Does tranny cooler kit really help?
03-20-2010, 09:47 PM
#1
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Does tranny cooler kit really help?
I'm planning to add B&M tranny cooler kit on my 5spd auto cause I'm spraying nos. For now if I spray after that my tranny shifting harder until next day. So if I get traany cooler kit will it help while running nos?
03-21-2010, 06:00 AM
#2
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Location: New Brunswick, Canada
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Well dude, I think it would help, but it is only one spoke in a four spoke wheel.
If you are running Nos, then you should get your tranny fluid changed at shorter intervals, make sure your engine coolant is at 100%, and be running synthetic oil, which I assume you are running syn oil.
If you have already cooked your oil, then you gotta get it changed out before it is too late cause cooking it dramatically decrease its effectiveness in cooling/lubing the trans.
Here is the explanation from ProCarCare:
Transmission fluid is designed to last many thousands of miles under normal conditions. However, one of the most important factors affecting the life of the fluid and the transmission is the temperature of the fluid. Overheated fluid forms sludge and particles of carbon that can block the minute passages and lines that circulate the fluid throughout the transmission. This causes the transmission to overheat even more and will lead to eventual failure of the transmission.
Some cars come from the factory with coolers that help with the temperature. The transmission oil flows through the cooler as air flows across the cooler to lower the temperature of the transmission fluid. The coolers can be purchased at any after-market store for most cars. Some cars have warning lights for the transmission that will alert the owner of any maintenance intervals or overheating problems.
Anything that puts a load on the engine can cause the transmission to heat up and speed the deterioration of the fluid. Towing a trailer, idling in traffic and climbing long hills is all hard on a transmission. The accompanying graph illustrates just how much transmission temperature affects the life of transmission components. Fluid that lasts 50,000 miles (80,450 km) at a temperature of 220°F (104°C), will only last half that long if the temperature is consistently 20° higher.
The secret to long transmission life is regular fluid changes and keeping an eye on the condition of the fluid-both temperature and color.
Website: http://www.procarcare.com/icarumba/r...3.asp#Figure21
If you are running Nos, then you should get your tranny fluid changed at shorter intervals, make sure your engine coolant is at 100%, and be running synthetic oil, which I assume you are running syn oil.
If you have already cooked your oil, then you gotta get it changed out before it is too late cause cooking it dramatically decrease its effectiveness in cooling/lubing the trans.
Here is the explanation from ProCarCare:
Transmission fluid is designed to last many thousands of miles under normal conditions. However, one of the most important factors affecting the life of the fluid and the transmission is the temperature of the fluid. Overheated fluid forms sludge and particles of carbon that can block the minute passages and lines that circulate the fluid throughout the transmission. This causes the transmission to overheat even more and will lead to eventual failure of the transmission.
Some cars come from the factory with coolers that help with the temperature. The transmission oil flows through the cooler as air flows across the cooler to lower the temperature of the transmission fluid. The coolers can be purchased at any after-market store for most cars. Some cars have warning lights for the transmission that will alert the owner of any maintenance intervals or overheating problems.
Anything that puts a load on the engine can cause the transmission to heat up and speed the deterioration of the fluid. Towing a trailer, idling in traffic and climbing long hills is all hard on a transmission. The accompanying graph illustrates just how much transmission temperature affects the life of transmission components. Fluid that lasts 50,000 miles (80,450 km) at a temperature of 220°F (104°C), will only last half that long if the temperature is consistently 20° higher.
The secret to long transmission life is regular fluid changes and keeping an eye on the condition of the fluid-both temperature and color.
Website: http://www.procarcare.com/icarumba/r...3.asp#Figure21
03-22-2010, 12:17 PM
#8
03-22-2010, 12:33 PM
#9
Keep in mind that the 5AT in the SER has the heatsink and that its the same with the maxima. Disregard the comments in the posts that follow saying that it won't work.
Here is the tranny cooler installed on the 5AT with the heatsink.
