Question about our automatic transmissions.

[1 old racer]

Does anyone know why the transmission lines enter and exit the trans cooler from the bottom? I would just like to know why not from the top or even from the side. It actually seams that the way it is routed it could cause more issues then it it were routed from the top. Someone please explain

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[G.T.]

From what I read adding aftermarket coolers of various types, its to make sure the cooler is filled and to avoid air pockets.

 

[1 old racer]

I do understand that. But our trans cooler lines feed from the bottom.

 

[G.T.]

Sorry yes you are right, I misremembered the optimal orientation.

I do also remember reading that whatever the orientation, if pressure is high enough there wont be a problem.

Since this is the OEM orientation, I'm not worried. Unless this thread digs up something lol!

 

[bKennedy]

I don't know the real reason but it seems to me that since cold water sinks putting the transmission fluid at the bottom of the radiator means it will cool the fluid better.

 

[EFI]

putting the transmission fluid at the bottom of the radiator means it will cool the fluid better.

He's talking about the fact that the in/out ports of the cooler are at the bottom. It has nothing to do with the radiator as it's a separate unit, and also it's up high near the top of the radiator.

OP my guess is for packaging with the routing of the lines. It has nothing to do with any perceived performance. What sort of issues are you expecting to see out of this setup compared to top mounted ports?

 

[1 old racer]

I am running a oem trans cooler and mounted a 2nd cooler upside down with a line going in the oem and the out the oem to the upside down cooler then out the upside down cooler back to the trans. I have bwen running this set up for about 5 years with a lot of track day. So thw only reason I want to know this is to understand why ford made it more difficult then they had to. I figured they had to have a reason.

 

[G.T.]

I think EFI said it best. Probably more to do with packaging. I've seen these kinds of coolers in different cars in all sorts of orientations so I dont think they are sensitive in that regard.

OP so you are running an air to air trans fluid cooler after the oem trans fluid/coolant heat exchanger? What brand/size cooler and how much did it lower your temps?

 

[1 old racer]

I am currently running a oem down at the bottom of the radiator bulkhead right above the belly pan in front of the A/c cond. In bumper to bumper daily driving it only lowered the temp about 5 degrees. But on the track with lots of fresh air it will keep the trans temp down around 195 to 200 max. With just the one cooler it would creep up to 220 on a warm (75-85 deg) day.

 

[G.T.]

Thanks for the info!

I've been watching my own trans temps (6R80) lately and noticed getting to about 205F in stop and go traffic at noon.

Will keep in mind in case I decide to track it.

 

[1 old racer]

Now that is am not tracking my car very much I am considering installing a switched fan on the extra lower trans cooler

 

[G.T.]

Just noticed you have a PP1 so manual? Not too familiar with manuals on the S550, do these overheat or benefit from the additional cooling in the conditions you describe?

EDIT: sorry, our automatics, we are talking about an auto here my bad

 

[1 old racer]

I have never overheated mine but I came close several times on the track so I added extra cooling.

 

[G.T.]

2018, so 10-speed?

What is considered normal temp range on your car?

 

[1 old racer]

180 -220 for me

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