Want to add a transmission cooler

[Spades]

Im wanting to add a transmission oil cooler to my 03 EB 5.4L. Any preferred brands or setups? Is it better to add to the existing cooler? And if so, do you add it inline or T off the existing lines? Or simply replace the existing with a bigger better one?

 

[DUNE RCR]

I've always run mine in series, i.e. Running the return line from the oe cooler into the supply side of the aftermarket cooler, then from the return of the aftermarket one goes back to the trans. Never hang the coolers by zip ties or any of them other cheap e-z setups that poke through the radiator fins. I always try and build a bracket if they don't come with one. Also, a no brainer, go for the biggest cooler you can fit in front of the condenser. I'm sure if you do some searching for "cooler" or something similar you may be able to find a write-up on how someone did their setup. You could also check f150forum as well.

 

[Lostneye]

What Dune said. That's how I've done them in the past on other vehicles. And I've normally used the stacked plate type coolers they are supposed to be more efficient.

 

[DUNE RCR]

What Dune said. That's how I've done them in the past on other vehicles. And I've normally used the stacked plate type coolers they are supposed to be more efficient.

I couldn't remember the design name. Stacked plate are very efficient but they tend to get pricey the larger they get.

 

[montecarlo31]

I still run the stock one on my expedition but on my silverado I went with a Permacool because the 4L60E was known for failures. With a LQ9 pushing well over 450 crank HP and running 285s with 4.10 gears I can't get my trans temp above 180 even on the hottest days (100 plus ambient and pull 8,500 lbs @ 80 mph). I did not run it in line with the factory cooler as I wanted to free up radiator realestate for added engine cooling. Mine is mounted under the passenger side bed mounted on the frame. below is a link for the unit I am running. It takes a bit longer to install due to the wiring but it's worth every penny, even when I am stopped in traffic I am still pulling heat out with a fury where a plate cooler stacked inline with the radiator would lose a good bit of efficiency due to a lack of airflow.

Maxi-Cool HD Cooler Coil & Electric Fan Assembly

 

[Spades]

Very cool, im going to go for it. While im at it i think i will add an oil temp gauge as well...The maxi cool cooler with fan is a bit of overkill for me

 

[Skauber]

If you connect a OBD2 scantool via bluetooth to your phone, you can read oil temp on both the engine and the transmission directly from the PCM, but otherwise it is practical to have a temp gauge always on..

 

[montecarlo31]

If you connect a OBD2 scantool via bluetooth to your phone, you can read oil temp on both the engine and the transmission directly from the PCM, but otherwise it is practical to have a temp gauge always on..

X2. or go with something like an aeroforce gauge, ultragauge, etc. They use the OBD2 port and will let you watch a few critical items.

 

[Spades]

Gauges through the OBD is a cool idea, but i want a dedicated gauge for a permanent install and on all the time.

So this weekend i got under the car to see what im up against, and i see that the oil flows through the coolant radiator and then through its own cooler as well... So do I cut the short hard line between the radiator and the cooler or is there a cleaner install method? And what type of fittings are these, id like to make new lines with these fittings to avoid cutting the OEM hard line between the radiator and cooler?