Transmission Cooler?

[LeSabreUltra]

Heat's got me thinking about getting one. But I don't know if it would be worth it or not...

Buick's got 147,000 miles on it now, fluid + filter (transmission) was just changed earlier this year. Mods are: PLIM, 180* thermo, Intense FWI, MagnaFlow cat, Flowmaster 80.

I don't do any towing and when I do drive it, it's pretty much just cruising around town at about 30-50 mph or so with a few stops here and there. I don't travel in it much BUT I will be making a 900 mile round trip down to Florida for the SEBF this year. I would describe the terrain around here as rolling hills...the car rarely has to downshift to get up them.

I'm not seeing any signs of slipping or whatnot but I do notice that once my trans heats up fully it does occasionally shift a bit on the hard side...mostly on the 1-2 and 3-4 shift. Sometimes the TCC engaging can be a little clunky too if I catch it offguard.

Just like to get your opinions on this. I'm not looking to spend a lot because quite honestly I do not have a lot to spend. I was thinking about this one:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Automati ... enameZWDVW

But would be willing to consider others.

Insight appreciated!
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[Jrs3800]

Dan,

I have The Hayden 22000 GVWR Cooler on my 91 LE, and the Hayden Performance 28000 GVWR Cooler on the 95 Bonneville...

If you don't want the trans too cool you can run in tandem with the stock radiator cooler... You will need a $10-$15 Tran Line( for Bonneville with Tow Package or HD Cooling through 95 ) And you would also need the U Bend for the top port of the radiator... If you would like a couple of Pics I have some someplace...lol

In my eyes even for around town driving its worth it, especially on a hot summer day... The 4T60-E seems to like to get hot... I have seen 230F easily on a hot day and that was running through town, not even beating on the car.... With the Cooler I was closer to 180F on the trans.... This will make a huge difference in how long the trans will last in my eyes.. The trans should get warm, but when you start getting to 200F and then surpass it, the trans life will go down hill...

I'd say its worth it to install a cooler on your car.. Being in Alabama I know it does get good and warm there..

[LeSabreUltra]

Thanks Don, I ended up finding one up in the attic on a suggestion that there may be one in there, and there was.

It's a little one, but it's still brand new in the box with all the fittings and such. It's size is 5" x 12.5". Brand is Imperial, by Hayden, so I feel it's probably well made.

On the box it says it's application is for small to mid size vehicles, no towing. I suppose since my use of the car really is light duty, this should be sufficient, or at least better than nothing, right?

I gotta get back to my oil + filter change, but it looks like I'm gonna need an adapter fitting as well...
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[willwren]

That should do well for a daily driver.

I also have a 28000 gvwr on the zilla to protect the custom trans. It bypass itself when too cold, preventing overcooling (viscosity controlled).

[LeSabreUltra]

Great, I'll go ahead and get started on it. First though I need to see about finding this adapter. Going to try Advance Auto.
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[Jrs3800]

Dan will you be running in Tandem with the Stock Cooler?

[LeSabreUltra]

Dan will you be running in Tandem with the Stock Cooler?

Not sure yet. That bottom trans connector looks like a pain in the ass to get to.

Sounds like it would be the better way to go, though.
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[LeSabreUltra]

Well, I got it in. Turns out I'm going to need another adapter and more hose to bypass the radiator but I'll get to that.

It isn't pretty, but it works.







I know that bend looks tight, but it meets the 6" minimum diameter curve as specified in the instructions.

While driving, I did notice that shifts seemed to be a bit smoother than before...not a whole lot, but a bit. Of course, they weren't violently rough or anything to begin with just a little clunky at times. I didn't experience any big clunks so that's positive.

Hand testing the lines didn't really tell me much. At the point of the cooler both lines felt about the same in temperature but on up closer to the radiator the line coming out of the cooler was...cooler. Now that I type it out, I guess that was sort of conclusive after all.

Went on a short then long test drive and didn't experience any leaks. Felt around the fittings for fluid and felt none.

Anyway, I hope this will help extend the life of my trans.
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[JMH1950]

Excellent!!

A two trans cooler day at PontiacBonnevilleclub.com.

[LeSabreUltra]

Excellent!!

A two trans cooler day at PontiacBonnevilleclub.com.

I wish my finished product had ended up looking as nice as yours but hey...cool temps are cool temps, right?
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[willwren]

I bet I know the part number of that cooler. It's the same exact one (I bought 2) that I used for my internal Intercooler core (inside my LIM) after cutting/modifying it a bit.

[LeSabreUltra]

If it's 242009 you would be correct.

Metal parts of the trans lines are still too hot to touch but the rubber hoses aren't, so I suppose everything is working as it should. Hopefully I'll see cooler temps once I bypass the radiator altogether.
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