Tranny cooler

[phil_long]

What up guys, just have a quick question about this external tranny cooler thats used for the install in the F-Body radiator swap.  Has anyone extended the tranny lines and use the cooler built on the F-body radiator?  I'm ordering everything now and I'm just curious if it's possible?  Need some instructions if it is possible.  Thanks

[gnonyx]

I hope this will help you out,; this is how I did mine

[phil_long]

Thanks for the pic and input, but i was wondering if it was possible to do without an external cooler.  The installation instructions of the F-body swap mentions that an external cooler is assumed to be used, but it CAN be done without one.  There's supposedly fittings on the f-body radiator for the tranny lines, but due to the lines on our car routing to the passenger side, an external cooler is being used.  Is this not correct?  I want to know if anyone run this setup without an external tranny cooler and used the one on the f-body radiator.  Thanks

[earlbrown]

If you bend up some lines, anythings possible.....




......but you really need an external transmission cooler

[phil_long]

ok.  the instructions dont specify a part number for the tranny cooler, so does that mean i can just buy two of the same oil coolers and just use one for the oil and the other for the tranny?

[ULYCYC]

There is one cooler in the F body radiator.  Our cars have a oil and trans cooler in the radiator. So if your not using the oil cooler then the Fbody radiator can be used for the trans.
And your next question, You really don't need the oil cooler.

[phil_long]

Well, I already purchased the oil cooler because I was going based on the installation instructions.  It never mentions what cooler is being used for the transmission.  Ed, are you saying i should cancel my order??  I just want to be certain I have everything correct before spending any more money.  Right now, all i have ordered is the Oil Cooler.  Im in the position to order the fittings as well, but i might need to order more or less depending on what other parts are required.  Sorry to sound dense, but now im a bit confused as to what is NEEDED for the swap.  Thanks

[gnonyx]

Is there a reason of not using the radiator cooler for oil and then get an external tranny cooler to what size you need! Is there a purpose of keeping the oil cooler than the tranny?
Most use the radiator for cooling the engine oil and then using an external tranny cooling system.

[ULYCYC]

Well, I already purchased the oil cooler because I was going based on the installation instructions.  It never mentions what cooler is being used for the transmission.  Ed, are you saying i should cancel my order??  I just want to be certain I have everything correct before spending any more money.  Right now, all i have ordered is the Oil Cooler.  Im in the position to order the fittings as well, but i might need to order more or less depending on what other parts are required.  Sorry to sound dense, but now im a bit confused as to what is NEEDED for the swap.  Thanks

The trans needs a cooler. It can be external or in the radiator or both as some do.  The engine oil cooler in not needed unless your racing hard or live where temps go over 100 deg often.   I would cancel the engine oil cooler and use the Fbody radiator for cooling the trans fluid assuming your not doing what I mentioned above.

[Steve Wood]

Phil, I would suggest using the cooler you ordered for additional tranny cooling and plumb it as in the diagram shown above.  This will significantly add to the tranny life.

Ed is right, you can eliminate the oil cooler.  To do so, you can either connect the ends of the two hoses together so they loop, or you can remove the oil filter adapter from the oil filter mount and get rid of the hoses all together.  The one thing you should not do is disconnect the hoses and plug the holes in the cooler adapter.

[phil_long]

Ok i got it now.  Starting to make sense.  Thanks fellas

[phil_long]

after doing some research, it seems that some guys decided to go with http://www.summitracing.com/parts/AER-FBM1203/ for the engine cooler adapter.  I've read that part #4740-8B leaks.  any thoughts?

[phil_long]

anyone have experience with the aluminum 3 row radiator for $375?  Just looking at my options

[Steve Wood]

I am sure it is a good radiator if you want to spend the money.  I have a big aluminium unit on one of my cars that has a front mount..but, I would still suggest the external tranny cooler in conjunction with the one in the radiator

[phil_long]

Really?  Reading up on all of this has backfired.  It's going to take 2-3 weeks to get all the fittings, and having to find the time.  Based on Ed's response, if i wasnt running the oil cooler, then i could use the rad for the cooling of the tranny.  Reading your recent post, I would still need an external cooling device in conjuction the with the radiator regardless of the radiator i choose?(F-body or 3 row aluminum)  thanks for the responses