Transmission Cooler help

[Dominic]

I've never installed a trans cooler, but think its a worthwhile mod. I'm considering the B&M one offered at thunderracing since it seems to be popular amongst fbodies. I just have a few questions about installing them, I hope someone here can answer them for me (magnus?).

Here goes:

1. Do I need to purge the air from the cooler before I connect the return line, or will it push the air out and into the tranny, and everything will be ok?

2. How do I locate the transmission inlet/outlet lines?

3. How much fluid should I add to the transmission after installing the cooler?

4. Is the install guide that comes with this cooler helpful in the least?

5. For anyone who has bought this cooler, do I need to purchase any extra line/fittings/zipstraps or anything not included in the supercooler kit to make it work on my firebird?

I think this will be beneficial information for myself and others, I hope I get some responses this time... Thanks guys. [img]smile.gif[/img]

[Dark Knight]

here is some info that i found and it is what i am going to use for my install next weekend!

web page

[DominusEtDeusNatus]

I think Magnus had his installed at speed inc along with the shift kit and torque converter all at the same time.

[Dominic]

Thanks Dom and DK.

The article I've read, and it sortof answers my questions, but doesn't answer the bleed/question and doesn't contained zoomed out enough photos for me to tell which lines those are! Oh well...

[RamAir95TA]

No bleeding is necessary. At the MOST, a one hour install.

[Dominic]

Thanks RamAir :D Thats really all I needed to know!

[NBMA4V6]

Hawgs and i installed the tranny cooler on my car..install was easy..figuring out where to mount it was the heardest thing..ill take some pics of where i installed mine..its a very clean install and looks almost factory...

Jeff W

BTW i can provide pics if they are wanted..

and the instructions that i used can be found over at LS1.com search in the LS1 help section under "tranny cooler"..very useful and excellent pics

[RamAir95TA]

Hard place to mount?

Right on the radiator.

[NBMA4V6]

not if you do it the pimp way and have a aftermarket Ram air or want to keep you Free ram air setup..like i did..

Tomorrow i will take some pics..its a very nice install gotta give hawgs props on his Mad customizing skillz

Jeff W

[Lafon]

I would like to see some pics. I have a CAI laying smack in the middle of my radiator where I would like to put my tranny cooler. Thats where, from what I understand, is the tranny cooler's most efficient place.

Thanks

[NBMA4V6]

this is the samwe way i mounted mine..it get air dirctly off the air dam...

BTW its called the "Dope" way..
http://fear.net/~dope/camaro/tranny_cooler

Jeff W

[RaVeN1469]

I didn't notice if anyone mentioned anything about any extra pieces being needed? I'm installing the B&M this weekend that I ordered from thunder racing too.

[BillyCobin]

I don't like the way the guy in Dark Knight's link hookup up the fluid lines. I personally do not like the idea of using a barbed hose connecter, it restricts the flow of the fluid. I was considering the same thing, but it didn't seem smart to me. I guess if a lot of people are hooking them up like this without any problems, it is probably OK. Just seems to me that the better the fluid can flow, the better off the tranny is.

I picked up a Hayden at a local shop when I did mine. I had to pick up a few feet of tranny hose (f*ckin 4 bucks a foot). If you check out the link in my sig, I have some pictures of my install, and some tips for making the zip ties more secure. Plus I ended up getting a fuel/brake line flare tool, so I could connect the rubber hoeses directly to the metal lines, so I wouldn't have to use a barbed hose connecter.

I have my cooler currently placed inbetween my AC and radiator. I don't like this mounting place one bit, AutoTap says the tranny is running a bit warm (190). So tommorow I am going to put a larger cooler on, and mount it up front.

[ September 11, 2002: Message edited by: BillyCobin ]</p>

[12secondv6]

I bought a flex lite tranny cooler.
I had never installed one before.
It came with all the parts included.
All I did was unscrew the tranny lines from the radiator, plug in/ screw the provided connections, run the lines, and instal the cooler right on top of the radiator.
I did not purge the line, I just started the car which pressurized them.
How much to be added, well, it all depends on how much you spill ;) I just checked the dip stick.

As for inlet and outlet, well I guessed the first time but typically hotter fluid enters the bottom of the radiator and cools as it goes up, I hope I'm right.
So, the return line is on top, I think