transmission cooler vs atx radiator

[n2nsanity]

is it better to have a separate transmission cooler?
or is it better to just use the stock radiator?
i'd like to replace mine, but can't find any aftermarket atx radiators
and some slim fans

i would like to have a separate cooler for everything
1 for trans
1 for oil
1 for ps (replace the tube with a finned cooler)
then of course still have the radiator and ac condensor

or is this not worth messing with?

[a2j]

I know nothing about atx stuff, but. I'm replacing stock oil cooler with a much bigger one, will try to use stock oil cooler to cool power steering fluid.

again, heat kills.

[stealthee]

Slapping a seperate trans cooler on is going to help. The stock cooler setup isn't ideal. I am going to be putting one on my GP just for extra insurance.

Also, unless you plan on some serious road course racing I wouldn't bother with replacing the stock PS cooler setup. The majority of cars don't even have a power steering cooler.

[n2nsanity]

thats what i thought about the ps cooler. i just dont like it. i want to replace it. but at the same time don't want to have a bumper filled full of all kinds of coolers.

is this a good idea tho? replace the stock atx radiator with an obx mtx radiator, then have a separate transmission cooler?

[stealthee]

Yeah. There are a lot of vehicles that have seperate trans coolers from the factory. It will keep your trans fluid temps lower as well.

[IPD]

my $.02.

3sx single-pass 2" radiator > everything else. get an aftermarket trans cooler & inline filter; mount location depends on your intercooler. (fmic = smtc/smoc. smic = fmtc/fmoc). even a relatively small trans cooler will help significantly. i think my current one is something like 10"x4"x.75". i'm looking to replace that with a MASSIVE 2" thick trans cooler; which is substantially more than anyone but the most hardcore racers should ever need.

i've never heard of anyone running a ps cooler on a 3/s. not pete, not supercar, not erron, not highboosted (although it's possible i missed a thread about it somewhere). if this were an achilles heel, there would already be kits for it.

[stealthee]

Exactly. Some people actually eliminate their PS cooler. If mine in the Stealth ever developed a hole, I'd delete it.

Thadd if you get the massive trans cooler anytime soon let me know and I might buy your current cooler off you if the price is right.

[IPD]

just depends on how soon i hear back from c3. 100% certain i'll be the first (and probably only) 3/s owner running a 10x10x2 trans cooler with a fan. :D

[n2nsanity]

i just think the ps loop cooling is ugly, lol. replacing that'd be more for cosmetic purposes
my only real concerns was for the trans

but looks like separate trans cooler wins :)

if anyone has a specific one that's highly recommended, feel free to shoot me a link
should i steer clear of anything on ebay or amazon under $40
what about the ones in the autostores?

thanks guys

[IPD]

there's no "fixed size" you have to stick to. even chinabay stuff will likely work. the key is making sure it's mounted properly and doesn't leak. that means it goes IN FRONT OF the radiator, etc.

[a2j]

I heard from somebody that does road courses, that ps cooling loop gets really hot after some road coursing. that is why I will upgrade.
I wanna do some road coursing/auto crossing. :) when it runs again.

[IPD]

I heard from somebody that does road courses, that ps cooling loop gets really hot after some road coursing. that is why I will upgrade.
I wanna do some road coursing/auto crossing. :) when it runs again.

i would say a ps delete would benefit you more.

[a2j]

I can understand deleting abs, a/c, etc.. (and I did), but ps? I like having ps.

[IPD]

ps delete on a track car makes sense. on a dd it doesn't. if you're flogging your car enough to justify (in your mind) a ps cooler--chances are you are probably hardcore enough to benefit better from a manual steering rack.

[a2j]

its a dd. ps cooler = better safe than sorry. parts will live longer. it won't cost me much to upgrade.

[stealthee]

My car has 195k showing on it, over 200k more likely because of failed spees sensor, and the PS system still works flawlessly.