Are trans coolers necessary?

[Jarpin]

OEMs have been putting plate and fin coolers on their cars with towing packages for quite some time. I wouldn't worry about them.

Not really worried about plate and fin setups per se. They're perfectly fine in the right application. You're absolutely right that OEM's come with them but it's probably because the vehicles are brand new with fresh fluid and clean pans, so plate and fin is best in that setup. As I already stated, I'm not towing anything. Again, I just wanted slightly better cooling of my trans fluid in my 23 year old transmission. I think I'm doing better than stock without a cooler at all.

 

[burbguy82]

Not really worried about plate and fin setups per se. They're perfectly fine in the right application. You're absolutely right that OEM's come with them but it's probably because the vehicles are brand new with fresh fluid and clean pans, so plate and fin is best in that setup. As I already stated, I'm not towing anything. Again, I just wanted slightly better cooling of my trans fluid in my 23 year old transmission. I think I'm doing better than stock without a cooler at all.

Over the years, there have been many comparisons between cooler types. The stacked plate cooler cools the best. If your objective is cooling, the stacked plate type is the way to go.

Best bang for the buck.. Work to install one or the other is the same, so why not go with one that will have the most effect.

If you are worried about the cooler clogging up, if the cooler clogs, you already have much greater issues than the cooler.

 

[D60]

My 2020 Tundra did not come with a transmission cooler even though every previous year did - they removed it as an option. I routinely pull transmission temps of +225F simply driving at 75mph on flat highway. With the transmission cooler this would be more like 200F. This is with no load in the truck other than me and one or two passengers. My truck is rated for approximately 10,000 pounds. I'm not sure I'd do any significant towing with my truck. With no significant towing, I'm doing 50k mile transmission fluid changes. Find a way to monitor the transmission temp and decide from there.

Really?? I didn't know this. I thought they just deleted the thermostat you have to prop open when checking level

 

[PWMDMD]

Really?? I didn't know this. I thought they just deleted the thermostat you have to prop open when checking level

They replaced the small radiator with a small "puck" with engine coolant on one side and transmission fluid on the other. Unfortunately, it acts better as a transmission fluid warmer than it does as a transmission fluid cooler. The surface area between the coolant and transmission fluid is minimal and the coolant is around 200 F anyway so there is only a slight temperature differential.

 

[Jarpin]

Over the years, there have been many comparisons between cooler types. The stacked plate cooler cools the best. If your objective is cooling, the stacked plate type is the way to go.

Best bang for the buck.. Work to install one or the other is the same, so why not go with one that will have the most effect.

If you are worried about the cooler clogging up, if the cooler clogs, you already have much greater issues than the cooler.

Once again, I appreciate everyone's input here, but this cooler has been in place and functional for greater than 5 years. I simply do not want to disassemble everything for the small benefit I will get from a stacked plate setup. What I have works fine for me, why is it a problem for everyone else?

 

[burbguy82]

Once again, I appreciate everyone's input here, but this cooler has been in place and functional for greater than 5 years. I simply do not want to disassemble everything for the small benefit I will get from a stacked plate setup. What I have works fine for me, why is it a problem for everyone else?

This thread is for other people to view, not your personal thread. Most think and rightfully so, that stacked plate coolers are more effective and therefore more worth the investment.

It is not a problem for anyone else that you chose what you chose. Glad it is working well for you.

 

[Astro14]

Once again, I appreciate everyone's input here, but this cooler has been in place and functional for greater than 5 years. I simply do not want to disassemble everything for the small benefit I will get from a stacked plate setup. What I have works fine for me, why is it a problem for everyone else?

Are you the original poster?

If not, then this thread is not only about you.

It’s about the OP, and the topic. You added your case to the discussion, so, your set-up is ancillary, not primary.

If you would like the responses to be focused on your particular case, then start your own thread.

Otherwise, this thread is discussing a general topic, as well as answering the original post.

 

[daniel327]

I have three ATF coolers cooling my U760E. First, the ATF passes through the OEM ATF to engine coolant cooler. Next it goes through a 30 plate (11 inch wide) plate and fin cooler. Finally it goes through an 8 pass (20 inch wide) tube and fin cooler. IMO, more cooling is better. In fact, if I had more room I'd fit another cooler.