should i get a trans cooler for my vp

[sawychri06]

hey guys just wondering if i should get a trans cooler 4 my vp. also is i possible to put on yourself if so how hard and any instructions
also would a vs trans cooler work that i could maybe get from the wreakers
??
cheers

[zskinner]

it really depends on how you use your car. if your constantly putting your foot down, or if you tow around a fair bit of weight alot, or if you have a shift kit or some other modification to your tranny then its probably a good idea, but if none of those apply to you then its probably not worth it, but thats just my opinion anyway (unless you can get it really really cheap then i'd go for it)

[sawychri06]

ok then so its prob not really needed

[FXST01]

Not only yes, but hell yes. For a price of a new transmission, installing a cooler is cheap insurance.

[randallbass]

i reckon its a great investment, go for a drive and then put your hand on you transmission pan, i get pretty bloody hot in there.
A little bit of cooling wont hurt the transmission and if the oil doesnt get as hot it will last longer and retain its oily goodness.

i have fitted one from a magna, $30. a few brackets and some rubber hose and shes done

[VN5LTRCALAIS89]

Hi I fitted one on my VN berlina best thing I have ever done, I got my cooler from the wreckers and it took half hour to fit, If you look at the radiator you will see 2 lines going to it from the trans, leave the bottom one in but remove the top one, run a new line from the top of the radiator to the new trans cooler on the front, then run it from the new cooler back to the trans line, hope this helps

[Andrew426]

Hi I fitted one on my VN berlina best thing I have ever done,

But why is it the best thing you have ever done? A trans cooler wont noticably improve performance

[sik_dose]

I got a nicebig one from my local wreckers for $20. easy to fit. is it a good idea to use the radiator oil cooler with the new cooler?

[Fu Manchu]

Not only yes, but hell yes. For a price of a new transmission, installing a cooler is cheap insurance.

I too concur

[padrickz88]

But why is it the best thing you have ever done? A trans cooler wont noticably improve performance

Wont increase performance but it will stop the trans fluid turning to shit, which stops your trans turning to shit...... trans slipping = impact on performance

I have one, worth every cent

[wortus]

If you service the transmission when it says to and provided you don't tow heavy loads on a regular basis then you don't really need one but that said however it can't hurt. The standard one just uses the radiator and on my VN this internal pipe broke allowing the coolant into the transmission and stuffed it, ths I found out after I rang the mechanic who the previous owner used to service the car. I never had an extra cooler and never had any isues with my auto in that car.

[Andrew426]

Wont increase performance but it will stop the trans fluid turning to shit, which stops your trans turning to shit...... trans slipping = impact on performance

I have one, worth every cent

I find proper care and maintainence to be better

[Benboy]

I find proper care and maintainence to be better

Keeping the transmission fluid cooler is better than hotter. Excessive heat is a guaranteed way to cook your trans. Fitting an external cooler is a good investment and in my opinion 'proper care and maintennance' for your equipment. Go for it.

[karlos]

Trans fluid running through a heat exchanger next to 90= degree coolant,give me the stand alone transcooler setup everytime.

Commys get up to 104 degrees in traffic before thermos kick in so your trans fluid will be roughly the same due to heatsoak.

Get it done yesterday,most cars from VR on had them from factory,especially if fitted with a tow kit.With a carload of people and gear(no trailer) a vehicle can weigh inexcess of 2tonnes placing added strain on trans components.

[Warranty Void]

If you service the transmission when it says to and provided you don't tow heavy loads on a regular basis then you don't really need one but that said however it can't hurt. The standard one just uses the radiator and on my VN this internal pipe broke allowing the coolant into the transmission and stuffed it, ths I found out after I rang the mechanic who the previous owner used to service the car. I never had an extra cooler and never had any isues with my auto in that car.

You never had any issues apart from the stuffed tranny cos you didn't have a cooler you mean.

[Warranty Void]

For about $50 done yourself or $200 by your local mechanic it's a heap cheaper than replacing your transmission and having to flush out your engine and radiator when coolant invades the tranny. This exact problem is happening right now to near new falcons. Get a tranny cooler and seperate the tranny from the possibility of a water based death. Also cooler = longer life IMHO. Have a hunt round the wreckers for the right cooler with brackets, bolts up easy in front of radiator. I can see heaps of pro's and only one con - costs a few bucks.

[padrickz88]

I find proper care and maintainence to be better

In most cases the trans oil gets burnt before your due for a service if you dont have a cooler....

