Question showing my complete ignorance!
 

I'm ready to be mocked!:loser:

Is there a difference between an oil cooler and a transmission cooler? Sure one cools oil, the other tranny fluid but is there anything that makes one structuraly different? Are they interchangeable or is there some reason one can't be used for the other?

Looking to add an oil cooler but I don't want another huge 10" x 21" heat exchanger added to my big rad, big IC and AC unit already blocking the mouth. It'd be a lot easier finding a home for a 6x14 unit which is common and cheap but labeled "transmission cooler".

Good question, I wouldn't *think* there'd be a difference...

I have seen some tranny coolers that have smaller more restrictive tubing.

And potentially a lower pressure rating.

Quick look through Summit and I see tube sizes 3/8" and 1/2" in oil coolers and 11/32 and 3/8 in tranny coolers. I also see both 6an and 8an being used with up to 16an used on huge heavy duty units.


Pressure ratings may be the answer! I'll see if there is any info on that.

ATF is thinner (less viscous?) than engine oil, so there might be a difference in the internal fin/turbulance structure.

Don't Automatics run high pressure? That's where those things used most of the time.

I know Setrab makes all sizes of oil coolers. Maybe not as cheap as the tranny cooler though. :)

Trans cooler lines are low pressure, high pressures are inside the trans.

Also trans and diff coolers will need some form of pump for best efficiency...

- L

Cool, I didn't realize that the pressure was different.

That is not correct. Transmission cooler lines typically run the same pressures they run the clutches and bands.

At WOT transmission pressures can reach as high as 300PSI.

I guess pressure ratings wouldn't be the difference then?!? 300psi? Holy crap.

I guess thats why most trans cooler lines are made from hose that has no steel reinforcement.

Most cooler circuits are the dump from the pressure relief valve.

dude you can throw it in the rain shelf just tee off your oil feed line to the turbo and run through the firewall. It will have to be about 1.5 inches or thinner to be workable without interfering with the wipers. I plan to do something similiar when i get to where i can spend money on my car agian.

I don't know where you get your cooler hoses, but they are always of the high pressure type.

Please read the section on transmission cooler hoses from the link below. Also the blurb on the bottom of the page...I have seen fuel line installed on transmission cooler circuits at least three different times on cars...and the results have been broken apart hoses.

Automotive service: inspection ... - Google Book Search