transmission cooler?

keyfish · #1 05-11-2005, 03:21 PM

I have a 97 F150 with the worst possible set-up for towing (4.2 with 3.08 dif) and I have no choice at this time, but to use it to tow my boat (2100 + 400lbs payload). I want/need to install a cooler and would like input on the best possible unit for my truck. I've been looking at B&M and Troyer, any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
Tom

Register today or sign-in to remove these ads!

zapster · #2 05-11-2005, 10:38 PM

get whatever you want and mount it in front of the radiator however you please...and dont take this personally...you will get 20 diffrent oppinions from 20 guys...i personally by pass the radiator with the cooling lines alltogether...but here we go again...and have no problems to report yet...anyone else?...zap!

desparado · #3 05-12-2005, 01:16 AM

I agree with zapster. Because of custom grill and 3 core intercooler, I bought the fan cooled Derale fin and plate cooler. I added the thermostat control which turns it on at 180 degrees. This was to help at crowded boat launch ramps in 115 degree heat in Arizona. It also helps at low speed pulling when you have insufficient air flow. You can mount it out of the direct flow of air and it still works great.

All in all, any cooler is a plus, and yes, I think you should bypass the radiator.

keyfish · #4 05-12-2005, 10:38 AM

Thanks guys, I was leaning toward the fan cooled Troyer, but I have a few questions. Is there a benefit to bypassing the rad and is it better to mount a fan cooled cooler in front of the rad in airflow? Just a thought, does bypassing the rad have an added benefit of making the rad more efficient at cooling the engine by removing an additional heat source?

desparado · #5 05-12-2005, 12:28 PM

If you're going to mount in front of the radiator, you don't need the fan unless you have cooling issues at low speed or idle. However, if you are like me, you want to overdo everything. I think the Troyer fan is a Derale. As far as benefit to bypassing the rad, zapster had it right. There are 20 guys who will disagree for every 20 who agree. My thought is this: ambient air is much cooler than rad fluid and certainly more plentiful and efficient. If it increases the rad efficiency by 1/1000 of a percent...well sounds good to me.

keyfish · #6 05-12-2005, 01:11 PM

Desparado, Thanks for the quick reply. I agree with your logic on ambient air temp verse preheated liquid in this case, however, liquid on liquid is a more efficient heat exchanger. I'm going to bypass the rad.
Thanks,
Tom

casey_1 · #7 05-12-2005, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by keyfish
I'm going to bypass the rad.

Watch your trans temps closely, especially when backing. Without the VERY efficient cooler in the radiator you may have low speed cooling problems, especially when backing a trailer.

MitchF150 · #8 05-12-2005, 03:14 PM

I've got a trans temp gauge and mounted the sensor in the trans output line, just before it enters the rad. If you bypass the rad, you should have a fan on the aux trans cooler IMO.

I have gotten my trans temp (note, after the TC) up to 210* while backing my trailer up a slight incline before. My trans temp will rise to 180* pretty fast, just when I back up my driveway!

Granted, my temp is reflecting the heat generated by the unlocked TC, so it's gonna be much hotter then what is really flowing in the pan.... But, that still means the FLUID is that hot, so having it run thru the rad WILL cool it down to a managable temp, especially in low air flow situations.

Consider you have almost 6 gallons of coolant flowing. Even a single core rad will be able to handle any additional heat it takes from the trans fluid.

Once the TC locks, the temp lowers pretty fast too.

Just like was said above.... 20 guys will bypass and 20 guys will not..... Neither is wrong, you just have to evaluate what you want it to do and understand what each cooler is doing and why....

Good luck!

Mitch

keyfish · #9 05-12-2005, 03:44 PM

Wow, zap was right. Seems I stirred up the old, to bypass or not to bypass controversy. As with zap's and desparado's logical conclusion to bypass, I also see the merit of using the radiator for backing and slow speeds, but I would think by using a cooler with a temp regulated fan that would solve that problem. This must be the point in the discussion where you throw in the towel and go into overkill mode and just do both.
Tom

MitchF150 · #10 05-12-2005, 04:38 PM

You are correct keyfish!

Oh, I do have the stock aux trans cooler as well, just in case that was misuderstood.......

Works for me so that's what I go with! (Oh, I have a TWO core rad, so my engine cooling does very well..... I also have a real water temp gauge, so I know exactly what it's doing too!)

You gotta do what you gotta do and since it's your truck, so you do what you wanna do!

Mitch