TRANSMISSION cooler advice needed

[410Fortune]

Okay people I have a question.

I am looking for a more efficient transmission cooler.
Currently I am running a 10" electric fan as a pusher mounted directly to a Hayden motorhome transmission cooler. I also have heat shielding around my rubber transmission lines, I have the cooler run in series with the Explorer automatic radiator, a full fan shroud, and the Explorer 11 blade nylon engine drive fan and HD clutch.

My custom built A4LD transmission also has a Autometer trans temo gage with the sender in the pan, and a custom aluminum pan with 2 quart additional capacity.

The transmission runs at 150-175 degrees for normal driving, mountains, 4x4ing, it doesnt matter. It runs cool.
However with the boat in tow I have had to pull over to let it cool, trans temps have seen 220+

Now mind you I know this is a big boat for a little truck, but it is well within the abilities to tow of the 4.0L and A4LD, or should be.

I believe the Hayden cooler is just a cheapo tube and fin cooler and its just not efficient enough to keep up.

Does anybody recommend a different style, and brand of cooler? Perma Cool?
$$$ is not an object, because if it keeps this sucker cool, it will be worth every penny. The 10" fan will cool it down prettyy quickly, but this setup cannot keep the temps from climbing once the trans gets up to about 190..especially with me on 33's pulling the boat up steep hills to the lake

 

[410Fortune]

OKay nevermind I found all the info I needed, talked with the people around here in CA who know best, Kartek and Transwerks and came up with this:

http://www.bmracing.com/products/acc_tranCoolers/superCooler.html

I ordered the 70274 from Summit, will be here tomorrow
This cooler SHOULD solve all my problems with towing & heat....
I would have purchased the unit with built in fan and thermo switch, but the B&M fan can only be used as a puller and I have mine mounted as a pusher...

 

[MONMIX]

I have the B&M in my Ex and I had one on my 65 Impala ( sniff, sniff I miss that car )
The quality of the cooler is super impressive.
The instal kit comes with every thing for serveral instal options.
Best tranny cooler for the money in my opinion.

***Edit***
Look at the fine print, yours does not come with an instal kit.
Keep that in mind !!!!

 

[cjbarron5]

yes but 220+ is not bad thats about normal with a stock cooler ive seen some trucks run at almost 300 i would start to get worried at about 275-280 dont get me wrong i have 2 aftermarkets and the stock one on mine and im all for cooler trannys but remember you CAN over do it

 

[410Fortune]

Yes I know that ATF begins to break down at 250 and most full synthetics at 275.

You can overdue it, but at the cost of another custom A4LD rebuild before it's time? No thanks! I would rather have piece of mind and pull over at 220 and climbing...
Like I said it only takes a few minutes to drop it back down...

As often as I change my ATF I have decided to run Quaker state ATF, its available at Wal Mart in 5 quart jugs for a decent price, I have also been told synth is a waste of $$$ by Brian at Transwerks, who knows what he is talking about for sure.
My best friend in CO, well his older brother is head of maintenence for Jefferson County Fire and Rescue, they maintain all recue vehicles and Ambulances, he says those trannys see 280 degrees all the time and swears by synth, so I guess it depends on who you talk too, but I personally will be fine with conventional ATF, frequent changes, and pulling over before it gets too hot

New cooler will be here tomorrow, go in this weekend, I will update with my findings.
I will be towing the boat back to CO next Friday, so it will be a good test for it

 

[LukeDog3D]

I have the same b&m cooler on mine. I don't have a temp gauge, so I don't know how well it works, but my fluid always looks healthy...the cooler looks good...i like it. It was kind of a pain in the ass to drive all over looking for the fittings that I needed since there was no install kit, but it's worth it.

 

[IAmTodd]

I have the B&M also. I haven't seen temps over 180. Although thats after it goes through the radiator too.

 

[Hartman]

I need to get one of these. Mine tops out at 210 after 15-20+ of driving. Lots of strain on it I guess.

 

[Bill MacLeod]

410:

Any update as to whether the B&M cooler solved your concerns?

 

[glfredrick]

410,
I just found this thread...

I was going to recommend the plate type coolers - they are way more efficient than the tube types, but I see that you already found one...

Let us know what you discover. I saw your setup at Moab and you have already gone past what a lot of us have done, cooler wise...

 

[spitfiresk822]

410, I know this is an old thread but came across it in search of finding a good tranny cooler. Just got my temp gauge in, and after 15 minutes on the highway I got it up to 190, too hot my likings considered I offroad it and tow occasionally. I cant even imagine what I've gotten it up to before, and with over 140,000 miles on the stock trans, I could use a cooler.
So how did the B and M work out for you, I'm looking into the one that comes with the thermostatic fan, but it says it kicks in at 175, still a little too high for my likings.
What I'm thinking about doing is getting it, and wiring the fan to a switch, so I can turn it on whenever I think I need it.
Any advice would be appreciated, thanks

 

[inh]

I have the smaller B&M, about 7 inches tall and 11 inches wide. I've been seeing the same temps as you have with your old cooler, and am going to upgrade to the same one you got. Curious as to how it has worked out thus far =]

I also feel that an electric radiator fan would be great as well. Being able to set it to full speed when you arent moving much would help a lot. I think a big part of keeping trans temps down is keeping radiator temps down, as that is where most of the heat is sucked out of the fluid.