Thefishguy77
New member
Subscribed
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
B&M 70268 SuperCooler Transmission Cooler Install on a 3rd Gen
- Thread starter BigFishAllDay
- Start date
stever1000
New member
If I plan to replace my radiator (181,000miles) then I assume it is fine to add the B&M 70268 in series with the radiator cooler?
Rock_Rat
Senior Member
Yes, that's exactly what I did a few years back. Living in Vancouver BC it's probably a good option. Those in hotter climates often time bypass the radiator.
jgue467
Senior Member
Yes in series is Highly recommended to control trans temp spikes when in stop/go, towing and/or hill climbing. Ask me how I know! :cowboy:
zcruiser
Senior Member
stever1000
New member
Perfect, exactly what I was looking for!
Clifford
Member
Was this a problem? Spikes to what temp? I do not tow. I think an electric fan would be my preferred solution.
Thx
Clifford
jgue467
Senior Member
Well it didn't "overheat" in the sense of causing driveability issues but the temps can reach nearly 240 for the transmission in stop/go and hill climbing (mild central texas hills). I tried using the external cooler alone and later with a fan. It still wasn't enough (temps still rose into 230s) so I went in-series with a new radiator. 240 is just too hot for my taste when the manual says 160-180 is the normal range. I think keeping the high end trans temps under 200 will lead to a much longer fluid and transmission life.
Now the temps won't go above 195 or so for transmission in the same conditions (ambient temps about 100) without the fan. The fan is more useful in slow moving or stop/go but really isn't necessary after going to in-series.
I highly recommend in-series unless you live in Alaska or something like that. Luck. :cowboy:
gamefreakgc
Elite Member
In series is also recommended for anyone who lives in a cold climate, per the manufacturer. With an external cooler not in series, it takes the transmission fluid longer to warm up. This can cause issues long-term of too much wear if you're in a cold climate that sees regular freezing or sub-zero temps. That fluid will take a long time to warm up without being heated by the coolant.
I don't tow, so no stock cooler for me!
FoneRunner
New member
7 years after that comment, I finally did my transmission cooler today. True to my word, I used this write up!:third:
Clifford
Member
I installed w bypass method and went to the Mojave Preserve for a week. Temp at highest in 1 or 2 long climbs was 197F. Rest of time temps were prob between 145-175. Very happy with it. (seeing 240deg once made me very uneasy and prompted this whole project)
Will keep an eye in summer. I bridged the i/o of the radiator w a length of hose so will be in good shape if I decide to bring it back inline. Tranny, both diffs, transfer, oil all changed before trip- good feeling.
NOTE- I tried the included through-radiator hangars and quickly removed them after seeing the wear they were placing on condenser and radiator. Avoid those and find another method. I used heavy zip-ties to other points and has more space between condenser but peace of mind well worth it.
NOTE 2- When flushing tranny I read hose to driver side would have outflow. Not so in my case- hose to passenger side had the outflow. Luckily I had both aimed at the bucket!
Also got an air/fuel error code so sprung for and installed Denso O2 and a/f mix sensors. I actually feel a difference truck running good.
Thx
Clifford
Will keep an eye in summer. I bridged the i/o of the radiator w a length of hose so will be in good shape if I decide to bring it back inline. Tranny, both diffs, transfer, oil all changed before trip- good feeling.
NOTE- I tried the included through-radiator hangars and quickly removed them after seeing the wear they were placing on condenser and radiator. Avoid those and find another method. I used heavy zip-ties to other points and has more space between condenser but peace of mind well worth it.
NOTE 2- When flushing tranny I read hose to driver side would have outflow. Not so in my case- hose to passenger side had the outflow. Luckily I had both aimed at the bucket!
Also got an air/fuel error code so sprung for and installed Denso O2 and a/f mix sensors. I actually feel a difference truck running good.
Thx
Clifford
Last edited:
mtbtim
Elite Member
When you said you did long climbs, how long and steep were they? Was this on road or trail?
Clifford
Member
No idea on both questions. Paved road like climbing up Cajon Pass or out of Mojave Preserve area to Vegas area. Many miles up grades keeping at highway speeds. Unless there was gear shifting and power the tranny temp was low. As soon as you get some climbing/gear shifting going the temp responds quickly. Very obvious the fluid is transferring friction heat.
C
Last edited:
mtbtim
Elite Member
Highway speeds are not necessarily the definitive test to see if your bypassed system is really doing the best job to keep your trans temps out of the range that you're cooking your fluid and lowering it's life expectancy. The times I've seen the most dramatic temp rises is going up mountain roads where your grinding up a grade at speeds lower than 40 mph. You're not getting as much benefit from the air blowing through your cooling fins at slower speeds and the trans is generating more heat due to the strain of the grade. Same goes for people 4wheeling up steep sustained trails. You're going very slow so not much air is running through the cooling fins other than the air being pulled through by the engine fan but the strain is heavy on the transmission.
Next time you're in the mountains climbing a steep twisty sustained mountain road, I think you'll find your temps will go much higher than 197.
In case you don't know this trick, turning off overdrive can drop your trans temps by around 20 degrees under certain conditions. It will help when you're at speeds when around 50-60 mph and the transmission keeps kicking down from 4th(overdrive), to 3rd. Turning off overdrive locks up the torque converter and holds the trans in 3rd.
Here's a video showing how turning overdrive off can drop your trans temps:
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BEZfDOkGVno" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Clifford
Member
Much higher? Mmmmm not at all convinced. Did plenty slow climbing up dirt roads w tail wind on this trip and temps were fine. Anyway will keep an eye on it. Unless tranny goes above 200 where the coolant sits I'm satisfied for now.
Interesting info on turning off OD- going to try that for sure! Might help w annoying shifting when using cruise control as well. Thanks!
oldskminitrk
New member
I leave mine out of overdrive all the time....the only time i use it if Im going on the interstate.....around town just leave it turned off...I learned this habit years ago and its never failed me,or had a transmission issue.
jgue467
Senior Member
How ECT also affects the 'annoying shifts'. Set to for "performance" is good to accelerate better with but also affects top gear by allowing trans to shift down with lighter throttle pressure, so lots less 'annoying shifts' either on cruise or not. I've learned to just leave ECT set to economy and press harder to accelerate when needed and i get better mileage to boot! :cowboy:
Similar threads
