Need help installing tranny cooler ASAP!

[damronjr]

I really want to get this in before I leave Fri but I want to make sure I know what I'm doing before I get into this. It appears to be pretty simple with just cutting 1 hose and routing that through the cooler, but I just want to get the specifics so I make sure I do it right! If someone could give me a good detailed write-up I would really appreciate it. I'm kind of stupid, but I did swap my engine out with a little help, so I think with a good write-up I could figure it out. Pics would be even better!

[AKLGT]

sorry, have no clue. i have to install myself and don't know how. you really need to autocross your vibe! i'm sure you'd do great, especially with the s/c!

[djb383]

Don't cut any lines. The fluid return line is at the lower passenger side of the radiator. You'll find a short rubber hose that is attached between the radiator fitting and the metal return line going back to the tranny. Remove (and keep) that short rubber hose as it can be reinstalled if you later remove the tranny cooler. Attach a rubber hose at the radiator fitting and the other end of the hose to the tranny cooler. Then run a rubber hose from the tranny cooler to the metal return line going back to the tranny. The hose in the upper circle runs from the radiator to the tranny cooler. The hose in the lower circle is from the tranny cooler to the metal return line going back to the tranny.Mount the cooler toward the passenger side behind the grill and this will help to keep your rubber hose runs as short as possible.click to enlarge

[damronjr]

Quote, originally posted by djb383 »Don't cut any lines. The fluid return line is at the lower passenger side of the radiator. You'll find a short rubber hose that is attached between the radiator fitting and the metal return line going back to the tranny. Remove (and keep) that short rubber hose as it can be reinstalled if you later remove the tranny cooler. Attach a rubber hose at the radiator fitting and the other end of the hose to the tranny cooler. Then run a rubber hose from the tranny cooler to the metal return line going back to the tranny. The hose in the upper circle runs from the radiator to the tranny cooler. The hose in the lower circle is from the tranny cooler to the metal return line going back to the tranny.Mount the cooler toward the passenger side behind the grill and this will help to keep your rubber hose runs as short as possible.click to enlargeHmm, not sure what I'm looking at there, but I will go take a look tomorrow with the pic and see if I can figure it out. I see what you're saying about ot cutting the line and just removing and keeping it though. Didn't realize that before. Should be easy, just didn't understand why people were saying it took 3 hrs to do if it seems so simple.

[djb383]

That picture is from under the car, black plastic panel removed, looking up at the lower radiator hose from the engine side.

[BlueCrush]

There's this new feature here on GenVibe called the "Search" button. I know your kinda new here, so I thought I would help you out. Ha, Ha. (just givin' ya poop)There were two links that came up when I searched for "Tranny Cooler".This one and http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=20931It has some info and pics that may be able to help you out. Sorry I haven't had time to do a write up on it at all and dont' foresee time in the near future for it either. It should only take you about and 1-1/2 hours to do it. Good Luck.

[damronjr]

Quote, originally posted by BlueCrush »There's this new feature here on GenVibe called the "Search" button. I know your kinda new here, so I thought I would help you out. Ha, Ha. (just givin' ya poop)There were two links that came up when I searched for "Tranny Cooler".This one and http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=20931It has some info and pics that may be able to help you out. Sorry I haven't had time to do a write up on it at all and dont' foresee time in the near future for it either. It should only take you about and 1-1/2 hours to do it. Good Luck. Listen here smartee! I saw that thread and others here and on MO, but was looking for something a little better with better pics since the person who TOLD me they were going to help me out and do a nice write-up for me with good pics had their car die and never got around to it! I'm just afraid that b/c I don't know exactly what I'm doing and don't have help that I'm going to screw something up or not do it right. Was going to do it tomorrow, but forgot I have to go to a class at the unemployment building tomorrow afternoon.

[Lancer]

It's really easy to do. It is a little time consuming, though. I'd show you pics of mine bit mine is still in the shop getting a custom tranny.You can see the hoses under the radiator on the pass. side. Remove the BOTTEM one and tap that into your top nipple of your cooler. Run the hose from the lower nipple of your cooler back to where the hose from your radiator fed into the engine.The hardest part for me was trying to figure out where to place the cooler with the limited hose I had. Actually turned out really nice.Sorry again for no pics!

[damronjr]

Quote, originally posted by Lancer »It's really easy to do. It is a little time consuming, though. I'd show you pics of mine bit mine is still in the shop getting a custom tranny.You can see the hoses under the radiator on the pass. side. Remove the BOTTEM one and tap that into your top nipple of your cooler. Run the hose from the lower nipple of your cooler back to where the hose from your radiator fed into the engine.The hardest part for me was trying to figure out where to place the cooler with the limited hose I had. Actually turned out really nice.Sorry again for no pics!Thanks, good info! Where did you end up mounting the cooler and how? I have 4ft of hose that came with mine.

