Forum Discussion

Jerry_B's avatar
Jerry_B
Explorer
Oct 04, 2014

Transmission Aux cooler help

I want to improve transmission cooling on my 4L80E equipped Chevy 3500. The factory aux cooler installed is 11"W X 5.5"H X 1.5"Deep. I have a quality HD cooler I removed from my MH that measures 11"W X 10"H X 3/4" deep. Both are stacked plate types. I can't find space to add the cooler in series with the existing aux cooler, so I have to use one or the other. Anyone have any idea which one will cool the best with one having a larger overall size and the other being twice as deep? Thanks.
  • The only problem with the transmission getting hot is when I return home and spend about an hour getting the trailer backed into a long very narrow parking space in tight quarters. I think I will wire up a manual switch to the A/C condenser fan. Might help. Thanks everyone for your suggestions.
  • Both of the coolers you mention have roughly the same volume, so the difference will be minor.
    Have you considered a stacked-plate design with a built-in fan?
    http://www.bmracing.com/products/category/?maincat=Coolers
    That will provide much more cooling efficiency for the space, plus it will continue to cool with the same performance with the vehicle stopped. You can even mount it elsewhere if needed.
    If over-cooling is a concern in your climate, you can add a cold-temperature bypass valve, such as the Derale 25011, which bypasses the cooler until it reaches 180F.
  • Jerry,

    I put a 16 pass stacked plate in my 2500hd 4l80e trans. I Still have the output from the trans go to the radiator first then to the stacked plate cooler and then returning to the trans.

    It's big - like 10 x 12 x 3/4". I removed the factor cooler (not stacked plate) and then made some steel brackets that mount to the front metal bracket where the OEM was connected. I relocated the Temperature sensor and PFM (pure frigging magic) it's installed. Mine has an electric fan that I run when I know I'm going to be climbing.

    When on flat level ground - 190 (same as my coolant temp) when climbing, it gets up to about 210 - but only as long as I'm climbing. As soon as the engine cools, the trans temp starts to drop off and cool back down.

    Not towing, i'm usually under 140 on flat level ground.
  • I used this Trans cooler = Earls part # is 82510ERL

    Overall Height (in):7.750 in.
    Overall Width (in):15.250 in.
    Overall Thickness (in):2.000 in.

    Temps avg 180 towing, 160 not. The factory fitting can be used and there are now brackets made to mount it.
  • My Hayden 10 X 11 X .75 is rated at 30,000# GVWR. Found it on the internet. Now I need to find the cooling rating for the factory 11 X 5.5 X 1.5. Thanks for the responses.
  • This one is rated at 20,500 GVWR and is like the thin one.

    http://derale.com/products/coolers/transmission/series-8000-plate-fin2013-10-28-09-53-27471243954/black-tornado-electric-fan-mounting-bracket-kit-dual-fan-detail

    This one is more like the thicker one, and also is rated at a similar weight range. 22,000 GVWR.

    http://derale.com/products/coolers/transmission/series-9000-plate-fin/180f-fan-switch-thermostat-detail

    So it seems like the best one will be 1-1/2" thick and 12" square - if that will fit.

    http://derale.com/products/coolers/transmission/series-9000-plate-fin/190f-fan-switch-thermostat-detail It has a 24,000 GVWR capacity.

    So I would go with the thicker one. Both will hold about the same amount of transmission fluid, and do equal cooling capacity.

    Fred.