For normal driving condition, is it worthy to install a tranny cooler ? What brand do you use ?

Thanks

Yes, I have one.

What are normal driving conditions for you?

For me, it's about 150 miles a month street, stop and go.
About another 150/mo if showing or racing, and LACR used to be 104+degrees

DaveO is on the upper desert and averages 2 degrees below hell during the spring/summer and 3 degrees above Santa's workshop during the fall/winter.

It's not so much about the daily driving conditions, as it is about lowering the temp of your oil trans to prevent glazing. Here is a chart that has been around for a while:



So you know, we actually have a small trans cooler as part of our oem radiator, but that is sometime referred to (jokingly) as the trans pre-heater. Since its only an inch or two high, at the bottom of the radiator. When I had my custom Griffin radiator built, they also put in a cooler on the bottom. Their AT cooling although more efficient, it was not much larger, I still didn't think it was enough.

Prior to the Griffin radiator, my temps could get up to 220-240 during "anti-ideal" conditions during SoCal freeway traffic and running at LACR. I even had times running through Angeles crest where the trans got so hot, it stopped allowing me to use the MM until it cooled down.

After the Griffin, I got it down to around 200-210 during those same conditions, and no MM lockout.

So when I installed the new built trans I had a B&M Supercooler installed. What is good about the B&M supercoolers is that they have a bypass valve in them, so if the temp is too low, it will allow a controlled amount of ATF to bypass the stacked plate core.

Most folks will install their coolers inline, like this:


Another thing to note is that there is no difference between an oil cooler and a transmission cooler. Most can be used for ATF, engine oil, differential fluid, power steering or tubo oil (but don't mix them after use). The only thing you need to look out for are the connectors/nipple sizes. In any case, the B&M "tranny"-specific coolers were all smaller, so I opted for a B&M #70274 which is an 11"x11" - the largest trans cooler they have is 11"x7.5".

I also have a Stillen engine oil cooler, but I like B&Ms for price. Most name brand companies that market coolers under their name actually use Earl's (made by Holley now), B&M or other sources (as in Stillen's case)



So, in the end it is a personal choice... one that I highly subscribe to now that i am in the 190-195 range

^^ wow, nice post...wish I read that last year when I had tranny issues lol

I also had the B&M super cooler installed. Great product for the price!

Thanks for the response.
Where do you guys have the B&M mounted ? In front of the radiator (between bumper and radiator) ?

mine is behind the grill, but I have an aftermarket bumper, which incorporates the grill

I have an aero bumper.

My oil cooler is mounted with the supplied bracket to the lower left radiator/supports.

My tranny cooler was riveted to (& behind) the big support brace, center right. So yes, between the bumper and the radiator.

Is this a DIY job guys? .. sorry for the ignorance, but I am really interested if I can do it on my own =)

I won't worry too much about the oil temp with Canada's winter but during summer time, it can get a bit hot here too

Ted - that was a great post.

It can be a do it yourself job, the biggest problem I had when i looked at it was where the heck to mount it. I def didn't have the rivet gun that GTM used and there's not much space for more brackets.

Find a shop... I'd expect them to charge anywhere from $150 to $300 for the install. Make sure to use braided hose, too... I prefer Earl's Prolite 350, since it can bend more and is not abrasive.

-T

Added caveat... please make sure to fill up with only Nissan J-type ATF fluid!