Official Tranny Cooler Thread for the 2GS
06-18-07, 12:12 PM
#16
it never hurts to add a tranny cooler. My stop and go driving is really abusive on all fluids in my car. Even Amsoil ATF alone was no match. It started to turn dark within a few thousand miles. Ever since I added the tranny cooler, the fluid color has been the same with no indication of additional wear on the fluid addictives.
Not to mention my car shifts smoother over the long run when I'm sitting in traffic
Not to mention my car shifts smoother over the long run when I'm sitting in traffic
06-18-07, 12:50 PM
#17
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Tranny coolers are NOT an useless mod. Automatic transmission temperatures can reach upwards of 250 + degrees. With such temperatures, transmission can fail easily due to a number of different issues, including seals and gaskets being over heated, etc.
Personally, I don't care what type of fluids you use. Yes, it is very reasonable to assume that there are good and bad fluids, but all fluids are subjected to deteriorate due to heat. Some fluids are better quality then others, enabling it to with stand more abuse, while others can't. What it comes down to is the fact that when your fluid does eventually deteriorate, the viscosity will no longer be sufficient to protect your transmission. You can rely on the fact that good fluids can get you through the day, but personally, I’d prefer to prevent my tranny from going out by spending around $200. Then to have to worry about if I ran my car too hard today, should I consider changing out the fluids, but it’s not due for another 2000 miles.
Someone also mentioned that they are using stainless steel lines to run from the tranny cooler to the tranny. Just a heads up, I have read somewhere that the proper stainless lines to use are the ones that are coated with Teflon inserts. The normal stainless lines are consisted of rubber and something with ATF being capable of seeping through. I will looking this information up and post it late on.
Personally, I don't care what type of fluids you use. Yes, it is very reasonable to assume that there are good and bad fluids, but all fluids are subjected to deteriorate due to heat. Some fluids are better quality then others, enabling it to with stand more abuse, while others can't. What it comes down to is the fact that when your fluid does eventually deteriorate, the viscosity will no longer be sufficient to protect your transmission. You can rely on the fact that good fluids can get you through the day, but personally, I’d prefer to prevent my tranny from going out by spending around $200. Then to have to worry about if I ran my car too hard today, should I consider changing out the fluids, but it’s not due for another 2000 miles.
Someone also mentioned that they are using stainless steel lines to run from the tranny cooler to the tranny. Just a heads up, I have read somewhere that the proper stainless lines to use are the ones that are coated with Teflon inserts. The normal stainless lines are consisted of rubber and something with ATF being capable of seeping through. I will looking this information up and post it late on.
06-18-07, 01:04 PM
#18
it never hurts to add a tranny cooler. My stop and go driving is really abusive on all fluids in my car. Even Amsoil ATF alone was no match. It started to turn dark within a few thousand miles. Ever since I added the tranny cooler, the fluid color has been the same with no indication of additional wear on the fluid addictives.
Not to mention my car shifts smoother over the long run when I'm sitting in traffic
Not to mention my car shifts smoother over the long run when I'm sitting in traffic
That is why Consumer Reports used NYC yellow taxi cabs in that test of motor oils they conducted some years back. Get the tranny cooler if you guys do want "added protection". I just see it as overkill on a street application with less than 400hp & 400lb ft. of torque.
06-18-07, 01:24 PM
#19
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I actually agree with you on this statment. Vehicles are tested and built with a lot of consideration involved. I am sure everyone's seen in magazines and shows where newly designed vehicles are put through a rigourous amount of beating and abuse. The same thing goes for motor oil, transmission oil, ATF, brake fluid, etc. With the amount of technology in vehicles and also fluids now a days, I think it is safe to say that if you are driving your car under 'normal' circumstances (hard or not), you should be just fine. If a fairly stock vehicle's looking for an added protection, upgrade to a better fluid. That should be plenty sufficient enough as far as protection goes. For those that autocross, putting out significant amount of power, etc, should really consider going to a tranny cooler setup.
I recall you doing a drain and refill only with Amsoil. Mixing the Amsoil universal with the old Toyota Type IV will not yield the same results and added benefit as a full fluid exchange. I have more than 20k on my Amsoil tranny fluid and it is still bright red (with no external tranny cooler). Nothing beats NYC traffic. That is why Consumer Reports used NYC yellow taxi cabs in that test of motor oils they conducted some years back. Get the tranny cooler if you guys do want "added protection". I just see it as overkill on a street application with less than 400hp & 400lb ft. of torque.
That is why Consumer Reports used NYC yellow taxi cabs in that test of motor oils they conducted some years back. Get the tranny cooler if you guys do want "added protection". I just see it as overkill on a street application with less than 400hp & 400lb ft. of torque.
