Transmission Cooler Orientation and Flow Pattern ???

[VaWoodpecker]

Transmission Cooler Orientation and Flow Pattern Questions ???

So I am about to install a B&M transmission cooler and a magnefine in my 4th gen, and I am finding conflicting info on cooler flow direction and orientation. Thought I’d share the results and see if anyone else has any other input to add. Some say for an orientation at the side to have flow in at the top and out through the bottom, while others say in at bottom and out at top. Alternatively, some have the cooler with both inlets at the top, others at the bottom. Which is right can be confusing to say the least.

Here are some prime examples:
These 2 posts say to run in at top and out at bottom.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/accessories/17358-transmission-cooler-install.html

YotaTech Forums - View Single Post - Adding the aftermarket Trans cooler

These 2 posts suggest to run in at bottom and out at top.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/performance-zone-tires-wheels-exhaust-superchargers-more/19481-transmission-cooler-gauge.html

Transmission Cooler

To me if a side orientation is used, it would seem that in at top and out at bottom would allow for better flushing, but heat distribution would be better with in at the bottom and out at the top. But, since the fellow in the last link called B&M, I thought I’d follow suit and get the latest word from them myself. So I called them and asked…

B&M said, “Oriented with inlets at top or side is OK. If side orientation is used than in at top and out at bottom. Oriented with inlets down is not good". (so down is out).

If a top orientation is used, it is clear the in and out don’t matter. But a side orientation seems like a better fit.
At this point, I am inclined to go with what B&M told me, but it is not what others have reported B&M told them prior :lookout:.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

I chose side orientation because it fit better (as you're discovering). I specifically went in at the top and out at the bottom to help with flushing should it become necessary. Another reason I did it is barely a reason, consistency. The OE, in-tank cooler flows the hot fluid in at the top and the cooler oil at the bottom. I know Toyo did it the other way on the V8 OE coolers so like I said, barely a reason This link should open to pics of my install.


I also subscribe to Mt Goat's (of yota tech) assessment. Unless a cooler is specifically made to run with the inlet and outlet down then sideways or outlet up is the way to go. Sideways is my fav.

Good luck!
:cheers:

 

[VaWoodpecker]

I chose side orientation because it fit better (as you're discovering). I specifically went in at the top and out at the bottom to help with flushing should it become necessary. Another reason I did it is barely a reason, consistency. The OE, in-tank cooler flows the hot fluid in at the top and the cooler oil at the bottom. I know Toyo did it the other way on the V8 OE coolers so like I said, barely a reason This link should open to pics of my install.


I also subscribe to Mt Goat's (of yota tech) assessment. Unless a cooler is specifically made to run with the inlet and outlet down then sideways or outlet up is the way to go. Sideways is my fav.

Good luck!
:cheers:

Thanks for the input. Saw that too. I think I have read about a dozed threads on it now:. I'll post a pic or two when I'm done.

One additional detail I'm planning to add is to pre-fill the cooler, added lines, and magnefine with some ATF-WS. This would be to accommodate the additional fluid storage capacity without dropping the internal tranny fluid level since the '08 is a sealed rig. :artist:

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Not a bad idea to put a little fluid in the cooler but potentially messy... Probably not necessary as Toyota has a habit of overfilling some on the factory fill.

Don't focus on "sealed". It is not.http://www.toyota-4runner.org/maint...ission-fluid-servicing-sealed-non-sealed.htmlhttp://www.toyota-4runner.org/maint...ission-fluid-servicing-sealed-non-sealed.html Fluid level checking and adding is more akin to doing a manual transmission with the caveat of the engine running, up to temp and in N or P. Lots of good info here: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/maint...ission-fluid-servicing-sealed-non-sealed.html