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Trans cooler

gmcjohn

By gmcjohn
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gmcjohn Enthusiast

gmcjohn

Posted
Posted

I have a 2001 GMC sierra 1500 w/5.3. I am looking at upgrading the trans cooler to a bigger one . A) How hard is it to put on? {Anything to watchout for?}

B) What is a good brand?

C) Where can I get it?

KB06YUKONXL Enthusiast

KB06YUKONXL

Posted
Posted
I have a 2001 GMC sierra 1500 w/5.3. I am looking at upgrading the trans cooler to a bigger one . A) How hard is it to put on? {Anything to watchout for?}

B) What is a good brand?

C) Where can I get it?

 

If you want a bigger cooler I assume you are running too hot? Have you considered changing out your trans fluid to the new DexronVI which is a synthetic and should give you better performace and heat reduction? It is backward compatible to DexronIII applications and your dealer can do a trans flush and filter change and no modifications needed. Or you can do it yourself. I would give that a shot first and see if it gives you some temp reduction. You may also consider getting an oversize trans oil pan to add more fluid capacity as well while you are changing the filter.

hardav Enthusiast

hardav

Posted
Posted

I would go with using Synthetic trans fluid. I have heard good things about Amsoil synthetic ATF. I have just put it in my truck. It is hard to say if I feel a difference in shifting quality, but I would like to think that it feels better. The main difference that I was looking for was a cooler running trans. I did a complete flush and added a bigger trans cooler at the same time. With this the trans has not gotten over 105 degrees while traveling 25 highway miles to work. It has been very cold here lately though ( 0-10 degrees). I am looking to maintain my temp under 200 while pulling a camper this summer.

 

Hayden makes a great stacked plate cooler. I would recomend this over the traditional tube and fin design. I used part number 1679, Easy to install and everything i needed came in the box.

 

As far as flushing the trans. Drain your trans, drop your pan, replace your filter, reinstrall the pan, add the amount of fluid back into the trans that you drained, locate the pressure side of your trans line at your external cooler, disconnect it, connect a hose to it, put the hose in a bucket, have someone start your truck, let about a quart drain into bucket, shut off truck, add a quart back into trans, repeat the draining process untill you have ran approx. 12-14 quarts into the bucket. You should see a change in the color of the fluid, this is a great indiactor that the job is complete. New synthetic fluid, filter and cooler should help eliminate your overheating issues.

 

Good Luck

C & A s Dad Senior Enthusiast

C & A s Dad

Posted
Posted

John, Bill has given you great advise on the cooler and the fluid. Hayden is our (CARQUEST) supplier and their 3/4" stacked plate coolers are the way to go. Our part # is a 77423 which is 11" x 11 5/8" by 3/4" thick. This is approx twice the size as your oe cooler. You want to stay away from the tube and fin coolers or the 1 1/2" thick stacked plate coolers. They do not offer the same air to surface cooling as the 3/4" thickness coolers. It will fit back right where your OE cooler is with limited modification. I did not even cut my lines. I would suggest you search this on this forum and you will find where I have posted some instructions. If you are unclear on what I did, PM me and I will be glad to share it with you. I would sugges that you also buy a 77018 bracket kit and 2 rubber bushings like used on a shock mount. You will need these pieces to make your install complete.

 

Mine looks as good or better than the OE install. I did this for the same reason you are, I am towing a 6400 lb camper with my Yukon XL.

 

PS I also did a complete flush with Amsoil ATF and installed an Interceptor scan gauge to monitor my trans temps.

ewood01 Enthusiast

ewood01

Posted
Posted

B&M also sells some nice trans coolers and you can even get them with a fan mount if room allows. I believe in the bigger the better theory when it comes to trans coolers. Also being able to monitor your trans temp is a big help.

C & A s Dad Senior Enthusiast

C & A s Dad

Posted
Posted

Ethan, B & M is a great product but the last time I looked, they offered only a tube and fin style cooler. There is nothing wrong with this style but they simply are not as efficient as a stacked plate cooler. This means the T & F cooler would have to be 50% to 60% larger than the SP cooler to produce the same results. SP coolers also flow much better due to less restriction.

 

I considered one of the coolers with the fan thinking that if you were stuck in traffic or idleing that it woud be of benefit. I contacted our supplier, Hayden, who offers units like this. Their engineering dept suggested I not do this for my application. They said it would acutally restrict a great deal of air flow under normal driving and would only benefit me if I was not moving. These units are really designed to be used where there is little to no air flow.

 

I hope you did not take this as me disputing your info, I just have done a ton of research on Trans coolers with much of my info coming from Hayden. Hope this helps.

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