Wondering if anyone is running one. I am doing a swap from a 6 speed to an automatic on my camaro and got to thinking about adding a big cooler to my excursion as well. Havnt even really looked at how big teh stock one is, but its pretty much impossible to overcool a transmission in my opinion. (short of doing something crazy to cool it) With the price of rebuilt 4R100's being where they are, and not coming down, I think its cheap insurance.

 

This past fall I added a digital gauge to my Ex. I was concerned about temperatures especially in the transmission since I mostly only use my Ex while towing.

I roll down the road at 17,000#'s combined for my V10.

I just returned from a 4400+ mile towing trip which included some hot (triple digit) temps as well as more 6000-8000' climbs than I care to type about plus one pull to 10,630' and another to 11,200'...so I really gave the Ex a work out.

I monitored temps closely especially on the grades.

Here's my take on the stock V10 cooler.

Engine temps will climb to 208°F on longer grades...but at that point the cooling fan kicks into what I'll call turbo mode (man is it LOUD when it hits that temp!!!)...and quickly brings engine temps back to 198°F and will repeat this cycle to keep the engine temps in check.

Trans temps WILL rise on long and steep pulls (I'm talking 7+ mile 6-7% grades). The highest I saw was 213°F on the trans but once I crested the grade the temps quickly returned to 200°F or below.

Normally the trans will run in the 185°-200°F range even when the outside temps are 100°F.

Having more capacity is not a bad thing...but in my experience the stock cooling capacity that Ford built into this platform has proven to be very effective under some very harsh environments...I do NOT baby my V10 on climbs...4000+ RPMs is normal for me to ask of the V10...and the temps do not get out of control.

Momentary rise in trans temps on long pulls is normal IMO...it is a very gradual climb in temp too...nothing alarming...

The factory trans gauge in the dash WILL move if you exceed 220°...I've got my dash marked with a white grease pencil so I can see at a glance if a temp has moved off 'nomial'...now that i have the digital gauge...I know precisely what the temps are...and I'm very comfortable with what they do and can back off if needed...

Just some info for you on the cooling capacity we have...again there is nothing wrong with adding more...

NOW...on a 7.3L Ex...MORE is needed from what I've read...But on a V10 I think it is un-necessary in my experiences pushing the limits if you will with a V10 towing semi-heavy...


Joe.

 

Now that was a great post!

 

I thought about this a few months ago and posted it. Everybody says the 6.0 PSD cooler is the best on the truck and no reason to try adding another. I have a 10 pass w/fan I was gonna add, not replace , but they said not to bother. Maybe search the previous posts for somebody else who did do it.

Ian

 

I got a ScanGauge2 and do the same as Joe.

On a trip to Myrtle Beach a week ago, everything did great and the temps were never a concern - with one exception. When we were on our way home we got stuck in traffic for several mile and were either stopped or at a ver slow crawl - the out temp was 97*. DUring that time the tranny went to 208* (highest) - the h2o hit the same. One we started moving, it dropped back off.

If it were me (and I am thinking bout) I would keep the stock cooler and add a fan to it. You could either add a thermo switch or just put a manual switch.

Someone here made a cooling fan using a muffin pan and some CPU fans... I don't recall who it though.

 

Make muffins while stuck in traffic, what a novel idea!!! How long to bake blueberry ones??

Ian