Suggestions on the absolute best ATF cooler on the market / electric fan set up??

wisconsin_quat · 06-05-2006, 08:14 AM

Now that I have my transmission freshly rebuilt (hunting taken care of as well). By the way, a great place to get your trans rebuilt is "Authorized Transmission Centers". The branch I used is located in Vernon Hills Illinois. I believe they have a website and other locations. Looks like they do major transmission jobs, I saw DHL trucks there and other commercial vehicles being repaired. They offer a 24 month/ 24,000 warranty on the transmissions. They fully rebuilt my torque converter (to fix the hunting) and also rebuilt my transmission. The cost was $2500. I plan on installing a heavy duty ATF cooler with a electric fan set up just for the cooler to protect my investment.

While towing my 16ft 2000lb boat a couple months ago, I vaged the car and saw ATF temperatures in the 110's - 120's (115-117 for sure), and yep, that's celcius..! Can't be good for the trans.

I'm hoping to spend less then $150-$200 for the set up. I've scoured EBay but didn't see much to my liking...

ryoung · 06-05-2006, 09:13 AM

These Fluidyne coolers are lightweight and only 1" thick. I forgot which width (18", 22", 23", or 27") would have been the best fit. With as much surface area as these provide, I doubt that you'd need a fan, and you'd probably need an Inline Thermostat to avoid overcooling in the winter.

....... Fluidyne Cooler .... Perma-Cool Thermostat

TSHong · 06-05-2006, 03:38 PM

I am thinking of installing the cooler after the radiator in line so the trans fluid would be cooled but not too cold.

wisconsin_quat · 06-05-2006, 11:26 PM

Is the perma cool thermostat pictured in your post self contained - I mean does it restrict flow below a certain temperature without the need for any other parts?

The trans cooler I bought is the 9 pass Fluidyne pictured below. I plan on installing it on the auxilary fan side, in front of the radiator, then install a thermostat which will trigger the aux. fan via a direct power source unless I can find the exact wire/ relay which trips that fan.

ryoung · 06-06-2006, 06:17 AM

Here's an illustration from VR_Life's S4 installation.

ATF flow is never restricted, and no other parts are needed (except hose w/ fittings). You shouldn't need to do anything with the existing aux electric fan, it already turns on automatically when hot.

A. When cold, all ATF flows

tranny -> existing oil-water exchanger -> thermostat -> tranny

B. As the car warms, the internal bypass begins allowing flow to the new cooler, until ...

C. When hot, all ATF flows

tranny -> existing oil-water exchanger -> thermostat -> new oil-air exchanger -> thermostat -> tranny

06-05-2006, 09:13 AM	#2
ryoung Elder Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Mar 2001 Posts: 11,968	I was considering a Fluidyne cooler. These Fluidyne coolers are lightweight and only 1" thick. I forgot which width (18", 22", 23", or 27") would have been the best fit. With as much surface area as these provide, I doubt that you'd need a fan, and you'd probably need an Inline Thermostat to avoid overcooling in the winter. ....... Fluidyne Cooler .... Perma-Cool Thermostat __________________ 2001 Audi S8 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser

06-05-2006, 03:38 PM	#3
TSHong AudiWorld Senior Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 825	I was thinking about running it in line with the radiator. I am thinking of installing the cooler after the radiator in line so the trans fluid would be cooled but not too cold. __________________ 2005 A8L W12. Alpine MRXM 55 Mono Amp, JL Audio 12W3V3 Sub, K&N air filters, and cross drilled rotors.

06-05-2006, 11:26 PM	#4
wisconsin_quat AudiWorld Senior Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 1,758	Bought a Fluidyne cooler today from ebay... Question about the thermostat... Is the perma cool thermostat pictured in your post self contained - I mean does it restrict flow below a certain temperature without the need for any other parts? The trans cooler I bought is the 9 pass Fluidyne pictured below. I plan on installing it on the auxilary fan side, in front of the radiator, then install a thermostat which will trigger the aux. fan via a direct power source unless I can find the exact wire/ relay which trips that fan. __________________ 03 A4 1.8TQ * previous vehicles: 01 S4 * 98 A4 Avant * 97 A8 4.2Q * 98 A4Q * 93 90 * 88 80 * 87 5KT** Milwaukee, Wisconsin 12 years of Audi service and parts experience.

06-06-2006, 06:17 AM	#5
ryoung Elder Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Mar 2001 Posts: 11,968	When cold, ATF bypasses the cooler. Here's an illustration from VR_Life's S4 installation. ATF flow is never restricted, and no other parts are needed (except hose w/ fittings). You shouldn't need to do anything with the existing aux electric fan, it already turns on automatically when hot. A. When cold, all ATF flows tranny -> existing oil-water exchanger -> thermostat -> tranny B. As the car warms, the internal bypass begins allowing flow to the new cooler, until ... C. When hot, all ATF flows tranny -> existing oil-water exchanger -> thermostat -> new oil-air exchanger -> thermostat -> tranny __________________ 2001 Audi S8 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Welcome to AudiWorld!
		Welcome to AudiWorld.com. You are currently viewing our forum as a guest, which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our community, at no cost, you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is free, fast and simple, join AudiWorld.com today!