to the radiator then back to the transmission. I understand down here folks run them "backwards". First the radiator, then the external cooler. I know one guy up north who actually changes his summer to winter.


The best thing to do is install a temperature gauge and monitor the situation. Last week pulling my boat up north my transmission got up to 195. Still an ok temp.

My understanding is you want to run your trans between 100 and 200 F. Any higher OR LOWER isn't good for it.

[1-PU70]

I run a B&M cooler, the largest one they make. I bypased the rad and just run through in the the cooler. I have a 402 with a 700R behind it. Put about 50000 miles with sometimes towing a car trailer and car. Never had a heat problem. I have lived in Indiana, Florida, Kansas, Ohio, Wisconsin, and now New York and have never had a problem with it to cold or to hot. Plus this is a used trans I put in there. Heres a pic of the front of the truck, not a GMC but it has the AC dryer and the cooler out front and cant see them.

[rodstored-72]

hey guys,
i am putting in a b&m finned "streetrod" style cooler on my '72 with a 383 stroker motor. i am wondering where some of you guys have mounted your tranny coolers??? if possible could you guys also tell specifically how you mounted them??

thanks!!! rodstored-72

[49studebaker]

This is what it previously looked like before my build started. Lower left hand corner is the cooler. I hope to have a smoother look. So far I've gotten some really good ideas from you guys.

[BobbyK]

Mine is a stacked plate cooler,28,000 GVM


Here's a link to the install of it.
http://public.fotki.com/blazbk/blaze...ission_cooler/

[68 short step]

Originally Posted by cdowns

frame rail mounted dual-pass heat sink type of tranny cooler it's more than you'll ever need

where do ya get one like that?