I have a few methods in mind but would like to see what is preferred for improving transmission oil temps.

1. Replace OEM with larger unit
2. Add a secondary unit to the OEM
3. Add a fan
4. Spray mist of water (intermittently) on OEM cooler. I will build a circuit to intermittently spray a mist of water so its not just dripping off the cooler.. thinking like 1 second every 10 seconds

And lastly, how about the idea of bypass running the trans fluid through the engine coolant radiator?

I was leaning towards the spray mist, i see lots of RV guys using this method with very good results. Spraying room temp mist of water drastically cools the fins of the cooler

 

Replacing the stock cooler with a larger one is a good choice. Make sure it is a stacked plate design, not one that has one tube that snakes back and forth. Those are called tube and fin and are next to worthless.

Do not add another cooler to the factory cooler. That can create too much restriction and actually lower the cooling capacity.

A fan will help below about 20 MPH. Above that, it creates too much airflow restriction, even if it is running.

I've seen the misting work very well. The ones I've seen use a momentary contact switch to turn the mist on when needed. It doesn't run automatically, but that may be a good idea.

DO NOT remove the cooler in the radiator! That cooler is VERY efficient. If you remove it, your trans will run a lot hotter.

 

Spray misting the cooler - Another idea i had for intermittently spray is to tap off the windshield wiper circuit and i wouldnt have to build my own circuit. I believe i would have to leave the motor connected and just remove the wiper arms, the reason being that the motor gives feedback signal for its home position so the motor knows when to stop... I originally thought it was based on time, but that cant be possible because the wiper wouldnt stop at the exact home position every single time

I understand adding restriction if you add a secondary cooler, but ive seen many do it with good results. Or perhaps a parallel cooler to the original?

 

Hey Mark, I am not sure if I have a transmission cooler or not, there is a small cooler in front of the radiator is that it? I have a hitch so does that mean I have the trailer package? Thanks

 

You need to follow the lines that attach to that cooler. It could be a power steering cooler.

Running it in parallel should work.

 

.Well, my spray misting the oil cooler project is underway

Here are the parts ive fabricated and put together. Reservoir, pump (used to be my methanol injection pump on my turbo Eclipse), mounting bracket, and the spray tube with nozzles:
**The reservoir will be used in addition to the OEM windshield washer reservoir (if needed)



And here is the spray nozzles on a tube with pressure gauge to determine the quality of the mist



Quick mock-up of the connections before i mount it all up. The T-fitting with adjustable valve on the return line to dial in the desired pressure.

 

Well i got to use my creation this past weekend, and worked like a charm. Watching the trans oil temp reach 217° and spraying it and watch it go down to 202° was a good feeling. Im happy with those results


And here is a pic of the spray bar i made mounted behind the grille