Automatic Transmission Fluid Cooler. ??

[Lunatic]

Just an up date. After installing my supercharger I had so much stacked up in front of the radiator I moved my engine and transmission coolers outward behind the now removed fog lights.

[majixmatrix]

Originally Posted by Lunatic

Just an up date. After installing my supercharger I had so much stacked up in front of the radiator I moved my engine and transmission coolers outward behind the now removed fog lights.

Dang this is a sick setup! How do your temperatures look?

Has anybody explored the addition of airflow like a fan on the stock AT cooler? Would that get you anywhere?

[jeschris45]

Hey guys,

Was wondering what is the fluid direction of the lines from the transmission/auxiliary cooler? I had my trans cooler installed and looks like I am getting some abnormal noises from the lines. Just want to make sure it is routed correctly.

[KDad2]

Quick question: Is the hose from the auxiliary oil cooler and from the transmission the same sized 3/8" ID?

[shr133]

Trans fluid lines are 3/8...

[FRSBRZGT86FAN]

Originally Posted by majixmatrix

Dang this is a sick setup! How do your temperatures look?

Has anybody explored the addition of airflow like a fan on the stock AT cooler? Would that get you anywhere?

I'm sure the stock AT cooler is just a heat exchanger based off the engine coolant

[shr133]

Originally Posted by nlowell

I had the car up in the air today doing some prep for Buttonwillow and took a picture of the oil cooler connection points. This is looking from the front towards the stock cooler.



I also decided to cut some slits in my fender liner like suggested. I just cut some horizontal lines with some small vertical cuts on the end. The middle part ended up popping out which provides protection from debris while letting air escape out the top and bottom. Not the prettiest but hopefully functional. Again, Sithspawn's work is no doubt going to be better

From my truck I learned these units both heats and cools, the coolant is running around 190 so trans is already too hot just normal operating. My truck I bypass the radiator and added another cooler no more problems..

I disconnect the "coolant lines" and just run the cooler. Seams ok for street use non boosted so far. Stock it would get hot after a few hard launches.

I also flushed and went full synthetic redline mix of dextron IV "D6" and Dextron III "D4", the stock fluid heats up really quick the redline holds up much better and shifts harder.

For track days I will need a to add a cooler...

[KDad2]

Originally Posted by shr133

Trans fluid lines are 3/8...

Awesome! I think I'm good to go then. Not a bad idea on the bypass.

[seekerof86]

So I'm thinking of adding a cooler to my dd/couple times a year track day car. I plan on running some open track days mostly and need a cooler that will be up to task. I saw the stark performance setup and I'm wondering if a bigger cooler wouldn't be better? Say a 6 25 row setup. I'm guessing that it won't fit behind the fog lamps/right side of bumper? I won't be running FI so I do have space in center bumper. What do you guys think? Anyone running a bigger cooler?

Thanks

[seekerof86]

Guys,



Does anyone have the manual for stark performance cooler, the installation guide?


Thanks

[Lonewolf]

Originally Posted by seekerof86

Guys,



Does anyone have the manual for stark performance cooler, the installation guide?


Thanks

I'm not sure how active he is anymore but have you tried contacting him here:


https://www.facebook.com/StarkPerformanceParts/

[Tristor]

He's been active on the Forums and assisted me. You can also see my installation in my build thread, I also wrote a thorough DIY guide on the fluid exchange protocol.

[Lonewolf]

Originally Posted by Tristor

He's been active on the Forums and assisted me. You can also see my installation in my build thread, I also wrote a thorough DIY guide on the fluid exchange protocol.

Would you mind linking those threads?

[Tristor]

Originally Posted by Lonewolf

Would you mind linking those threads?

Looks like you found one of the threads already. The other was more of a question thread I linked from my build thread that discusses mounting the inline thermostat. Personally, given the fact I'm located in South Texas, I regret using the thermostat because it's one additional item to think about which is not really necessary in my climate. In your climate though it might be essential. http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=129845

You can use my DIY thread which was spawned out of the above as well to get details on how to do the fluid changeover. I recommend Redline D6 ATF. Despite being a bit of an AMSOil fanboy, I found that the Redline D6 ATF worked the best under track use. Similarly I found that the Motul Gear 300 worked best in the diff over the AMSOil under track use. I believe AMSOil is more formulated for the types of high loads on diffs/ATs that occur from towing vs racetrack usage. Redline/Motul seem more oriented towards track usage and my butt dyno/datalogs seem to evidence that. I still run AMSOil for my engine oil.

Also in another old ATF thread there's a quick n dirty guide on how to "flush" your AT. Never ever hook an AT up to a pressurized flush machine, these things are bad news. Instead you can "flush" it using the lines you have to pull from the factory AT heat exchanger to install your Stark Performance ATF cooler anyway. I didn't do this since my car was so new, but if you want to, I'd recommend doing a full fluid flush, then finishing the ATF cooler install, and then adding additional fluid for another PRNDM cycle before doing the leveling procedure to ensure you can fill the cooler (if you use the thermostat you'll need to get the AT up to temp to open the thermostat and then let the car cool before leveling).

Originally Posted by Fast_Freddy

Also, this is a great way to flush your ATF. I distrust those flush machines since some of them can damage your trans. Simply drain the trans and refill. This will change roughly 1/2 of the total ATF. Next disconnect the line leading from the external cooler to the trans and route it to a suitable empty container. Start the engine and let the trans pump out 2 qts of old ATF. Stop engine, add 2 qts new ATF and repeat until new ATF enters container. You should see a distinct color change. If not, go by the quantity drained/added. This method achieves a complete flush and can be done anywhere in about an hour.

Hope all of the above helps. If you have questions, you can just DM me. Not many AT owners that actually drive their cars, so there's not as much information out there.