i'm considering installing an a/t cooler and since the transmission would be drained I figured the fluid would be changed to Red Line or Royal Purple. I drive 90% of the time w/ the paddles and wonder what the shifting would be like. I would assume it would be better but thats not always true.
Plus then any warrenty issues. It would be just my karma.
Comments ?
Thanks

 

09Factor:

Let me know what brand of tranny fluid you go with. I was thinking of doing a fluid change myself. I'm over 15K and was wondering if its time to swap. Also, let me know if you can notice a difference.

If you are successful in installing an A/T tranny cooler, please post up pics and steps as I'm sure many of us AT owners would be very interested.

Thanks!

 

I'm going to call Rick (apex8) and see what brand cooler and where he hooked into the trans...

Looks like a DIY. Yea !!

 

Looks like a good project ... be watching with interest. Good Luck!

 

I had the dealer install a transmission cooler right after I purchased the 8. It gets very hot in the desert and after having lost a couple of trasmissions on other cars due to the heat figured I'd play it careful. No warranty issues with the cooler but it did not require the draining of all the fluid. I left it to the dealer and did drain the fluid and he installed Red Line. While I only drove the 8 for a month before the cooler, I've not noticed any change in the way it shifts with or with out the paddles.

 

Where did they mount the tranny cooler?

 

Phil, how much did the dealer charge you to install the tranny cooler? Approximates will do, as i don't need a receipt. Thanx

 

I want a DIY, I want a DIY!!

If anything, this would be great for resale value to be able to say you've taken extra steps to insure the longevity of your car.

 

The installed it on the passinger side behind the small RB grill that they installed at the same time.

 

They charged me two hours labor @ $85.00 per hour and the cooler cost $50.00. They removed the front end to mount it so I had them install some RB grills that I had purchased (they did not charge me extra for this).

 

Thanx Phil, Have you noticed any lower temps inside the car since doing it?
Or because you're in Vegas is this a moot point.

 

It's cool this week only 105. I did notice one thing, the car takes a little longer to warm up.

 

Where is the cooler mounted, before or after the tranny radiator? I think some coolers have valves that let the ATF flow into them proportional to its temperature (so you should not notice longer heat-up times)
Which Red Line fluid they used? Dexron III equivalent?

 

Before the radiator - Not sure which fluid they used as I did not see them putting it in.

 

Ok boys and any girls?!
The part # used for the A/T cooler is #130-70268
I "should" get by the 1st of July and install this coming weekend. And will do a DIY.

http://www.jegs.com/cgi-bin/ncommerc...28&prmenbr=361

I was also thinking about the trans temp unit, but wonder if it really necessary since its not in a hi-power race car. . pluse it it dosent match the stock guages.

 

Would this go in the empty space in the front bumper, oposite to the oil cooler? I wonder if this the size of that unit.....
Funny, last I've been to the dealer, I asked how much would be for the instalation - and they replied that the car has one already so I don't need it.... The car had a radiator next to the coolant radiator, so this unit should cool it first, then the radiator will warm it to engines' temperature.
I'm very interested in the DIY - good post, thanks.

 

The A/T does have one, but its plumbed into part of the radiator. You may not need it since you live in a cooler part of the states.. right now its still 100 deg out.. and its 8:45 pm..

 

09Factor:

Please keep us posted on your DIY tranny cooler install. :D

 

now since the engine has been swapped, I can go ahead and install the cooler. There are two good locations to do this in. One being infront of the A/C condenson and the other being the Right side vent behind the Fog light( where the 6 port oil cooler is).
I'm leaning toward the install in front of the A/C just because I'm thinking of adding a oil cooler in the future and don't want to re-plumb the trans cooler.

 

since an automatic transmission works with pressure of the fluid, a better fluid could not only help with lubricating the parts better but also might help keep the pressure in the radiator up as it get hot, higher line pressure means firmer shifts and that can help extend the life of the trany since there is less sliping. The better fluid might also offer better heat transfer, esp with an trany cooler. The fluid and the cooler will help extend the life and the performance of the transmission.

 

I have royal purple fluid in my MTX and I love it. For auto's I hear its equally as good as the shifts are smoother, and it helps with heat, which is the #1 killer of trannys. The more efficient the tranny, the better mileage you'll get.

for the money, that is still prolly the best $100 i spent on my car.

 

Hey, any other suggestions on the type of Automatic Transmission Fluid to use? Anybody endorsing any good AT fluid?

 

RP RP RP RP RP RP. <-- I know I sound like a broken record, but.

I recentlly had to have my tranny pan replaced and they put the OEM trany fluid in and all i can say is what a dissapointment. I miss my RP ATF. Way better than the stock crap.

It jerks into 2nd on downshifts and 3-1st on upshifting... While having the RP in it was quieter and much much smoother.

make it simple on yourself go RP.

 

I use to use REDLINE in my prior vehicle and I liked that.
I am debateing on which to use now.

 

Ugh I need to just break down and start a check list of things I want to do to this car to help make it perform better and last longer. At cruising speeds I notice at times "jerks" in shifting, like the tranny pc isnt sure which gear to put my car in (I mean 3 jerks in a matter of 30 seconds bah). If a DIY is done I'd definatly be interested in trying it out.