Seeking wisdom of ATOT mechanics

[lokiju]

I'm looking into getting a tranny cooler put on my '99 Chevy Tahoe so I can bypass the transmission line from going through the radiator and to help keep it cooler.

Anyone familiar with this or has done this before?

How much should I expect to spend to have something like this done? Is there a certain brand of cooler I should only consider?


Thanks!

 

[JasonSix78]

Summit has there brand coolers for around $100.

-Jason

 

[JasonSix78]

Here's one by ATI

Here's a Universal one.
Edit: It won't let me direct-link to the page for some reason. Sorry about that. If you are mechanically inclined you could do it yourself for just the cost of the kit. Try some off-road forums, they'd probably know best as far as brand and installation.



-Jason

 

[huesmann]

Doesn't GM make a tranny or oil cooler for that behemoth?

 

[Red]

I was advised to not put one on my car because in winter the transmission would have a very tough time reaching operating temperature. In summer towing they are supposed to be great, however.

 

[lokiju]

Originally posted by: Red
I was advised to not put one on my car because in winter the transmission would have a very tough time reaching operating temperature. In summer towing they are supposed to be great, however.

It's summer year round for me.


South FL.

 

[lokiju]

Originally posted by: JasonSix78
Here's one by ATI

Here's a Universal one.
Edit: It won't let me direct-link to the page for some reason. Sorry about that. If you are mechanically inclined you could do it yourself for just the cost of the kit. Try some off-road forums, they'd probably know best as far as brand and installation.



-Jason

Thanks Jason!

I found a guy thats willing to put it on for me for ~$170 with parts and labor, not to bad IMO, I'd do it myself if I had the time.

 

[DurocShark]

$170's a good deal.

On the Summit site this would work just fine: Part SUM-G4960A for $42. But you'd have to fab up brackets and lines. Go with the guy who'll do all the work. But double check his work!!!! There's some heat and pressure on those lines and using poor quality hose or regular worm clamps are recipies for disaster.

 

[KokomoGSTmp]

Pretty common thing to do here in Jersey as well. Most of the mechanics and old-timers I've talked with (I'm not a mechanic anymore though still in the industry) run them on their trucks as they see it as a necessity.

Both trans specialists I talked to said it was pretty much a given to add one for the health of the trans. Also, when I was working at Toyota, I was told that the TRD package includes that as an upgrade for their pickups.

I'm sure it can get quite expensive if you're running AN lines but that'd be best. It would probably run upwards of $300 for that though.

 

[Maximus96]

i put one in my maxima. i bought a Hayden model. i forgot the model number, but it cost about $50. install was easy and straight forward. need to get some additional transmission hose. i live in bay area CA so even winter weather is pretty good. i also put synthetic mobile 1 ATF in mine transmission not too long before i added the cooler.

 

[lokiju]

Originally posted by: DurocShark
$170's a good deal.

On the Summit site this would work just fine: Part SUM-G4960A for $42. But you'd have to fab up brackets and lines. Go with the guy who'll do all the work. But double check his work!!!! There's some heat and pressure on those lines and using poor quality hose or regular worm clamps are recipies for disaster.

I completely trust this guy with my Tahoe, he's a pro and has done plenty of work on my SUV already.

I've never once had an issue with any of the work he's done, which before him was unheard of for me.

It helps also know that he has a '98 Suburban that he installed an tranny cooler on already.

 

[lokiju]

Originally posted by: KokomoGSTmp
Pretty common thing to do here in Jersey as well. Most of the mechanics and old-timers I've talked with (I'm not a mechanic anymore though still in the industry) run them on their trucks as they see it as a necessity.

Both trans specialists I talked to said it was pretty much a given to add one for the health of the trans. Also, when I was working at Toyota, I was told that the TRD package includes that as an upgrade for their pickups.

I'm sure it can get quite expensive if you're running AN lines but that'd be best. It would probably run upwards of $300 for that though.

I've already had the trans line blow inside the radiator once on this and want to do this to prevent that from happening again, when tranny fluid and coolant mix it turns into a pink nasty foam that then got sucked back into my transmission and completely phucked it up.

Sadly the same exact thing happened to me on my Blazer I had before this.

I'm out of warranty now and driving up to GA from South FL (12+ hours) next weekend so I wanna make damned sure it doesn't happen again.

 

[KokomoGSTmp]

As long as your guy uses Telfon PASTE and nice AN lines the darn thing should be bulletproof. It kinda sucks that AN lines are very expensive per foot and the fittings are similarly a ripoff.

It's just a simple fluid/oil cooler if you come down to it. It can be done without the AN lines and done very well for the $170. If you're concerned about it's health in heavy stop/go traffic, I might even consider getting a cooler large enough to mount a small puller fan on it seperate from the area of your AC condenser & radiator. Standard tube is fairly cheap.