TRANNY COOLER

[NC_IslandRunner]

Didn't want to hijack vent thread so made thread for tranny cooler,
I know there is one on OS but not eveyone goes over there.

I saw someone on OS posted using the Tru-cool 4589 but it is 8"x11"x1-1/2".
I think it's a little big for us, The 4451 is 4"x11"x3/4", a little easier to hide from rocks and about $25 cheaper.

Does anyone already have one installed, will the smaller one be enough?

The 4452 may be a better fit for us, 5-3/4"x11"x3/4". A little bigger but made for mid-size.

[janesy86]

I beleive 'Zero' installed one, I'm sure his thread could be found with a simple search..

[Trail X]

For reference, this is a pretty good resource on the OS: http://forums.trailvoy.com/showthread.php?t=56573

As for size, any size will help. Not sure if there is an optimal size.

[Zero]

My write up should be on here somewhere......but I went with the b&m 13000btu trans cooler. If anything I would have gotten a bigger one. Nice thing about these coolers are that they self regulate the fluid temp. So you can really ever have too much cooling. I haven't seen temps above 172f yet.

[NC_IslandRunner]

Ok, Changing front brakes & rotors today when I see tranny fluid on ground and hanging onto pan...

Took it to shop that rebuilt transmission a few months ago and talked to manager, I did check fluid when I noticed the leak and it was over the full mark. They said with it that full when I tipped the truck up to change brakes it came out of vent,(need to raise vent anyway).

Anyway the reason I'm posting here is when they rebuilt it they installed a tranny cooler and didn't even mention it, said they put them on all rebuilds, it's mounted on the front of the radiator and I didn't even notice. Which is a good thing.

Marked off list!

[Trail X]

Interesting. Seems they would have charged extra for that - maybe it's an added assurance for their warranty.

How far did you tip it up? That sounds strange to have it leak at a couple degrees of incline.

While we're on the subject, I just ordered a trans cooler. I'm going a different route than most do. I think I'll mount mine on the side of the frame.

[NC_IslandRunner]

Interesting. Seems they would have charged extra for that - maybe it's an added assurance for their warranty.

How far did you tip it up? That sounds strange to have it leak at a couple degrees of incline.

While we're on the subject, I just ordered a trans cooler. I'm going a different route than most do. I think I'll mount mine on the side of the frame.

I'm sure it was in the price, said they only pay about $30 for the coolers, gotta love wholesale prices.

If it was a leak my fluid should be low. but did think it should take more of an angle to spill out vent.

[navigator]

I was thinking about this some, I'm unsure how much fluid the cooler actually holds but should add a degree more volume 1/2 quart, a quart, not sure.
It being elevated as well, you are adding more volume it wants to drain down to the tranny when the engine is not running.
jacking up the front end wants to push more fluid down, unsure how full the tranny is normally but if the cooler gets higher than the vent I guess it makes sense.
It would also make sense that on many hills you are at a steeper grade than jacking up for the brakes so moving your vent up makes sense there too.

[NC_IslandRunner]

Moving the vent may help going up steep hills but is more for deep water crossings, and thanks for pointing out the height of the trans cooler I hadn't thought about how it is above the trans. Also the farther away you mount it the more fluid it will take cause of the extra hose length.

[Gordinho80]

Can you post a pic of the cooler that the shop installed?

[chevycrew]

What I do on mine is keep the trans fluid goin into the radiator first, then into the aux cooler.

When its really hot, the radiator will cool it down some, then the aux even more.

When its really cold the radiator will actually help the fluid get warm, and the aux will keep it cooler than the antifreeze.

[Trail X]

I understand this line of thinking, but I think I'm going to do mine in reverse. This will ensure trans temps are proper for operation in all ambient temperatures, and also hopefully alleviate some of the cooling requirements of the radiator.

[NC_IslandRunner]

Can you post a pic of the cooler that the shop installed?

[chevycrew]

I understand this line of thinking, but I think I'm going to do mine in reverse. This will ensure trans temps are proper for operation in all ambient temperatures, and also hopefully alleviate some of the cooling requirements of the radiator.

I agree that doing it your way should help keep the engine coolant temps down more than mine.

I like seeing trans temps around 160 to 175. With my big block tow rig, the trans temps mirror the engine temps when stopped, but they drop to about 160 when cruising with the airflow through the aux factory cooler.

(note: my tow rig has a factory aux cooler after the radiator)

[Trail X]

This monster is getting stuffed in the wheel well... I think. Nowhere else I can think to stick it. 12x8 is bigger than I expected.

[chevycrew]

How about in the space above or behind the rear axle? I would be worried about filling that fan with mud and rocks in the wheel well.

3/8 steel hardline ran back to the cooler would be pretty durable, and you could tie in off the side of the trans.

[Trail X]

Mounted, but not yet wired or plumbed in. The mounting was a bit tricky because the frame leans over at a 10 or 15 degree angle between the two aluminum mounting supports that I put in. So I had to turn one of the aluminum blocks into a wedge in order to make it all fit right.



It gets a bit close to the tire on full lock, but I think I'd still have room to go to a 33 if I ever wanted to down the road, and still have clearance.

Steve, I looked around under the rear, but I didn't think there was really enough space. The late year trailblazers have a bunch of evaporative emissions controls up in there that your 2002 doesn't. I could have mounted it below the evap controls, but I thought twice about it because I remember I ripped my trailer connector off on a rock once. I don't want to do that to a trans cooler! Up in the wheel well, it's actually very guarded against rocks...the only possible problem would be getting it clogged with mud. But the same issue exists for the radiator.

[bartonmd]

James,

Is being mounted right up against the frame going to kill airflow to the bottom 1/2 of the cooler?

Mike

[Trail X]

The closest it gets is like a 3/4" gap. Should be plenty of space, considering the biggest restriction on the fan will be the fins itself.

[bartonmd]

OK, cool... Looked like it was right up on it, from the angle of the pic...

Mike