Trans Cooler Question for the Burb. - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

68 Suburban · 05-04-2004, 05:22 PM

I know I asked this before, but I can't find the post.

When running a trans cooler, do you still need to run the lines through the radiator? The instructions usually show the cooler run in tandem with the radiator cooler. What reason would you still need to use the radiator cooler? Thanks in advance.

ckhd · 05-04-2004, 05:51 PM

Yes, you do need to run it through the radiator. The radiator is not just a cooler, but a temperature controller.

Also, even a LARGE accessory cooler isn't enough to control the temperature.

I do know that when I put a 700r4 in my 'burb, then Bowtie Overdrives absolutely insisted that I run it through the radiator too. Said they wouldn't warranty it if I didn't.

72C203503ONTHETREE · 05-04-2004, 06:35 PM

For racing, use it by itself, for a daily driver use the radiator cooler along with the aftermarket cooler. In my 83 El Camino I am running a B&M super cooler with a fan by itself. Running it through the radiator cooler is supposed to keep the temp at a constant rate.

68 Suburban · 05-04-2004, 09:37 PM

Thanks, does it matter what line you run to where?

Trans running to the cooler then the radiator, or vise versa? Which trans line is inny and which is outty.

Duallie · 05-04-2004, 10:10 PM

The bottom line pumps FROM the tranny; the top line (at the transmission) is the return. I run from the trans to the new cooler then to the radiator. That way, no extra heat is dumped into the radiator from the transmission, and the return oil is always engine temp. No more, no less. In Alaska, it can be a LOT less.

ckhd · 05-05-2004, 11:51 AM

And you want to pump the fluid from the bottom to the top in your radiator and your cooler (inlet at the bottom).

I go from the tranny to the radiator, to the cooler, then back to the tranny.

I don't know if running it to the aftermarket cooler first would be best or not.

mrein3 · 05-05-2004, 12:35 PM

68 Suburban,
Your signature shows you live in Phoenix. You want to run your hot tranny fluid from the tranny to the radiator to the external cooler then back to the tranny. You only have to worry about heat.
Up here in Minnesota we run them to the radiator AFTER the external cooler to HEAT the fluid in the winter.
The ultimate solution is to have plumbing and valves to be able to do both.

68 Suburban · 05-05-2004, 03:12 PM

Thanks for the help

05-04-2004, 05:22 PM	#1
68 Suburban Registered User Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: From Chicago, Live in Phoenix, AZ Posts: 6,802	Trans Cooler Question for the Burb. I know I asked this before, but I can't find the post. When running a trans cooler, do you still need to run the lines through the radiator? The instructions usually show the cooler run in tandem with the radiator cooler. What reason would you still need to use the radiator cooler? Thanks in advance. __________________ Just sitting here contemplating contemplation.

05-04-2004, 05:51 PM	#2
ckhd Registered User Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: St. Johns, Arizona Posts: 2,660	Yes, you do need to run it through the radiator. The radiator is not just a cooler, but a temperature controller. Also, even a LARGE accessory cooler isn't enough to control the temperature. I do know that when I put a 700r4 in my 'burb, then Bowtie Overdrives absolutely insisted that I run it through the radiator too. Said they wouldn't warranty it if I didn't. __________________ my 2¢ - t.i.o.l.i. Bowen 1968 K20 fleet 1969 K10 swb fleet 1972 K10 Suburban 1972 C10 lwb step 1992 K1500 'burb 1995 K2500 'burb 1997 C1500 'burb 1999 K1500 2000 K1500 'burb Why do I own so many Suburbans?

05-04-2004, 06:35 PM	#3
72C203503ONTHETREE Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Grant, Alabama Posts: 504	For racing, use it by itself, for a daily driver use the radiator cooler along with the aftermarket cooler. In my 83 El Camino I am running a B&M super cooler with a fan by itself. Running it through the radiator cooler is supposed to keep the temp at a constant rate. __________________ 72 Chevy C20, SOLD (Dang it.) 09 Challanger RT six speed in all black. 74 Datsun 710 wagon, all 1.8 liters of screaming Datsun power. 73 C10 long bed, 350/350 combo, nice shape.

05-04-2004, 09:37 PM	#4
68 Suburban Registered User Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: From Chicago, Live in Phoenix, AZ Posts: 6,802	Thanks, does it matter what line you run to where? Trans running to the cooler then the radiator, or vise versa? Which trans line is inny and which is outty. __________________ Just sitting here contemplating contemplation. Last edited by 68 Suburban; 05-04-2004 at 09:40 PM.

05-05-2004, 11:51 AM	#6
ckhd Registered User Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: St. Johns, Arizona Posts: 2,660	And you want to pump the fluid from the bottom to the top in your radiator and your cooler (inlet at the bottom). I go from the tranny to the radiator, to the cooler, then back to the tranny. I don't know if running it to the aftermarket cooler first would be best or not. __________________ my 2¢ - t.i.o.l.i. Bowen 1968 K20 fleet 1969 K10 swb fleet 1972 K10 Suburban 1972 C10 lwb step 1992 K1500 'burb 1995 K2500 'burb 1997 C1500 'burb 1999 K1500 2000 K1500 'burb Why do I own so many Suburbans?

05-04-2004, 10:10 PM	#5
Duallie Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Nikiski, Alaska Posts: 477	The bottom line pumps FROM the tranny; the top line (at the transmission) is the return. I run from the trans to the new cooler then to the radiator. That way, no extra heat is dumped into the radiator from the transmission, and the return oil is always engine temp. No more, no less. In Alaska, it can be a LOT less.

05-05-2004, 12:35 PM	#7
mrein3 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Center City, MN, USA Posts: 3,253	68 Suburban, Your signature shows you live in Phoenix. You want to run your hot tranny fluid from the tranny to the radiator to the external cooler then back to the tranny. You only have to worry about heat. Up here in Minnesota we run them to the radiator AFTER the external cooler to HEAT the fluid in the winter. The ultimate solution is to have plumbing and valves to be able to do both. __________________ '70 cab, '71 chassis, 383, TH350, NP205. '71 Malibu convertible '72 Malibu hard top Center City, MN

05-05-2004, 03:12 PM	#8
68 Suburban Registered User Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: From Chicago, Live in Phoenix, AZ Posts: 6,802	Thanks for the help __________________ Just sitting here contemplating contemplation.



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