Transmissions and Drivetrain Need help with your trans? Problems with your axle?

What size trans cooler?

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Old 10-02-2007, 05:22 PM
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Car: 1991 Camaro RS
Engine: 355
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 10 bolt Richmond 3.73 posi w/ discs
What size trans cooler?

I have a 700R4 w/ 2400 stall. I'm going to install a trans cooler and am stuck between one thats rated for 20,000GVW and one thats 22,000GVW. They both say for large vehicles that are towing but I want something that will cool the transmission but not overkill. What are you guys running?
Old 10-05-2007, 08:02 AM
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Car: 83 Z28
Engine: 305 (LG4)
Transmission: THM700R4
Axle/Gears: 10 bolt, 3.23 non-LS
Re: What size trans cooler?

It doesn't have to be very big. Early 700r4s only had the one that is inside the radiator and it worked fine for normal street driving.
Old 10-05-2007, 08:08 AM
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Car: 88 GTA
Engine: 355
Transmission: TH350
Axle/Gears: 3.42 Auburn Pro
Re: What size trans cooler?

I don't think you can have one too big. I would use the larger one.
Old 10-05-2007, 08:17 AM
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Car: 83 Z28
Engine: 305 (LG4)
Transmission: THM700R4
Axle/Gears: 10 bolt, 3.23 non-LS
Re: What size trans cooler?

Originally Posted by jtrescot
I don't think you can have one too big. I would use the larger one.
Actually i thought that was why the stock ones were routed through the radiator to help warm up the trans fluid quicker in cold weather. And then once it is warm, keep it from getting to hot.
Old 10-05-2007, 09:44 AM
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Car: 1989 GTA
Engine: SuperRam 350
Transmission: Pro Built S/S TH700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.27
Re: What size trans cooler?

You're all correct. If a transmission cooler is used with a bypassed radiator and you're in cold conditions, it will take longer to warm up. Also runs the risk of running too cold while the vehicle is in motion. (Think driving on the highway when it's below freezing temps, that's a harsh windchill.) In those cases your transmission fluid could turn into gel. Some newer Ford vehicles have to use the radiator before a cooler because transmission temp is needed to get into closed loop. With a bypassed radiator, it would never get into closed loop. For our cars, that's not an issue.

I recommend the biggest cooler you can fit in there. Especially when you're in a hot and/or humid state like Georgia. Humidity in particular is hard on cooling systems.

http://www.bulkpart.com/Merchant2/me...e=tru-cool-lpd

Here are the different sized coolers from Long Tru-Cool. I got the #4490 model. She's a big one, but it does the job.

Whether you bypass the radiator or not is up to you. I didn't because I'm in a hot climate. I like that in the event of an overheat situation, the transmission stays cool. In fact back in September, I had the radiator at 240° while the transmission cooler temp was still at 188.°

Stick with a stacked plate design. I like the Long Tru-Cool models because they have a bypass route along the top that the fluid flows through when it's too cool.
Old 10-05-2007, 09:58 AM
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Axle/Gears: 10 bolt, 3.23 non-LS
Re: What size trans cooler?

Reid,

So in Ohio. if you drive in the summer only, would you recommend using an additional trans cooler, over the stock radiator one?
Old 10-05-2007, 09:55 PM
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Re: What size trans cooler?

I run a 20,000 ext. cooler only, not going through the radiator at all, no problems runs about 185* in 95-100* heat. I only drive in the summer so take that into account.
Old 10-05-2007, 10:32 PM
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Car: 1989 GTA
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Re: What size trans cooler?

Originally Posted by phess11
Reid,

So in Ohio. if you drive in the summer only, would you recommend using an additional trans cooler, over the stock radiator one?
If you're running a stock stall, mostly doing cruising (highway, country roads etc) you should be just fine. If you're using it as a daily driver in stop and go traffic, rush hour, during hot weather, you should think about it.
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