GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

I haven't been able to find very good info on how to install a tranny cooler. I found a forum post on the matrix site but none of the pictures actually worked. Has anyone done this yet? I am planning on towing a utility trailer with as much stuff as I can fit (hopefully without ruining my vehicle) from Eastern CA to Denver in mid August, so I think a tranny cooler could definately help. Any suggestions on which one to get? I was looking at the Tru Cool 4452 (http://www.transmissioncoolers.us/categ ... -thin.html). Would that require a lot of modifying of the vehicle? I'm mechanically minded, but I'm not an expert mechanic (I've changed easy things like struts and I do my own fluid changes), is this going to be a job that I shouldn't attempt? From the info I have found it doesn't sound terribly hard, but a little time consuming.

Does anyone have experience [url]with: http://www.amazon.com/Hayden-Automotive ... rapid+cool" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;[/url]???

I installed a B&M #70264.

viewtopic.php?f=12&t=16730&p=441479&hil ... er#p441479" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I installed the Tru Cool piece in my 2004 Vibe, the kit is very complete...piece of cake to install. I mounted the cooler down low in front of the radiator right behind the passenger side lower grill. Use the self tapping screws (requires you to drill 2 pilot holes). I suggest you not use the plastic "T's" that fish through the radiator, while they are easy to install, I am not a big fan of stuff touching the cooling fins etc. Take your time and think through the installation, you'll be fine.

Pat

Very easy to install (and I am very un-mechanically inclined haha). Put one in this spring, took an hour or so working at a leisurely pace.

DiveNut wrote:I installed the Tru Cool piece in my 2004 Vib

I'm curious to which one in their line-up you choose? I assume it's the 4452?

http://www.transmissioncoolers.us/categ ... -thin.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I was wondering what other options there was. Looks like the Derale D13501 would do the trick also:

http://www.etrailer.com/question-16541.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thanks!
cyth

Unfortunately I could not locate the BTU rating of the Derale D13501 but it looks like the Tru-Cool LPD 4452 and B&M 70264 are 14.5k and 9.8k respectively.

While the Tru-Cool and Derale units are 3/4" deep, the B&M is twice that much at 1" 1/2. All three are 11" wide. The Derale and Tru-Cool are 5" 3/4 tall. The B&M is 6" tall.

So aside from depth, all units are about the same physical dimensions.

I wrote to etraler and Derale themselves to obtain the BTU rating of the D13501.

Beside physical dimensions and BTU rating, what should I check? Beside the etrailer specs on the Derale unit, I could not locate warranty statements.

B&M 70264: http://bmracing.com/?wpsc-product=autom ... -11x6x1-12" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
B&M 70255: http://bmracing.com/?wpsc-product=autom ... 11x5-34x34" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Derale D13501: http://www.etrailer.com/Transmission-Co ... 13501.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Tru-Cool LPD 4452: http://www.transmissioncoolers.us/categ ... -thin.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thanks!

EDIT: Forgot to check the Hayden Automotive 676. Apparently, same dimensions as the Derale and Tru-Cool units. No BTU specs. However, I notice that some units mention also a GVW(R) which, I asume is Gross Vehicule Weight (Rating). The Hayden is 18k pounds. Derale 15.5k, Tru-Cool 14.5k. B&M does not seems to provide that specification.

From Hayden web site, I could not locate the 676 and from their catalog, the model numbers are five digits long. They do have a lot of options: http://www.haydenauto.com/upload/Hayden ... oolers.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Also, while browsing I found from B&M product #70255 which have the same physical dimensions and BTU rating as the Derale and Tru-Cool units.