Aftermarket Coolers

[Leonard]

I couldn't have said it better!

That said I decided to fix it. I ordered the OEM cooler, brackets, ducting making it a bolt on. The cooler has spring loaded push lock fittings so also ordered the lines the connect to the cooler.
20" section of nylon braided -8 hose some fittings and a medium RB gear pump. It took a day to install. The parts cost about a grand.

The cooler/brackets/ducting/lines aren't super expensive. I think Ford could probably do better pricing offering them all together as a package rather than individual pieces as service parts. (As an example -- many years ago, 95 Cobra R wheels were around $400 as a dealer part but $160 through Ford Racing.)



The part I'd really like to see is for Ford to come up with some sort of way to help out on the cost of the gerotor pump. The cost for a tech transmission is around $3800. A pump equipped transmission is just over $4100. It's a smidge over $300 difference in cost for the additional machining on the transmission for the inlet/outlet and the gerotor pump. I'd think they could put together some sort of an exchange program that provides a transmission that has had the additional machining performed and the gerotor installed in exchange for a tech pack trans as a core (which would then be built into a track pack trans).

What I would love to see is for Ford to provide some sort of a package where they provide the coolers/brackets/ducting/lines and a trans swap (tech pack trans as core in exchange for a trans that has been upgraded to track pack specs) and do the install while maintaining the factory warranty I'd jump on it in a minute so long as it was reasonable. (Figure the cooler/lines/brackets/ducting is around $1k. Figure 10 hours of labor at no more than $75/hr and somewhere in the $500-750 range for the rebuilt trans swap for a total of $2500 max. (If they can't get the trans swap that low I'd consider buying the trans outright and keeping the tech pack trans as a spare as most of the internals would be interchangeable.)

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[Minn19]

I understand they need to go through more extensive testing. What they should do is a blog about the development with monthly updates, pictures and videos. Sometimes transparency goes a long way in calming everyone down.

I agree and know it takes time for the whole process to come together. But, from the best info I've seen here and from my dealer. It is going to be mostly likely over a year since the problem was identified to getting something to the consumer. The parts and know how is there. The rest is decisions, packaging, pricing and marketing.

 

[GT_Dave]

I understand they need to go through more extensive testing. What they should do is a blog about the development with monthly updates, pictures and videos. Sometimes transparency goes a long way in calming everyone down.

It’s not extensive testing that is holding this up, it is the impact to their business and the responsibility to support the change that needs to be considered. It would take their engineers about 1 week to identify the components to solve the problem, they already have all the data from the initial design specification. Here is what Ford needs to consider:

1. There are about 3800 Base and Tech versions that were produced without transmission coolers. And I am estimating that no more than ¼ of those owners would be willing to add a trans cooler system to their car for track use, that’s less than 1000 customers, not a very significant group to accommodate compared to even the balance of the Mustang sales, let alone all their business.
2. The additional warranty liability for add-on equipment. Whether the dealers install a cooler system or offer a kit to the public, I don’t see how they can control the quality of the work to have that completed and support it with a warranty. That would be difficult to control.
3. The offer for a fix will never be free, why give away equipment and service when the Track Pack and R owners had to pay for the option.

 

[TxOilMoney]

People keep saying this, but for what? Ford specifically states if you are going to track the car get the track pack. Or get aftermarket coolers if you are going to track. Which, while I agree lame, they do seem to be covered for any sort of lawsuit in this regard.

I have tech pack car and would like a solution in the future as well. But, I knew full well what I was buying and I don't see where Ford has any legal culpability here.

The only way I can see a lawsuit working or Ford getting involved is if cars keep hitting limp mode during normal driving.

Excerpt from page 3 in the Track Tips pamphlet in all GT350's owners manuals: "The standard GT350 and the GT350 Technology Package certainly can be used on race tracks......"

 

[Minn19]

Excerpt from page 3 in the Track Tips pamphlet in all GT350's owners manuals: "The standard GT350 and the GT350 Technology Package certainly can be used on race tracks......"

Well they're right...........just didn't say for how long. ;)

 

[Tank]

At this point I've seen nothing to indicate that the dealer service network will need to be tapped for proper installation.

What have you seen that indicates the dealer service network won't be needed or that any of this is going to be a reality?

 

[Leonard]

3. The offer for a fix will never be free, why give away equipment and service when the Track Pack and R owners had to pay for the option.

That depends.... IF the reports of people seeing limp mode during normal street driving (without breaking laws) and are reproducible continue to be reported they may have to do a no cost fix for all base/tech cars. It is possible that Ford hasn't said anything officially because they're waiting to see what happens through July and August in southern states. (That is pure speculation on my part and mostly wishful thinking but tis possible).

 

[Minn19]

That depends.... IF the reports of people seeing limp mode during normal street driving (without breaking laws) and are reproducible continue to be reported they may have to do a no cost fix for all base/tech cars. It is possible that Ford hasn't said anything officially because they're waiting to see what happens through July and August in southern states. (That is pure speculation on my part and mostly wishful thinking but tis possible).

^This is the quickest way to a solution IMO. If there starts being a bunch of NHTSA reports about safety concerns.

But, that brings up another part. I don't think you are going to see a lot of them because there is not a lot tech pack cars with the issue in normal driving. And if there is, it is even more rare for people to report it to the NHTSA.

Realistically, very few people track their cars. Most of these cars are going to be garage or show queens driven by older nostalgic people. Us forum members represent a very small percentage of owners. So I wonder how many really would get the coolers. 50-100? Has anybody done a poll on this in the past?

 

[firestarter2]

I hope ford steps up. I think the likely hood of a free fix is almost zero..

A paid fix is slightly more likely. But id not hold you breath for it.

I think more likely is ford bumps up the temps for limp mode slightly

 

[Cruzinaround]

Just in case .....putting this back in the mix so everyone knows this is a packaged solution complete with everything needed to solve the problem. It is a Porshe packaged solution for addressing cooling concerns for both Transmissions and Differentials. And it looks pretty easy to DIY. It also provides a magnetized filter to extract metal bits from the oil before the cooler.

http://www.patrickmotorsports.com/p...transmission-oil-cooler-system-trans-gearbox/

 

[T101]

Shame on me for thinking there would be anything in this thread worth reading.

 

[JN66]

Shame on me for thinking there would be anything in this thread worth reading.

Lots of bickering...no solutions haha.

 

[montreal ponies]

Shame on me for thinking there would be anything in this thread worth reading.

Unfortunately, this has been our bread and butter since the beginning. Very sad.

 

[Tank]

Lots of bickering...no solutions haha.

More like lots of bickering for a solution...:cheers:

 

[superman07]

Right now if I was Ford Performance I'd be looking at number three on this Google search with a sick stomach.

Indeed, quite telling also when their own dealers openly mock the trim level.

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