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Old Mar 2, 2013 | 09:18 AM
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trans cooler

I am finally about to add a tranny fluid cooler to my 02 E350 (5.4). Mine came without a tow package, and I've added everything else. I have a Scanguage, so I've been watching trans fluid temps for awhile, but I'm about to change my fluid and planning to add an aux cooler while I'm there.
I've had decent luck in the past with the Advance/Autozone coolers but wanted to ask if anyone had a strong recommendation on brand or size. Also, where should I place it? I can't remember. Do they go right in front of everything else? I'm sure the directions on the unit will advise where, but I wanted to gather some experience before I mount it.

Thanks
 
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Old Mar 2, 2013 | 10:48 AM
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My recommendation is to make sure you get a stacked plate cooler. The other type of cooler is a tube and fin. Don't get one of those.

A stacked plate has a tube on either side (or top and bottom) with numerous plates connecting them. A tube and fin has one tube the snakes back and forth.

How high are your trans temps?
 
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Old Mar 2, 2013 | 11:44 AM
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From: irwin,pa
I'm running v10 inline with factory.aux cooler,zero issues last 432k miles
 
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Old Mar 2, 2013 | 12:38 PM
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Originally Posted by Mark Kovalsky
My recommendation is to make sure you get a stacked plate cooler. The other type of cooler is a tube and fin. Don't get one of those.

A stacked plate has a tube on either side (or top and bottom) with numerous plates connecting them. A tube and fin has one tube the snakes back and forth.

How high are your trans temps?
Usually 175 loaded on the highway during the warm months, but I've gotten it pretty high on Western mountain trips in the hottest part of summer, one time around 200. Local driving it never gets very warm at all.
 
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Old Mar 2, 2013 | 12:41 PM
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Howbout this? A quick Google search popped up several in the 150-200$ range, but Summit has this deal, which looks pretty good.

B&M SuperCooler Oil Coolers 70268 - SummitRacing.com
 
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Old Mar 2, 2013 | 02:56 PM
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Originally Posted by 86scotty
Usually 175 loaded on the highway during the warm months, but I've gotten it pretty high on Western mountain trips in the hottest part of summer, one time around 200. Local driving it never gets very warm at all.
That's high? I wouldn't change a thing. If you are only getting to 200 in the mountains on a hot day you don't need to change anything.
 
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Old Mar 2, 2013 | 04:04 PM
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Thanks Mark. I will trust your expertise and carry on then. I figured as much as I have this van loaded I probably needed one, since it doesn't have the factory tow package/cooler. What would you consider high for a 4R100? I was pretty paranoid when it broke 200 some last summer, but I've never had any weird symptoms, just trying to prolong it's life.
 
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Old Mar 2, 2013 | 04:38 PM
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You can run at 220°F all day long with no problems. You can go as high as 250°F for no more than a half hour at a time.
 
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Old Mar 6, 2013 | 10:47 PM
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Even the non tow package vans had a trans cooler. The tow package one just had a much bigger one.



Those temps are right where you want them to be!
 
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Old Mar 7, 2013 | 06:02 AM
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Originally Posted by IDIDieselJohn
Those temps are right where you want them to be!
+1.

If you install a bigger cooler then you have the problem of the transmission not coming up to temp, which can also cause problems. When I installed the HUGE 6.0L cooler in my Excursion I also found a thermostat bypass to install, otherwise I wouldn't get much above 130°. Extra time and money just to allow my transmission to get into the 170°'s!
 
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Old Mar 7, 2013 | 06:48 AM
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From: irwin,pa
I know on my 04,the one that came with the tow pkg,it had the thermostat in it , adding the v-10 cooler in line ,IMHO,has allowed me to go from 68k,when the trans.tc imploded ,to the almost 500k on it now.
 
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