The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The HiPo Shop frame rail transmission cooler

i've seen these advertised in the catalogs. just wondering if they are any good. has anyone used one. since from what i understand is that one of the biggest cause of failures in automatics is heat, are these things sufficient enough to cool. im not talkin about pullin a trailer or anything like that. its a th350 with a fairbanks stage one shift kit.just curious......dave

I am planning on using one in conjunction with the trans cooler in the radiator. They have a large internal volume which should help reduce the heat although not as much as a plate type cooler would. The problem with my 54 is mounting positions for a plate type cooler just do not exist.

I mounted a normal looking heavy duty cooler under the bed of my truck. It heavy, made from steel and sets just off the frame out in the open. No fan or duct work, trans works fine, fluid smells and looks just like new, going on six years old! Joe

I used the B&M transcooler with thermostatically controlled fan in my "other" hot rod truck with a performance C-6. I mounted it up under the bed and it keeps my trans temperature right on the money. On my setup, I bypassed the radiator mounted cooler...in Ohio you should probably put it in series with your radiator so that during the cold months your ATF will reach optimum operating temperature more quickly. The cooler setup isn't cheap but neither are transmissions.
Hope this helps.

Are we trying to out think GM here? My 350 GM transmission has the ports for the cooler so I mounted one.

Ben mounting them anywhere as long as it's not next to an exhaust pipe. Never had a seconds trouble in 30 years. When not in the radiator, even on a 100 degree day, it's at least 80 degrees cooler than one in the radiator. Remember that these heat exchangers work backward in the winter and warm the fluid, something the external ones can't do so if your in frosty land you need to choose what's best. Here in the heat capitol that's not an issue. Also, plumb them in with fluid hose not fuel hose like so many do.

I have used a 78 ford pickup power steering cooler(yes i said power steering) for over 10 years for a trans cooler on my turbo 350 with b&m stage 2 shift kit. No problems so far.

...just use a small aftermarket trans cooler; mount it on the frame rail close to the trans where it will get airflow, no problem. Been doin em this way for 25 years!