Date: Mon, 11 Apr 2011 12:44:58 -0700
Reply-To: Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Subject: Re: AT cooler?
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="utf-8"; reply-type=original
Hi..
sure you can do that.
An air type ATF oil cooler is commonly added to ( and water-cooled ATF
cooler that you currently have is remvoed ) for subaru engine conversions
on vans with an auto trans.
My guess is that an air type oil cooler will cool the ATF better than the
cooling system connected cooler you have now. ATF will always be at least
coolant temp of 180 or so with what you have now ..
and when things are really hot ....many not cool the ATF that well.
on the other hand ..your current set up also warms up the ATF sooner ..as it
is wamred by the engine's coolant too when first driving.
tell you what ..
since that is a useful device already on the van ..
if it's working properly .....rather than re-engineer things , I'd just go
to a synthetic ATF ..which can handle higher temps better. I use Royal
Purple synthetic ATF ..
makes the van go better too, having that in the trans.
if you do want to go to an air type ATF cooler..you can buy one at any FLAPS
just about ..
and the high temp oil resistant hose you'll need.
for fittings...KEP sells a nice little kit ..
you remove the stock cooler from the front of your trans ( need to lower
down the front of the trans some usuallly , for access ) .....and attach
your hoses there..
I put the new ATF cooler just forward of the left rear wheel..
up in that space there....then I make a rock-guard screen for it, to protect
it from foreign object damage.
the stock oil cooler can mess up ..not too common, but once in a while they
fail internally and you start getting coolant and ATF mixed .......very
nasty ...something you never want happening.
the 'right way' to start on whether or not to add a better/different type of
ATF cooler, would be to monitor ATF temps for six months or a year, to get
an idea if you are really pushing the thermal limits of your ATF on your
summer trips etc.
- so you have 'some intelligence' about what the actual requirements and
current dangers, if any, are.
Scott
www.turbovans.com
scott
----- Original Message -----
From: "Rocket J Squirrel" <camping.elliott@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Monday, April 11, 2011 11:32 AM
Subject: AT cooler?
> There's probably been numerous threads about this, so maybe someone can
> point me to one.
>
> The local mechanic said that putting something like tencentlife's oil
> cooler on (I have one on order) is a good idea, but in his experience,
> cooling the transmission is even more critical.
>
> Mine's an auto transmission.
>
> Are there good kits out there for this?
>
> --
> Rocky J Squirrel
> '84 Westfalia: Mellow Yellow ("The Electrical Banana")
> '74 Westrailia: (Ladybug Trailer company, San Juan Capistrano, Calif.)
> Bend, OR
> KG6RCR
