Transmission oil cooler

[WPS 73 Bronco]

It’s time to figure out what I’m going to do for transmission oil cooling. The griffin radiator has ports for it, but I was told it’s in adequate. My setup is an LS3 tied to a 6L80 tranny + Atlas 2 TC.

I’ve looked at radiator style and heat sink. I’m leaning towards heat sink. Any opinions or suggestions?

 

[Yeller]

The cooler in the radiator has inadequate flow for a 6l80. That transmission requires 1/2” or -8 lines. This has become My go to cooler. It uses standard 3/4-16 JIC oring boss fittings so you can adapt it to any fitting style you desire in 1/2”.

 

[WPS 73 Bronco]

Where are you mounting it? In front of radiator?

 

[Yeller]

When possible, yes. If not, I get a different unit with a fan on it and mount it where it fits.

 

[Broncobowsher]

For future reference, Ron Davis has an engine oil cooler option that has the flow capacity. And you can have it installed on the cold side of the radiator and use it as a high flow transmission oil cooler.

 

[lars]

The cooler in the radiator has inadequate flow for a 6l80. That transmission requires 1/2” or -8 lines. This has become My go to cooler. It uses standard 3/4-16 JIC oring boss fittings so you can adapt it to any fitting style you desire in 1/2”.

Now that is a gigantic cooler. I it. The ORB ports are a nice touch. Unfortunately the 22.85" dimension would make for packaging problems behind my grill. Or maybe not, I'd better measure. Maybe I can get myself (another) Christmas present. Thanks for the link!

 

[toddz69]

Now that is a gigantic cooler. I it. The ORB ports are a nice touch. Unfortunately the 22.85" dimension would make for packaging problems behind my grill. Or maybe not, I'd better measure. Maybe I can get myself (another) Christmas present. Thanks for the link!

Should be fine. That's what I'm switching to at some point - it's the same width as the 7.3 cooler but a little taller (actually the same height as the V10 cooler.

Todd Z.

 

[Yeller]

I’m running a 7.3 cooler on mine and at any given time you can hold your hand on the transmission pan

Have the one in the link on my J Truck. 95 degree day towing the bronco down the interstate for 2 hours, same can hold the pan for 12 seconds before it’s more than you want to hang onto. Actual temps who knows, don’t care it’s not hot.

 

[1sicbronconut]

Now that is a gigantic cooler. I it. The ORB ports are a nice touch. Unfortunately the 22.85" dimension would make for packaging problems behind my grill. Or maybe not, I'd better measure. Maybe I can get myself (another) Christmas present. Thanks for the link!

I'm just guessing they'll be no maybe about it!

 

[Apogee]

I’m running a 7.3 cooler on mine and at any given time you can hold your hand on the transmission pan

Have the one in the link on my J Truck. 95 degree day towing the bronco down the interstate for 2 hours, same can hold the pan for 12 seconds before it’s more than you want to hang onto. Actual temps who knows, don’t care it’s not hot.

That's awesome. FWIW, 135°F is about where it becomes uncomfortable to touch for any extended period of time, depending on the person of course and the conductivity of the material you're touching. If your hands have been abused a bit more than usual, maybe up to 150°F for the folks missing some nerve endings. I know my brother has a similar plate style cooler on his 4L65E trans in his Toyota, and it rarely reads on the temp gauge that starts around 145°F when he's just cruising round town, and then usually comes up a little bit when he's off-roading or really beating on it.

 

[ntsqd]

I got Snowball's trans pan sump temp up to 160°F the other day. I might need that cooler!

 

[WPS 73 Bronco]

Yeller, the one you linked won’t fit. Maybe I need some input on how to make it fit. It interferes with the hood latch.

If not, w hat’s your thoughts on this one?

 

[ntsqd]

Tube & fin are usually the lowest performing coolers. No matter how fancy they get with internal "turbulators" and what-not.

 

[WPS 73 Bronco]

I talked with Mishmoto and they suggested to mount it somewhere with clearance and add a fan instead of using the one I posted.

 

[Yeller]

This is the smallest unit I prefer to use with a fan. They are super easy to mount, there are a lot of these sitting on bronco inner fenders.

 

[Broncobowsher]

Anyone consider a stand alone oil to water cooler?
Quicky search, something like this https://ph.parker.com/us/en/product-list/pwo-standard-brazed-water-oil-cooler
Really common in the OEMs these days. I've seen transmissions that have no fluid lines to the radiator, just a couple of heater hoses (really dedicated coolant circuit) that run to the transmission. The transmission is really sealed, you can remove and install one without ever seeing a drop of transmission fluid. But you will be dropping the coolant to change the transmission.

 

[bronco italiano]

Yeller, the one you linked won’t fit. Maybe I need some input on how to make it fit. It interferes with the hood latch.

If not, w hat’s your thoughts on this one?

View attachment 937251

I put mine under the passenger seat area

 

[pbwcr]

Back in the day I did extensive trans cooling effort. I was posted on the forum back then. To summarize:
To achieve successful trans cooling it is hard to beat a Ford salvage yard oem stack plate cooler. Mount it in front of the radiator and then deal with air flow. My most successful set up is a tight fitting shroud and 18" Ford 11 blade fan with a HD clutch.
Your plumbing is also a design consideration. If you want to heat the trans for cold weather then a thermostat is usually recommended to get trans cooling for normal or hot days.
Of course I never have had an EB with a 6r80 of a 10R80 , but I would bet this setup would be successful for either. However if someone would try this that after testing I bet two of the Ford flat plate units in series would be overkill.

 

[ntsqd]

FWIW the 6.0 PSD's had what looks an awful lot like a second A/C condenser, in size and in construction, for a trans cooler.

 

[Yeller]

FWIW the 6.0 PSD's had what looks an awful lot like a second A/C condenser, in size and in construction, for a trans cooler.

The mishmoto cooler i posted is basically that cooler with ORB ports. It’s a LOT of cooler lol.