I believe for less than $100.
http://http://forums.maxima.org/6th-generation-maxima-2004-2008/597129-tranny-cooler-installed-w-pics.html
Here is the tranny cooler installed on the 5AT with the heatsink.
I believe for less than $100.
http://http://forums.maxima.org/6th-generation-maxima-2004-2008/597129-tranny-cooler-installed-w-pics.html
Last edited by Sentinal; 03-22-2010 at 05:49 PM.
03-22-2010, 01:41 PM
#12
The way the heatsink works on our transmissions is by radiatior fluid traveling through the coils in the heatsink. The heatsink is surrounded by transmission fluid. The radiator fluid in the coils cools the surrounding ATF. Thats why you and I have hoses coming out of the heatsink. They carry coolant not ATF.
03-22-2010, 05:56 PM
#16
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Maybe I'm a lil off-topic here, but how often are you spraying "nos" (ugh) and what shot? Is this after a track day or typical driving?
Seems strange that the shifting is bad on the day after. +1 on the shorter fluid change intervals though.
Seems strange that the shifting is bad on the day after. +1 on the shorter fluid change intervals though.
03-22-2010, 06:32 PM
#17
rohan what you have is a heatsink. You can add an aftermarket cooler to provide cooler water to the tranny's heatsink. Essentially what you will have would be two radiators.
Here is what you have:
And this is how you install it:
Here is what you have:
And this is how you install it:
03-22-2010, 07:14 PM
#18
There are a bunch of these transmissions out there too. I did buy my '04 in May of '03. It was an early run with VDC and Elite package.
Believe me, if I had active cooling, I would have installed a cooler years ago. lol
03-22-2010, 08:56 PM
#19
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For spraying, highly recommended. Not to mention successfully done already... Last, the pictures in post 18 are spot on, however that is not the heat-sink per say, that's the current tranny cooler and cooling vanes for heat dissipation. Here's my install...
I had to notch the bracket for a proper fit.
I had to notch the bracket for a proper fit.
03-22-2010, 09:00 PM
#20
Chern, you still have that installed, right? 
Did you consider mounting it with the hoses on the bottom, and 90 degree connectors so you could just drain the oil from the front? A lot of the Z guys have done it that way.
Did you consider mounting it with the hoses on the bottom, and 90 degree connectors so you could just drain the oil from the front? A lot of the Z guys have done it that way.
03-22-2010, 09:19 PM
#22
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First off the fluid cooling our tranny is radiator fluid, in a closed loop system you want it filled to the top so drainage is really not an issue. If I did have to drain it for some reason the bottom hose is easily removable. Last, unless you want to drill holes through the metal frame below the tranny cooler, this is the best method of install with the least amount of fabrication and cutting.
Last edited by chernmax; 03-22-2010 at 09:22 PM.
03-22-2010, 09:51 PM
#23
Ah... I got confused for a second. lol Thanks for setting me straight. I need to stop posting in 100 forums at once!
I was thinking of the oil coolers on the Z. lmao
Good deal.. Got what ya said!
I was thinking of the oil coolers on the Z. lmao
Good deal.. Got what ya said!
Last edited by Oolatec; 03-22-2010 at 10:09 PM.
03-22-2010, 11:47 PM
#24
Hey chern what BTU rating is that cooler? I was thinking about doing a 20,000 BTU cooler. Do you think that is a bit much for a NA vehicle? I am also doing an oil cooler and thermostat change out. Found a Mishimoto thermostat that opens about 28 degrees before OEM. Should help out alot. My goal is to get tranny down to about 150 degree operating temp and the engine at least 30 degrees cooler than current temp.
03-22-2010, 11:58 PM
#25
Ohh and as far as the heat sink cooler ordeal, the one pictured above is not the heat sink cooler. The heat sink cooler does not have coolant lines to it. The whole reason behind being a heat sink is to draw heat and cool off quickly. Heat sinks are used on top of processors in a Computer. Trust me there is no coolant running through your computer and those processors get hot fast. Hotter than the tranny I am sure. The reason they don't work on our car is because the heat sink location only touches a small portion of the tranny. If the casing was made of the same material as a heat sink then it would work alot better.
