Tranny coolers

**withac** · 02-10-2008 01:16 PM

I've been told I need to upgrade the cooler on my 4L60e is prone to early failure and I need to put a cooler on it. I've been told at least 24K and 40K. That's a big range in capacity and price. I'm having a hard time deciding where I need to be in that range. Does anybody know how big the stock cooler is? Maybe if I knew where I'm starting it would be easier to decide where I need to end.

Thanks.

**Sleaper** · 02-10-2008 01:52 PM

Not sure what the stock tranny cooler is but I've got a 28k layin aroung that I would let go for cheap. I would imagine that the stockers are anywhere from 10k-15k at the most. The part number for them is 12497071. Couldn't find a rating on them though.

What mods are you going to be doing?

**withac** · 02-10-2008 03:05 PM

Originally Posted by ramair2002

Not sure what the stock tranny cooler is but I've got a 28k layin aroung that I would let go for cheap. I would imagine that the stockers are anywhere from 10k-15k at the most. The part number for them is 12497071. Couldn't find a rating on them though.

What mods are you going to be doing?

I just picked up this 2000 Tahoe with the 5.3. As far as performance mods all I had in mind was a K&N FIPK II and possibly a different muffler although the muffler is last on the list after I take care of the tranny. It sounds like these slush boxes are prone to failure so I was looking to help it wear better. It's got 90K miles on it so I thought I'd have it serviced and have the mods put in at the same time. A shift kit is on the list and I guess that's a performance mod but my goal is to increase tranny wear. The cooler is to increase wear as well. I'd likely put in a new servo where they're cheap. It's also been suggested that I put in a new accumulator piston and separator plate, they're both pretty inexpensive. I live in Eastern Idaho, I wonder what shipping from Texas would be?

**withac** · 02-15-2008 01:23 PM

I just stopped at the dealer where I bought the 'Ho. One salesman was going to check the engine codes to see if it has a stock transmission cooler but then another salesman came along and said if it has a hitch, it has a cooler, said the tow package includes a cooler but he couldn't tell me the size. He said it is built right into the stock radiator. I wonder how difficult that will make it to add an after market one? Would you bypass the stock one or try to run them together?

**Sleaper** · 02-15-2008 06:28 PM

The salesman is right if it's got the tow package, it will come with a tranny cooler. Your better off running them in line. You can tap off of the line coming out of the radiator and install your aftermarket cooler. The cooler in the radiator will work more efficiently(liquid cooled as opposed to air cooled). Then your aftermarket(larger) cooler will do the rest. Get a trans temp gauge to monitor. Ideal temps would be around 175.

Shipping shouldn't be bad. No more than $10 I would think through UPS ground. Let me know.

**withac** · 02-15-2008 07:10 PM

Originally Posted by ramair2002

The salesman is right if it's got the tow package, it will come with a tranny cooler. Your better off running them in line. You can tap off of the line coming out of the radiator and install your aftermarket cooler. The cooler in the radiator will work more efficiently(liquid cooled as opposed to air cooled). Then your aftermarket(larger) cooler will do the rest. Get a trans temp gauge to monitor. Ideal temps would be around 175.

Shipping shouldn't be bad. No more than $10 I would think through UPS ground. Let me know.

So what kind of shape is this cooler in, does it have the mounting and plumbing hardware, and what do you think it's worth?

Thanks for the time.

**withac** · 06-03-2008 08:11 PM

I finally had a chance to mount that tranny cooler I picked up from you Jay. The stock aux. cooler was mounted with rigid plumbing, that would have made it difficult to come off the stock aux., go out to the new aux. cooler, then back into the stock cooler so my plan was to remove the stock aux. cooler and install the one I bought from you. This is all a moot discussion because the fittings on the stock aux. cooler were on so tight I cracked the cooler trying to take it out. So anyway, here are a couple of picks of it installed. It's significantly larger than the stock aux. cooler. I'm sure it will help a lot, thanks again. It might look like a Mickey Mouse plumbing job but it works and it fits.