06-18-07, 01:30 PM
#20
I recall you doing a drain and refill only with Amsoil. Mixing the Amsoil universal with the old Toyota Type IV will not yield the same results and added benefit as a full fluid exchange. I have more than 20k on my Amsoil tranny fluid and it is still bright red (with no external tranny cooler). Nothing beats NYC traffic. That is why Consumer Reports used NYC yellow taxi cabs in that test of motor oils they conducted some years back. Get the tranny cooler if you guys do want "added protection". I just see it as overkill on a street application with less than 400hp & 400lb ft. of torque.
That is why Consumer Reports used NYC yellow taxi cabs in that test of motor oils they conducted some years back. Get the tranny cooler if you guys do want "added protection". I just see it as overkill on a street application with less than 400hp & 400lb ft. of torque.Yes sir! I did a drain and refill many times. There is about 80% amsoil in my tranny right now. But still, even with 80%, the amsoil would turn a bit dark. After I got the tranny cooler in, the color stayed the same ever since.
06-18-07, 01:32 PM
#21
I have 90K on my car and am adding this PI TC (2900 stall) and 3.76 LSD. I'm sure I'll be mashing the pedal a little more and would be REAL upset if my tranny starts to slip because added stress/heat especially if I didn't add a tranny cooler.
06-18-07, 07:59 PM
#23
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gill- not sure on how long you have had that cooler on for, but you may want to put something between the radiator and the stainless lines. cant tell from the pic if you already have something or not, but just a friendly suggestion. ive seen that stuff saw through pretty much anything you put it next to, and it sometimes doesnt take long to do it.
06-18-07, 08:39 PM
#24
Another reason why I went with an external cooler is that I did not want the auxiliary cooler to be heated up by the engine's coolant. Some people use the tranny cooler after the aux. cooler for even more cooling capacity.
06-18-07, 08:54 PM
#26
I got mine for $60 shipped. The particular model I have is the B&M 70264, if i remember correctly. It's good for up to 24,000lb GVW ()
It's $55 shipped from amazon
http://www.amazon.com/B-M-70264-Supe...2225006&sr=8-1
A tranny cooler can only help, especially if you tend to have a heavy foot, which I know you do
I dont remember what the OEM RX cooler looks like (I know LexMex posted a pic once), but if it's the older fin-and-tube style, it can be upgraded to the B&M's stacked design that offers more efficient cooling. This is optional however. Many RX'ers may not need an upgrade at all.
Best $60 i've spent!
)It's $55 shipped from amazon
http://www.amazon.com/B-M-70264-Supe...2225006&sr=8-1
A tranny cooler can only help, especially if you tend to have a heavy foot, which I know you do
I dont remember what the OEM RX cooler looks like (I know LexMex posted a pic once), but if it's the older fin-and-tube style, it can be upgraded to the B&M's stacked design that offers more efficient cooling. This is optional however. Many RX'ers may not need an upgrade at all.
Best $60 i've spent!
Last edited by GSteg; 06-19-07 at 09:33 AM.
06-18-07, 09:11 PM
#28
It's a DIY job. Only two hoses to connect. The time consuming part is probably mounting the cooler itself. The front bumper needs to be removed for easier access, unless you have one of those RMM front bumper that makes it easier
I say the job takes 1-2 hours for most people, but time flies quickly.
mEx_lEx, you can probably benefit from a tranny cooler, seeing that you live in Arizona!
I say the job takes 1-2 hours for most people, but time flies quickly.
mEx_lEx, you can probably benefit from a tranny cooler, seeing that you live in Arizona!
06-18-07, 09:18 PM
#29
[QUOTE=mEx_lEx, you can probably benefit from a tranny cooler, seeing that you live in Arizona![/QUOTE]
Yes anything that will protect any part of my car from the heat is useful because the sun out here is killer. The worst part is that I will have to park my car in the sun with absolutely no shade for the following two weeks. I have raised my paint and leather care alert level to red.
Yes anything that will protect any part of my car from the heat is useful because the sun out here is killer. The worst part is that I will have to park my car in the sun with absolutely no shade for the following two weeks. I have raised my paint and leather care alert level to red.
06-19-07, 01:16 AM
#30
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Someone also mentioned that they are using stainless steel lines to run from the tranny cooler to the tranny. Just a heads up, I have read somewhere that the proper stainless lines to use are the ones that are coated with Teflon inserts. The normal stainless lines are consisted of rubber and something with ATF being capable of seeping through. I will looking this information up and post it late on.
Someone also mentioned that they are using stainless steel lines to run from the tranny cooler to the tranny. Just a heads up, I have read somewhere that the proper stainless lines to use are the ones that are coated with Teflon inserts. The normal stainless lines are consisted of rubber and something with ATF being capable of seeping through. I will looking this information up and post it late on.
gill- not sure on how long you have had that cooler on for, but you may want to put something between the radiator and the stainless lines. cant tell from the pic if you already have something or not, but just a friendly suggestion. ive seen that stuff saw through pretty much anything you put it next to, and it sometimes doesnt take long to do it.