03-23-2010, 04:08 AM
#26
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Hey chern what BTU rating is that cooler? I was thinking about doing a 20,000 BTU cooler. Do you think that is a bit much for a NA vehicle? I am also doing an oil cooler and thermostat change out. Found a Mishimoto thermostat that opens about 28 degrees before OEM. Should help out alot. My goal is to get tranny down to about 150 degree operating temp and the engine at least 30 degrees cooler than current temp.
03-23-2010, 10:58 AM
#28
po8pimp and Oolatec...I was under the impression that Nissan only made two types of cooling systems for the transmission. The traditional way which sends ATF to a specific area in the radiator, and the way that I illustrated above, which is coolant flowing through the coils of a heatsink located inside the ATF.
So now I'm confused. Do you guys have a picture to the type of heatsink that your describing? The one that dissipates heat into the atmosphere. A FSM diagram will do or even a photo.
So now I'm confused. Do you guys have a picture to the type of heatsink that your describing? The one that dissipates heat into the atmosphere. A FSM diagram will do or even a photo.
03-23-2010, 11:04 AM
#29
po8pimp and Oolatec...I was under the impression that Nissan only made two types of cooling systems for the transmission. The traditional way which sends ATF to a specific area in the radiator, and the way that I illustrated above, which is coolant flowing through the coils of a heatsink located inside the ATF.
So now I'm confused. Do you guys have a picture to the type of heatsink that your describing? The one that dissipates heat into the atmosphere. A FSM diagram will do or even a photo.
So now I'm confused. Do you guys have a picture to the type of heatsink that your describing? The one that dissipates heat into the atmosphere. A FSM diagram will do or even a photo.
03-23-2010, 11:40 AM
#30
po8pimp and Oolatec...I was under the impression that Nissan only made two types of cooling systems for the transmission. The traditional way which sends ATF to a specific area in the radiator, and the way that I illustrated above, which is coolant flowing through the coils of a heatsink located inside the ATF.
So now I'm confused. Do you guys have a picture to the type of heatsink that your describing? The one that dissipates heat into the atmosphere. A FSM diagram will do or even a photo.
So now I'm confused. Do you guys have a picture to the type of heatsink that your describing? The one that dissipates heat into the atmosphere. A FSM diagram will do or even a photo.
03-23-2010, 12:01 PM
#31
Damn so there are more than two types?
The one on my car is the one that has coolant flowing through the metal coils. Which makes it a heatsink, no? It cools the ATF surrounding the coils and transfers the heat onto the coolant. (heat transfer)
Does anyone have a diagram or pic of the passive cooler?
The one on my car is the one that has coolant flowing through the metal coils. Which makes it a heatsink, no? It cools the ATF surrounding the coils and transfers the heat onto the coolant. (heat transfer)
Does anyone have a diagram or pic of the passive cooler?
03-23-2010, 01:51 PM
#32
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Damn so there are more than two types?
The one on my car is the one that has coolant flowing through the metal coils. Which makes it a heatsink, no? It cools the ATF surrounding the coils and transfers the heat onto the coolant. (heat transfer)
Does anyone have a diagram or pic of the passive cooler?
The one on my car is the one that has coolant flowing through the metal coils. Which makes it a heatsink, no? It cools the ATF surrounding the coils and transfers the heat onto the coolant. (heat transfer)
Does anyone have a diagram or pic of the passive cooler?
03-23-2010, 02:31 PM
#33
The reason the word heatsink was added was because Stillen uses the word when mentioning their cooler. And I believe somewhere in the FSM its also mentioned as a heatsink. I just dont have the FSM right now.