Service it as much as you want, that wont help you when your towing/got a car load/thrashing and your trans oil temp is through the roof

Seriously, I payed $70 for a 400mmx180x25 trans cooler, worth every cent....
The best maintenance is preventative maintenance...

[wortus]

You never had any issues apart from the stuffed tranny cos you didn't have a cooler you mean.

If you took the time to read my post properly you will see that the trans cooler in the radiator broke before I bought it. After I bought the car I had the transmission serviced every 2 years or 40,000km and the oil was never burnt nor was there any muck in the pan of the auto and I used to tow with it on the odd occasion as it was a VN Vacationer. I sold the car after 10 years and about 130,000km and the transmission was just fine but then again I didn't flog the crap out of it. So if you read back on my posts you will see that I said there not really needed but if you want one go for it it's your choce, me I wouldn't really bother.

[sawychri06]

anybody got any pics that they can show me of how to install so i know what i might be gettin myself into
?

[wortus]

try to get some kind of genuine kit, they may still be available and they will come with brackets that fit the car properly. They may even still be available new or you can go to the wrecker that way it will all fit properly and there will be less stuffing around. I've seen a few badly fitted aftermarket ones and the result is not so good and probably reduces the cars reliability if not done properly.

[Warranty Void]

The wreckers is your friend, depending on where you are, wherever gawler the hell is.
If there's a specialist commodore wrecker near you they'd probly fit it for you for under $100.
If you're like me, some sort of neurological problem means you can't unclench your hand when there's money in it, go and visit your friendly wrecker and look and learn and DIY.

[Andrew426]

Trans fluid running through a heat exchanger next to 90= degree coolant,give me the stand alone transcooler setup everytime.

Commys get up to 104 degrees in traffic before thermos kick in so your trans fluid will be roughly the same due to heatsoak.
.

Modern automatic transmission fluids must have the ability to act as a hydraulic fluid between -34*C and 149*C, so no matter how hot your coolant is getting, you are still within your trans fluids operating temperature.

Also, its pretty hard to kill a commodore auto trans just by cooking it. I have driven my VS a bit over a thousand ks (including the rimutaka hill road, for those who know it) with the trans coolers bypassed, after a pipe split and I had to repair it on the side of the road. It flares between 2 and 3 now, and slips a bit in third but its still driveable.

I see what you guys are getting at with the whole "if 1 trans cooler is good, then 3 must be better" approach, but from personal experience: If you want your car to last long, dont #### with it.

[sawychri06]

will a vs trans cooler fit because i know they came stock with them or atleat all the 1s i have seen do
also pics maybe of pipe lines or other work ?

[karlos]

Modern automatic transmission fluids must have the ability to act as a hydraulic fluid between -34*C and 149*C, so no matter how hot your coolant is getting, you are still within your trans fluids operating temperature.

Also, its pretty hard to kill a commodore auto trans just by cooking it. I have driven my VS a bit over a thousand ks (including the rimutaka hill road, for those who know it) with the trans coolers bypassed, after a pipe split and I had to repair it on the side of the road. It flares between 2 and 3 now, and slips a bit in third but its still driveable.

I see what you guys are getting at with the whole "if 1 trans cooler is good, then 3 must be better" approach, but from personal experience: If you want your car to last long, dont #### with it.

Sorry mate but youve killed your trans,its slipping LOL.Unless the car is brand new or recieves a full powerflush each time its serviced the trans fluids hydraulic resistances are reduced to low 100s due to contaminated oil.Its like doing an oilchange without doing filter.9/10 only have the pan dropped and refilled with 5ltrs mixing with 4-5ltrs of old stuff in the convertor.

Seriouslly,to the op just get a setup of a VR from the wreckers that had a towkit if you want a bolt on job or go to Supercheap ect and get a PWR kit.

Transcoolers are "transcoolers,heat exchangers exchange their heat with oneanother.Ive never had a trans fail on me due to heat,only the right boot lol,bloody std trimatic input shafts.

Also from personal experience with some models effing with them can overcome factory flaws if carried out correctly.Did you mean dont stuff with it idea wise or stuff with it thrash wise?

[thephilth]

Most aftermarket trans coolers are meant to be used in conjunction with the radiator anyways but if you do decide to bypass the radiator, make sure you get the biggest cooler you can and place it where it will receive airflow from the thermo fan when stuck in traffic etc. I have done this to most of my cars and havent had a problem yet although I do change fluids probably too often.