Following Towncivillian’s (Jeff’s) lead, I thought I'd document how I installed my tranny oil cooler so that it can help anyone if they want to have one on their R50 Pathy too.
Here's the goods:
Hayden Rapid-Cool Part Number #678 Made in Australia
Install kit came with 4’ x 11/32” ID Hose and 4 hose clamps and other misc zip ties (through radiator type) and fittings.
Had to purchase additional hose clamps and additional 4’ of 3/8” hose
- Bought from Autozone. ArmorMark 3/8” ID
Also had on hand some M6x1.0 nuts and bolts and purchased some flat stock to make the brackets.
Dry-fit install to measure for brackets. Made brackets from 1/8” Thick x ¾” wide flat bar stock. 4”-4-1/2” Lengths with 17/14 holes drilled for M6 bolts.
Primed and painted with Krylon automotive paint.
Cut out some rubber isolators so the bracket does not rub through the cooler mount.
Purchased tranny cooler hose from Autozone (Left) is larger ID 3/8" vs supplied hose (right) 11/32" and is also thinner walled. Should work in any case.
Installed by tapping threads on lower radiator support and center radiator support with M6 x 1.0mm tap or M6 x 1mm bolts.
Brackets mounted onto cooler with isolators
Installed bracket onto tranny cooler with rubber isolators and double nut to prevent loosening.
Mounted the tranny cooler and installed hoses. Used the 11/32" hose for supply, from radiator to cooler, and 3/8” return line from cooler back to tranny pipe.
Two lower bolts. Yes one is not tightened yet
Upper bolt/bracket to the center radiator support.
Top view down
Plumbing attached to horn bracket in front of battery box
Bottom view upwards
Cut a short length of excess hose to go around one of the radiator supports edges to prevent chaffing.
Of course start engine, let it warm up for the test run and button everything up and the lower splash guard too!
------------------------------------------
Installation Notes and Afterthoughts:
It took a while longer than initially expected as I had to do a dry fit and measure for the brackets, prime and paint the brackets. During the install, I also had to fit and bend the brackets some as I had previous collision damage to the lower radiator support and it's not all perfectly aligned. Install time after making the brackets is about 1-1/2 hours. Another 1 hr went to dry fitting and making the brackets. I know I could have gone faster but took my time and made sure all was well.
It would have been great to be able to plumb the hoses between the radiator and the lower radiator support but there was not enough room. The only route is to go up toward the upper radiator support or to go below the front crossmember and clearance holes need to be cut in the splash guard. And the hoses will be hanging below the crossmember. I personally prefer going over and not have anything below the crossmember.
The additional 4' long 3/8" hose I bought for the return line was barely long enough. Another 6" would be better. Also the return pipe to the transmission is 5/16. The 3/8" hose was fairly loose and I had to put on 2 hose clamps to prevent leaking.
I know some people use the Mangnafine filter but I decided not to install it this time to see how this cooler works first.
Let's hope this will keep the tranny temps down as I head south.
Here's the goods:
Hayden Rapid-Cool Part Number #678 Made in Australia
Install kit came with 4’ x 11/32” ID Hose and 4 hose clamps and other misc zip ties (through radiator type) and fittings.
Had to purchase additional hose clamps and additional 4’ of 3/8” hose
- Bought from Autozone. ArmorMark 3/8” ID
Also had on hand some M6x1.0 nuts and bolts and purchased some flat stock to make the brackets.
Dry-fit install to measure for brackets. Made brackets from 1/8” Thick x ¾” wide flat bar stock. 4”-4-1/2” Lengths with 17/14 holes drilled for M6 bolts.
Primed and painted with Krylon automotive paint.
Cut out some rubber isolators so the bracket does not rub through the cooler mount.
Purchased tranny cooler hose from Autozone (Left) is larger ID 3/8" vs supplied hose (right) 11/32" and is also thinner walled. Should work in any case.
Installed by tapping threads on lower radiator support and center radiator support with M6 x 1.0mm tap or M6 x 1mm bolts.
Brackets mounted onto cooler with isolators
Installed bracket onto tranny cooler with rubber isolators and double nut to prevent loosening.
Mounted the tranny cooler and installed hoses. Used the 11/32" hose for supply, from radiator to cooler, and 3/8” return line from cooler back to tranny pipe.
Two lower bolts. Yes one is not tightened yet
Upper bolt/bracket to the center radiator support.
Top view down
Plumbing attached to horn bracket in front of battery box
Bottom view upwards
Cut a short length of excess hose to go around one of the radiator supports edges to prevent chaffing.
Of course start engine, let it warm up for the test run and button everything up and the lower splash guard too!
------------------------------------------
Installation Notes and Afterthoughts:
It took a while longer than initially expected as I had to do a dry fit and measure for the brackets, prime and paint the brackets. During the install, I also had to fit and bend the brackets some as I had previous collision damage to the lower radiator support and it's not all perfectly aligned. Install time after making the brackets is about 1-1/2 hours. Another 1 hr went to dry fitting and making the brackets. I know I could have gone faster but took my time and made sure all was well.
It would have been great to be able to plumb the hoses between the radiator and the lower radiator support but there was not enough room. The only route is to go up toward the upper radiator support or to go below the front crossmember and clearance holes need to be cut in the splash guard. And the hoses will be hanging below the crossmember. I personally prefer going over and not have anything below the crossmember.
The additional 4' long 3/8" hose I bought for the return line was barely long enough. Another 6" would be better. Also the return pipe to the transmission is 5/16. The 3/8" hose was fairly loose and I had to put on 2 hose clamps to prevent leaking.
I know some people use the Mangnafine filter but I decided not to install it this time to see how this cooler works first.
Let's hope this will keep the tranny temps down as I head south.
