Impressions on the tranny cooler install on a 5th gen:

If you're going to get a tranny cooler because you're also getting an SC, get the cooler first. Might want to get the oil cooler first too. It's very difficult to install the cooler because the SC intake piping gets in the way of pushing the radiator back to make room to install the binding strips for the cooler.

About the B&M cooler, you still need to buy extra hose to make this kit work. Some people have said no extra hose is needed, but they've probably got it installed differently than what the instructions say. I paid $7 from Pep-Boys for the Hayden accessories hose for their cooler kit. A lot of the pieces in the B&M kit aren't needed (it's a universal kit made for many cars).
The install on a 5th gen is a lot harder because there's more stuff in the way between the AC condenser and the front grille.
Get ready to jack the car up to get to the hoses.
The entire install took about 2.5 hours, but it would have been faster if I could have tilted the radiator back further.

I was more ****ed than satisfied with this installation. Hopefully I feel the benefits the next race I run.

 

Cool.I plan on getting the trans cooler. Does the car feel any different when it shifts or does it feel pretty much the same??I notice that after ive been racing, my tranny seems to shift harder instead of smooth like it does with normal driving.

 

I can't really tell. I drove around a little bit after the install and it felt pretty smooth, but I didn't really drive it hard enough to see any difference. I touched the cooler afterwards and it felt warm, so I guess the fluid is flowing nicely. I did feel one hard shift, I accelerated slowly from 10 mph and it kind of went "crunk", but maybe the fluid hadn't cycled completely yet. One other thing to note: the return line from the radiator to the tranny does have a slight hard bend in it. Not that restrictive like a 90 degree bend, but I'd prefer it if it were not bent at all.

 

Hmm,I see. How much additional trans fluid did you have to add after you installed the cooler?

 

None yet Gonna check it tomorrow and add more then. I lost maybe 1/10 cup of fluid when I removed the return line. I'll probably add maybe a half-quart tomorrow after work.

 

which one did you get?

the 255? 268? 264?

 

I've never noticed a difference with my Hayden and I've had it on about a year. I view the piece as preventive maintenance and not performance.

 

268 I think, the 19,000 GVW one for $45 from Jeg's.

 

Who asked you anyways It is a good maintenance thing. I should have installed it a long time ago. Next I need a tranny temp gauge to see the cooler in action.

 

hey tanman, we have identical cars... what color is your interior?

 

Identical? I have a frost interior with SC

 

After driving around today, I check the tranny fluid level and I didn't have to add any. Guess maybe I had more than necessary already in the pan?

One question: do you add tranny fluid through the dipstick tube? I can't figure out where else to add fluid and I'm pretty sure my other cars had a place to add tranny fluid.