A heatsink does not have to be like one that you would find on a computer chip. I think ours can be considered a water cooled heatsink. There are a different types of heatsinks.
So the picture you posted is the air cooled version? What do the coolant lines do that are running in/out of it?
Here is a closeup of the water one in the above post. Taken from a post by you.
A heatsink does not have to be like one that you would find on a computer chip. I think ours can be considered a water cooled heatsink. There are a different types of heatsinks.
So the picture you posted is the air cooled version? What do the coolant lines do that are running in/out of it?
Here is a closeup of the water one in the above post. Taken from a post by you.
Last edited by Sentinal; 03-23-2010 at 02:37 PM.
03-23-2010, 03:31 PM
#35
So oolatec...that cant be the one you have. That one has coolant lines that run in/out of it. I still want to see a pic of the one you mentioned that has no lines. ("I have no hoses. I'm telling you.")
Edit: And i'm not trying to start an argument. Just want to see the other type that I didn't know about.
Edit: And i'm not trying to start an argument. Just want to see the other type that I didn't know about.
Last edited by Sentinal; 03-23-2010 at 03:34 PM.
03-23-2010, 03:32 PM
#36
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The reason the word heatsink was added was because Stillen uses the word when mentioning their cooler. And I believe somewhere in the FSM its also mentioned as a heatsink. I just dont have the FSM right now.
A heatsink does not have to be like one that you would find on a computer chip. I think ours can be considered a water cooled heatsink. There are a different types of heatsinks.
So the picture you posted is the air cooled version? What do the coolant lines do that are running in/out of it?
Here is a closeup of the water one in the above post. Taken from a post by you.
A heatsink does not have to be like one that you would find on a computer chip. I think ours can be considered a water cooled heatsink. There are a different types of heatsinks.
So the picture you posted is the air cooled version? What do the coolant lines do that are running in/out of it?
Here is a closeup of the water one in the above post. Taken from a post by you.
Yeah and I made a phone call to Stillen last year asking them for a diagram because I almost bought the Stillen cooler. Stillen was nice enough to send it and low and behold the diagram they sent me was for a 5.5 Gen. I then sent them the correct diagram like in Post #18 and mentioned the Heats-ink on the 05 and above. Since I don't have a heat-sink my only conclusion based on the pictures and diagrams is that it is NOT the heat sink model depicted but a normal closed loop radiator cooled tranny cooler that air flows around the veins to dissipate heat (like you stated, similar to a computer).
Again the adding of the word Heat-sink is not true for both types and as you can see by this thread, people are getting confused and think their are more than 2 types which their are not (Year 2004-2006). I have not seen what a CVT looks like so not counting years 2007-2008.
And I'm not sure why installing a cooler would affect even a model with a Heat-sink because the point is to make the tranny run cooler thus keeping your heat-sink opened or closed (based on design). Someone with a heat-sink should chime in for feedback on this question...
03-23-2010, 03:35 PM
#37
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Posts: 221
75 shot w/o warmer kit n it my street car so I spray on the street but I haven't spraying it for almost 2 month I got this kit put in summer n I haven't drove the car for 2 month in past cause I went out of country. After I came back we spary 30-50 shot maybe 5 time n after we went to 75 shot 5 time. Later I haven't been sparying lately cause I'm worry about tranny shifting rough after u spray nos. I don't think I have stock tranny cooler kit.
03-23-2010, 04:00 PM
#38
Yeah and I made a phone call to Stillen last year asking them for a diagram because I almost bought the Stillen cooler. Stillen was nice enough to send it and low and behold the diagram they sent me was for a 5.5 Gen. I then sent them the correct diagram like in Post #18 and mentioned the Heats-ink on the 05 and above. Since I don't have a heat-sink my only conclusion based on the pictures and diagrams is that it is NOT the heat sink model depicted but a normal closed loop radiator cooled tranny cooler that air flows around the veins to dissipate heat (like you stated, similar to a computer).
