Tranny Cooler - Oil Cooler

[ArthurS]

Okay.....after lots of research, I may be a retard.

Transmission cooler - "This unit is designed to do exactly what we want. Cool down the oil - A LOT!"

http://members.tripod.com/karguyzine/images/atcool_diag.jpg
http://members.tripod.com/karguyzine/images/atcool_box.jpg

so does this mean that the transmission cooler does about the same thing as a oil cooler?

Oil Cooler -
http://www.subydude.com/images/prod/icon/oilcoolerkit01.jpg

[sperry]

Yeah, except the tranny cooler cools the transmission oil, not the engine oil. If you're thinking of using an oil cooler for the tranny, you'll be looking for additional hoses and fittings to get it to reach and attach to the tranny.

BTW: Tripod images don't link.

[AtomicLabMonkey]

If you're going to add an external oil -> air cooler like that, I would recommend using steel-braided hoses and AN screwed fittings... either in a more expensive kit or adapting them yourself. The cheaper kits will all have rubber hoses & hose clamps... shady. This is pretty vital fluid you're going to run through the lines, if they develop a hole and spill their guts all over the roadway you'll probably be looking at a new motor or tranny. Plus, especially if the car will ever see any track use, the leak risk is a safety hazard for other cars on track.

[ArthurS]

Well, for the tranny cooler I am going the way of RiftWRX over NASIOC with a Hayden Tranny cooler. He has run his auto into the 12's. I trust his word on that piece.

But I was just curious then....I am not ever going to run a bigger turbo or intercooler. I will have about 315 horsepower when finished, and the Torque converter mod (which I am trying to do before winter). So is a oil cooler necessary?

SubyDude sells a oil cooler set for 200$. The Hayden tranny cooler is only 45$. I am just not sure if I need both. Don't they basically mount in the same spot?

[sperry]

SubyDude sells a oil cooler set for 200$. The Hayden tranny cooler is only 45$. I am just not sure if I need both. Don't they basically mount in the same spot?

Well, you need both if you want to cool both oils. Cooling the tranny oil will not have an effect on the motor oil. Check you oil temp gauge... I doubt it gets over 220, which is not too hot. And living in Reno, you'll need a oil thermostat to prevent cooling of the oil till it gets hot.

[ArthurS]

SubyDude sells a oil cooler set for 200$. The Hayden tranny cooler is only 45$. I am just not sure if I need both. Don't they basically mount in the same spot?

Well, you need both if you want to cool both oils. Cooling the tranny oil will not have an effect on the motor oil. Check you oil temp gauge... I doubt it gets over 220, which is not too hot. And living in Reno, you'll need a oil thermostat to prevent cooling of the oil till it gets hot.

So I should be fine if I get a tranny cooler. Scott, my oil temp gauge has been at 210 most of this summer. Is it because I am running thicker oil? During winter time it was around 185 now anywhere from 190 to 210 depending on the day and time I guess.

[sperry]

So I should be fine if I get a tranny cooler. Scott, my oil temp gauge has been at 210 most of this summer. Is it because I am running thicker oil? During winter time it was around 185 now anywhere from 190 to 210 depending on the day and time I guess.

I think you're fine without the oil cooler, unless you start running track days, or have to sit in Bay Area traffic a lot.

200-220 is the normal operating temp for the oil, IIRC. If you're in that range, your fine... when you start getting above 220, then things are getting a little hot. When I had the oil temp gauge in my car, I never saw it over 220... and that's even autocrossing in 95F weather in Sac. Of course, the auto tranny generates more heat, which could contribute to heat soak of the whole drive train, but I doubt even that would raise the oil temp much.

[ArthurS]

Cool thanks. I will be done with step 2 soon then.

Step 1 - Tranny Temp Gauge, Water Temp Gauge, 3 Pod A-Pillar

Step 2- Transmission Cooler

Step 3 - ProTorque Torque Converter, Installation

Then I will have a fast car off the line...Now I can as fast as the stock 5MT WRX and be lazy around town... :P

[tysonK]

isn't teh torque convertor always ON, I mean it's a part of the tranny, or will be, you are gonna have to baby it a little off the line even driving around town right, or risk hauling ass at every launch, if someone else drives your car they better be aware of the TQ b/c they might think it's a normal auto off the line until they rear end someone sitting in traffic when the light turns green.

[sperry]

isn't teh torque convertor always ON, I mean it's a part of the tranny, or will be, you are gonna have to baby it a little off the line even driving around town right, or risk hauling ass at every launch, if someone else drives your car they better be aware of the TQ b/c they might think it's a normal auto off the line until they rear end someone sitting in traffic when the light turns green.

It's not quite like that:

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/torque-converter.htm

If the driver's only easing on to the gas, the TC won't suddenly fling 'em forward. So, I guess if you're used to driving a normal WRX 4EAT, you'll prolly notice the car has better acceleration, but it's not gonna be so dramatic that you start rear-ending people.

[ArthurS]

Nah it will just improve a little on city driving basically. Its when I get on the brake-gas technique that it will fling me forward.

[ArthurS]

Well, I have bought all of stage one, and all of stage two.

Here is the tranny cooler I picked up today. Now basically I have to wait to get the water temp gauage in the mail along with the lo-tek pillar pod. Then it all gets installed, then on to the T/C itself which will be about a 1,200$ job if not more.