Mark42
Fleet Admiral
- Joined
- Oct 8, 2003
- Messages
- 9,334
I added a transmission oil cooler to my 98 Firebird. Mostly just to extend the fluid and transmission life. Cooler transmissions last twice as long as uncooled transmissions.
Although this was really a performance and maintenance upgrade for the Firebird, I thought it would be nice to share the install with the boat towing crowd.
First of all, the radiator on a Firebird is installed at a severe backward incline, with air ducting surrounding it. Basically, a real pain to work on, but enough about the Bird.....
I chose a 13,000 BTU cooler by B&M that is designed to be used in series with the OE radiator cooler (model 70268). The instructions were clear, all the necessary hardware was supplied in the kit (including NPT to hose barb adapters). The cooler was attached to the radiator using long "tie wraps" that are a special design. They are about 14" long, have a 1" button type "tie" end, and are very thick and heavy. More than strong enough to mount the cooler to the radiator. Rubber cushions were included. Alternate mountings, including steel brackets, are supplied too.
After physically mounting the cooler, the hose connections were made. The standard connection point is the output of the radiator cooler. The trans return line is disconnected from the radiator, and a NPT to hose barb fitting is screwed into the radiator, and another onto the trans hose. Then the two hoses from the B&M cooler push on to the hose barbs and are clamped with stainless clamps. This step took all of 15 minutes.
If you have even half way decent access to your radiator, this job can be done in under two hours. For towing a boat , a larger cooler, say about 18K BTU should be added. Also note that the B&M stacked plate cooler has great advantages over the regular tube and fin style coolers. Such as "low pressure drop" design that allows cold oil to bypass the cooler core to prevent trans oil pump starvation or severe pressure drops. Tube and fin coolers can not do that, and are a poor design for cold climates. Also, stacked plate coolers are more efficient than serpentine tube and fin coolers, and take up much less space for the same BTU rating.
All trans repair shops will tell you that cooler trans oil means longer trans life. A cooler is a great addition, and they are rather cheap! (my 13K btu cost less than $60 and included everything needed).
Anyway, if you want to add a trans cooler, I strongly suggest the B&M Stacked Plate coolers. Available in sizes up to 30,000 BTU's, its a cheap investment that will keep the trans running smooth, be it a sports car or tow rig.
Next is to see what is on the Sienna AWD we use for towing, and add a cooler or upgrade the cooler size.
Regards!
Mark
Although this was really a performance and maintenance upgrade for the Firebird, I thought it would be nice to share the install with the boat towing crowd.
First of all, the radiator on a Firebird is installed at a severe backward incline, with air ducting surrounding it. Basically, a real pain to work on, but enough about the Bird.....
I chose a 13,000 BTU cooler by B&M that is designed to be used in series with the OE radiator cooler (model 70268). The instructions were clear, all the necessary hardware was supplied in the kit (including NPT to hose barb adapters). The cooler was attached to the radiator using long "tie wraps" that are a special design. They are about 14" long, have a 1" button type "tie" end, and are very thick and heavy. More than strong enough to mount the cooler to the radiator. Rubber cushions were included. Alternate mountings, including steel brackets, are supplied too.
After physically mounting the cooler, the hose connections were made. The standard connection point is the output of the radiator cooler. The trans return line is disconnected from the radiator, and a NPT to hose barb fitting is screwed into the radiator, and another onto the trans hose. Then the two hoses from the B&M cooler push on to the hose barbs and are clamped with stainless clamps. This step took all of 15 minutes.
If you have even half way decent access to your radiator, this job can be done in under two hours. For towing a boat , a larger cooler, say about 18K BTU should be added. Also note that the B&M stacked plate cooler has great advantages over the regular tube and fin style coolers. Such as "low pressure drop" design that allows cold oil to bypass the cooler core to prevent trans oil pump starvation or severe pressure drops. Tube and fin coolers can not do that, and are a poor design for cold climates. Also, stacked plate coolers are more efficient than serpentine tube and fin coolers, and take up much less space for the same BTU rating.
All trans repair shops will tell you that cooler trans oil means longer trans life. A cooler is a great addition, and they are rather cheap! (my 13K btu cost less than $60 and included everything needed).
Anyway, if you want to add a trans cooler, I strongly suggest the B&M Stacked Plate coolers. Available in sizes up to 30,000 BTU's, its a cheap investment that will keep the trans running smooth, be it a sports car or tow rig.
Next is to see what is on the Sienna AWD we use for towing, and add a cooler or upgrade the cooler size.
Regards!
Mark
