ATX Cooler recommendations?

[Boots Langley]

Hi SHO Folks,
I'm ready to add a trans cooler to my 96 SHO. Could those of you who have also done so, share with me your recommendations, and experiences with mounting the piece.

Also, can the transmission shift kit be added to the ATX without completely disassembling the trans? Can it be done from below? Shift kit recommendations too please.

Finally, I see that the torque converter is made to lock up when it is given a "Tune". Would someone who is well versed in this technology, please educate me on the pro's and con's of the stock converter as it is, and when it is made to lock up via a Tune.
Thanks in advance.
Cheers
Boots Langley
[email protected]
1-619-466-7298

 

[projectSHO89]

1. Find the largest stacked plate (not fin and tube) cooler you can fit in there.

2. No. The kits are not "add-ons". The AX4N must be in a substantial state of disassembly in order to install them.

Steve

 

[Silvapain]

I run a gen 2 SHO ATX cooler only - bypassed the in-radiator unit. Cools fine in the summer and I have to run a remote thermostat to get it up to temp in the winter. Perma-Cool sells a remote tranny thermostat with a 180F opening temp at Summitracing.com

 

[92ShoOff]

I haven't installed it on my SHO yet, but I have it installed on my GTO and it cools the transmission fluid temperature like crazy! It's the Derale Atomic-Cool. I ordered the version with the electric fan which utilizes a thermostat to kick the fan on when the fluid reaches 180 degrees. I run a 3200 Vigilante stall converter in the GTO which keeps things hotter than a stock converter would.... and it's unusual for the fluid to get above 165 degrees while cruising on a stinking-hot day. The fans barely ever need to come on... bypass the factory cooler in the radiator and it'll probably stay even a few degrees cooler. It's a great cooler and it's what I'm going to also use on the SHO when I get around to it. Hope that helps!

 

[Boots Langley]

V8 SHO ATX cooler

Hi SHO Folks,
thanks for the tips.

Are there any difficulties in mounting the Derale (or any other) ATX cooler?

I see that Summit has a Derale "Electra Cool" unit with a 10" reversible "Tornado" fan, 16-pass, high-capacity core for $146.
Good for vehicles up to 25,000lb GVW.
That may seem like overkill, but it was 100 degrees here in San Diego this last weekend!
I'll need all the cooling help I can get.

Would anyone want to chim in on torque converter tech 101?
Thanks in advance.
Cheers
Boots Langley

 

[Silvapain]

You can over-cool the transmission. You want it to operate in a range of 175-225°F.

 

[SHOZ123]

Get a Gen 2 cooler. It's a perfect fit and cheap (usually).

The TC will be made to lock up and stay locked up. With the OEM programming it will lock/unlock every 1/2 mile or so when the AC compressor is engaged. It also will unlock with the slightest increase in TP with OEM programming.

A tune will reduce the times this happens. This will increase the life of the TC, increase gas mileage and keep the fluid cooler.

 

[Exitwound]

It also will unlock with the slightest increase in TP with OEM programming.

That's the part that bothers me the most. If i'm cruising down the road and I slightly let off or slightly accell it will unlock when in reality it would make more sense for it to stay locked within certain TP parameters.

I need a tune!

 

[SHOZ123]

I could have a flasher and tunes in your hands in 4 days if you want.

 

[Boots Langley]

Gen II ATX cooler wanted! ;-)

Hi SHO Folks,
thanks Paul, and all, for your replys.

Well, that now begs the question; does anyone have a Gen II ATX Oil Cooler for sale at a "reasonable' price.

Q; How much modification is needed to use the V6 cooler on the V8?

I can PayPal.
Thanks in advance.
Cheers
Boots Langley
1-619-466-7298
[email protected]

 

[Silvapain]

No real modifications necessary, aside from mounting the cooler. I mounted mine to the underside of the front bumper. Only downside is the metal on the bumper is super-hard, and it's difficult to drill into.

 

[SHO Dude]

FWIW, we still have our Original Gen III Cooler kits available for $159, plus a little shipping.

The kit comes with everything you need to install the cooler behind the grill. It uses high volume fittings for the transmission, new cooler lines, a thermostatic bypass valve for quick warm-ups and a complete set of instructions for the DIY'r.

Kits are in stock and ready to ship. should only take an afternoon to install.
We too have programming options for your Gen III, or any other Ford based vehicle.

 

[SuperHO]

Eh, this thread ain't too old to bump.....


Paul....say I'm gonna get a gen II ATX cooler for the 98.....where are the lines, and do they need to be extended/modified to work? And if I put this puppy on, will the damn tranny stop shuddering after it warms up? I threw some lucas in, and it helped considerably, but not completely. It's not just during the 4th gear lockup, but also in 3rd gear as well...I've not noticed it in 2nd yet. Also, before I added the lucas, the tranny would "stutter" upon lockup in 4th. It don't do that no more. So I'm kinda hopin adding an ATX cooler will help prolong the inevitable rebuild I know I have coming.


One other thing....Advanced Auto has a nice one....I think this is the one I was looking at http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductDetail.aspx?MfrCode=FLE&MfrPartNumber=4116&CategoryCode=3352B

Would that work as well as the Gen II cooler or better or worse? I've got access to a gen II cooler for cheaper, but if that works better, i'll spend a little extra cash.

And anyone got a write-up on how to install on the gen III? Not mounting, but running the lines and what-have-you?

:thankyou:

 

[SHOZ123]

The G2 cooler is the best. But it won't fix a bad tranny. It also needs a t-stat or will run too cold in the winter.

Lucas... might as well be adding butter.

 

[SuperHO]

:Ohreally: well chris (mr anonymous) told me to with the lucas....blame him. as for the thermostat, where would i find one and where would i mount it?

 

[SHOZ123]

T-stat is a PermaCool 1060 Remote Oil Thermostat with 3/8" NPT(int) Ports

http://www.perma-cool.com/Catalog/Cat_page14.html

Summit or Jegs have them.

 

[SuperHO]

How about the tranny lines? I believe they run into the radiator somewhere? If so, do I just yank em out, hook em up to the gen II cooler with a couple of hose clamps and call it good? Also, can I zip-tie the cooler to the A/C condensor as a mounting point, or does it need to be hard mounted with a gap behind it?

 

[SHOZ123]

The gen 2 cooler is a perfect fit to mount under the metal bumper. Hard metal to drill into so start with a small bit and work your way up.

The radiator cooler can be eliminated. Just loop the passenger side of the OEM aux cooler and the g2 cooler together.

 

[SuperHO]

happen to have a picture of the line routing setup? I don't wanna get in there and realize that I'm running things in the complete wrong direction until I start the car and pour expensive automotive fluids all over my rental property's driveway..........again....:theyareontome:

 

[SHOZ123]

There are two hoses coming out of the tranny. Connect one to the drivers side OEM aux cooler, loop the pass. side end of this to the pass side end of the g2 cooler. Then g2 cooler drivers side back to the tranny.

You will need about 5' of 3/8" tranny hose and some good hose clamps. Do not cut the passenger side loop hose too short as you don't want any kinkage.

You can just cut the OEM hose to fit and leave the radiator lines hang where they are if you want.

You probably don't need the t-stat until winter time.

Oh>>>>>>>>>>>>>


And you should get 2-1/4" mNPT x 3/8" hose barbs. Pull the factory fittings out of the tranny and replace with the barbs. Then junk the factory steel lines in favor of 3/8" tranny hose so you need about 10" of hose. But this has been covered numerous times on the forum.





And here is something you can do to improve the air flow. This was done to the GEN4s from the factory.