Again the adding of the word Heat-sink is not true for both types and as you can see by this thread, people are getting confused and think their are more than 2 types which their are not (Year 2004-2006). I have not seen what a CVT looks like so not counting years 2007-2008.
And I'm not sure why installing a cooler would affect even a model with a Heat-sink because the point is to make the tranny run cooler thus keeping your heat-sink opened or closed (based on design). Someone with a heat-sink should chime in for feedback on this question...
Again the adding of the word Heat-sink is not true for both types and as you can see by this thread, people are getting confused and think their are more than 2 types which their are not (Year 2004-2006). I have not seen what a CVT looks like so not counting years 2007-2008.
And I'm not sure why installing a cooler would affect even a model with a Heat-sink because the point is to make the tranny run cooler thus keeping your heat-sink opened or closed (based on design). Someone with a heat-sink should chime in for feedback on this question...
1. traditional cooler used by the 4AT (ATF into a tank inside radiator)
2. heatsink type cooler used by the 5AT (coolant into coils inside tranny fluid)
In conclusion, I believe both versions can have an aux cooler. Either you cool the ATF directly or you cool the water going into the coils.
03-23-2010, 06:18 PM
#39
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I myself am confused. Because oolatec mentioned that he was sure that his transmission had a heatsink (no lines running in/out). I haven't been able to find a diagram or any information about the one he mentioned. I knew about the two types.
1. traditional cooler used by the 4AT (ATF into a tank inside radiator)
2. heatsink type cooler used by the 5AT (coolant into coils inside tranny fluid)
In conclusion, I believe both versions can have an aux cooler. Either you cool the ATF directly or you cool the water going into the coils.
1. traditional cooler used by the 4AT (ATF into a tank inside radiator)
2. heatsink type cooler used by the 5AT (coolant into coils inside tranny fluid)
In conclusion, I believe both versions can have an aux cooler. Either you cool the ATF directly or you cool the water going into the coils.
I also found this out when I had my tranny rebuilt, found a nice deal on a low mileage 05 tranny and was told based on my VIN# my 04 and the 05 were not interchangeable even though both were 5spd AT for the SE, so I did a master rebuild on my 04 instead.
Last edited by chernmax; 03-23-2010 at 06:20 PM.
03-23-2010, 06:58 PM
#40
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I have a 2004 SL 5at and was about to install a B&M external cooler, as in post # 18.
But as stated in the above posts, it is coolant that passes through the stock ATF cooler.
The path of the coolant that passes through the ATF cooler, is going to be re-directed and thus extended.
Not only is the cooling system capacity increased, but by increasing the path, I believe the water pump has to work harder to pump the coolant further.
It is an excellent idea, but I just cannot risk my water pump blowing or my heater core.
I have 125K on my stock 04 max and am not mechanically inclined to change out the water pump.
Should anything go wrong I know the dealer will want to do the chains and tensioners TSB.
I would not hesitate If I had the traditional set up of ATF flowing through a tank at the bottom of the radiator, but I don’t.
If you guys have any success stories of this setup working on a stock Maxima, please share your thoughts.
Sorry to sound negative but this is just my personal opinion.
But as stated in the above posts, it is coolant that passes through the stock ATF cooler.
The path of the coolant that passes through the ATF cooler, is going to be re-directed and thus extended.
Not only is the cooling system capacity increased, but by increasing the path, I believe the water pump has to work harder to pump the coolant further.
It is an excellent idea, but I just cannot risk my water pump blowing or my heater core.
I have 125K on my stock 04 max and am not mechanically inclined to change out the water pump.
Should anything go wrong I know the dealer will want to do the chains and tensioners TSB.
I would not hesitate If I had the traditional set up of ATF flowing through a tank at the bottom of the radiator, but I don’t.
If you guys have any success stories of this setup working on a stock Maxima, please share your thoughts.
Sorry to sound negative but this is just my personal opinion.
Last edited by MikAus; 03-23-2010 at 07:07 PM.