[Lancer]

That 4ft was barely just enough for me! I mounted mine in front of the radiator on the lower drivers side. And fed the hoses through a little notch in the center of the under carrage, underneath the car. Where the 2 splash guards meet in the middle. Made it so there was 3/4" space between the tranny cooler and radiator. Used thicker zipties and the premade holes in the radiator frame to mount the cooler.And to think that a tranny shop charges $200 to have this done! I think I spent a total of $50 for everything.

[BlueCrush]

I went and quick took some pics, Jason.From Lower OEM TRanny Cooler Nipple:(Pink arrow)To top of aftermarket tranny cooler (View from above):From Bottom of aftermarket Tranny cooler (View from below)To return line to tranny: (Green arrow on first pic)Hope this helps a little bit. I didn't have time to do a big write up.

[damronjr]

Thanks Brian! I thought you were supposed to mount it further from the radiator?

[BlueCrush]

It's kinda hard to see but there are 1/2" spacers in there that came with the kit. You can see them on the 3rd pic.

[damronjr]

Quote, originally posted by damronjr »Thanks Brian! I thought you were supposed to mount it further from the radiator?Oh ok. Most pics I've sen they are mounted like by the grill or something. Hopefully I'll get it done in the next couple of days.

[djb383]

This is mounted behind the lower grill directly in the air flow and unaffected by heat from the condensor. I'm not a big fan of the nylon thingys that hold the cooler to the condensor or radiator - I actually had one wear a pin hole in the condensor (on another vehicle) from vibration and lost freon.click to enlarge

[damronjr]

Quote, originally posted by djb383 »This is mounted behind the lower grill directly in the air flow and unaffected by heat from the condensor. I'm not a big fan of the nylon thingys that hold the cooler to the condensor or radiator - I actually had one wear a pin hole in the condensor (on another vehicle) from vibration and lost freon.Are your mounts custom? Mine didn't come with anything like that and I saw those pics earlier when I was searching for info and was wondering.

[northvibe]

Okay so I have a vacation next week and I want to do a TON of mods while summer is still in effect. What brand Tranny coolers did you guys purchase?damronjr - djb383's mount looks like a 90 degree bend metal thing that can be bought in a hardware store. thats a good idea djb, i think ill steal that and mount mine that way...make ppl think im tubro'd

[damronjr]

Quote, originally posted by northvibe »Okay so I have a vacation next week and I want to do a TON of mods while summer is still in effect. What brand Tranny coolers did you guys purchase?damronjr - djb383's mount looks like a 90 degree bend metal thing that can be bought in a hardware store. thats a good idea djb, i think ill steal that and mount mine that way...make ppl think im tubro'd Yeah, still haven't done mine yet!

[Petrucci914]

So, unhooking these two hoses, will tranny fluid start just pouring out of them? If so, is there an area on the line where I can 'crimp' it?BC, did you have to replace both of those hoses with the hosing that came with the cooler, or were you able to re-use some or all of them?

[djb383]

You only unhook/remove one hose, the short one and a very small amount of fluid will drain but enough that you should buy a qt and top it off after the cooler install.

[damronjr]

Never did get mine in!

[djb383]

Well.................git'er done!

[damronjr]

Quote, originally posted by djb383 »Well.................git'er done!I was waiting for Christmas, guess I missed that! lol

[djb383]

Bummer! You don't love your tranny.

[BlueCrush]

Quote, originally posted by Petrucci914 »So, unhooking these two hoses, will tranny fluid start just pouring out of them? If so, is there an area on the line where I can 'crimp' it?BC, did you have to replace both of those hoses with the hosing that came with the cooler, or were you able to re-use some or all of them?I pulled only one off from below, I had my new hose right there ready to put on so I only had a few drops drain out. I replace both hoses becasue the existing ones were not long enough to reach the new cooler in front of the radiator.

[jetmech727]

Just so I'm on the same page here, these coolers hook up after the radiator, so the radiators cooling is still in use? This is my first cooler so I just want to be clear on them. The cooler is supplemental cooling, correct? It's not meant to replace the original cooling?Thanks

[keithvibe]

Quote, originally posted by jetmech727 »Just so I'm on the same page here, these coolers hook up after the radiator, so the radiators cooling is still in use? This is my first cooler so I just want to be clear on them. The cooler is supplemental cooling, correct? It's not meant to replace the original cooling?ThanksYES!

[BlueCrush]

Quote, originally posted by jetmech727 »Just so I'm on the same page here, these coolers hook up after the radiator, so the radiators cooling is still in use? This is my first cooler so I just want to be clear on them. The cooler is supplemental cooling, correct? It's not meant to replace the original cooling?ThanksNO- The aftermarket tranny cooler goes in front of the radiator and only takes up a small space. The oem tranny cooler is after the radiator. YES- the aftermarket tranny cooler is supplemental. NO- It is not meant to replace any oem part.

[jetmech727]

Thanks for the help. When I said after the rad, I meant after the fluid had gone through the rad. My mistake on that one. One final question: Do these coolers have a top and bottom to them? Can they be positioned with the ports facing down? Just wanted to keep the hose's short.Thanks again.