What's the latest....?

[macinehead]

I almost hate to bring this up again but I've been away from the forum for awhile and lost track of the "Limp Mode" status of the tech and base cars. For awhile you couldn't logon without seeing some "heated debate" on the topic.

Anyway, I was wondering if there have been any trans/diff cooling solutions designed and / or tested for the Tech and base cars, from Ford or aftermarket? If the info is in another thread I apologize. Maybe someone could point me to it.

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[Hack]

I just talked to a Ford SVT guy yesterday and he said not to expect a solution from Ford until "late summer". He also said something about the Magnuson-Moss act - encouraging me to buy an aftermarket solution. I wouldn't blame anyone for doing that, but I won't. I still haven't cancelled my track day in June. I might just go, take it easy and see what happens.

 

[macinehead]

I just talked to a Ford SVT guy yesterday and he said not to expect a solution from Ford until "late summer". He also said something about the Magnuson-Moss act - encouraging me to buy an aftermarket solution. I wouldn't blame anyone for doing that, but I won't. I still haven't cancelled my track day in June. I might just go, take it easy and see what happens.

I know Magnuson-Moss relates to warranties. He didn't happen to mention the term "implied warranty" did he?

 

[Hack]

I know Magnuson-Moss relates to warranties. He didn't happen to mention the term "implied warranty" did he?

I'm not the greatest at quoting someone's spoken word. I started the inquiry with an email to Ford. They sent a reply very quickly that I should contact SVT, but they didn't give me an email address for SVT and didn't forward my email to SVT. So, I really had no choice but to talk to them verbally. I'm never 100% satisfied with a verbal interaction in a situation like this, but I can understand if Ford doesn't want an electronic record of what their representative said.

The way I understood/remember what he said was he implied that I should just go to a speed shop and have them install a cooler. It will work fine and there will be no warranty concerns. It was in that context that he mentioned Magnuson-Moss. I'm still not comfortable with doing what he suggested and I still want a Ford solution to the problem. No amount of verbal reassurances will convince me otherwise. If I had a guaranty in writing directly from Ford, then that would convince me, but I know that won't happen. I'm really glad that Ford is working on it.

 

[krt22]

I know Magnuson-Moss relates to warranties. He didn't happen to mention the term "implied warranty" did he?

He was basically stating that modifying the car with non-OEM parts would not result in a voided powertrain warranty. The act stands to protect consumers, so if you do modify your car, the burden of proof lies on the OEM to show that the modification directly contributed to some sort of failure.

 

[Hack]

He was basically stating that modifying the car with non-OEM parts would not result in a voided powertrain warranty. The act stands to protect consumers, so if you do modify your car, the burden of proof lies on the OEM to show that the modification directly contributed to some sort of failure.

That was my interpretation of what I remember hearing. I also felt as though he was telling me that there's nothing complicated about putting together a transmission or rear differential cooler and that the addition of aftermarket coolers would be unlikely to cause a failure. He definitely didn't use those words though.

 

[montreal ponies]

I didn't like reading " late summer " . I mean they're not re-inventing the wheel here.

Why so long . They've been aware of the problem since this winter at least.

I know some will say, it's a big cie, RD takes time, gotta be approved by Ford and numerous other departments then put into production etc ....

 

[Tank]

I didn't like reading " late summer " . I mean they're not re-inventing the wheel here.

Why so long . They've been aware of the problem since this winter at least.

I know some will say, it's a big cie, RD takes time, gotta be approved by Ford and numerous other departments then put into production etc ....

I agree w Dan. Also, recommendation was made to add the coolers to base and tech packages on the GT350 Owner's Supplement in July 2015 but no option exists from FP? This should be a poll/sticky (I'm a poll illiterate) so the number of base/tech owners who want an FP resolution can be clearly known.

 

[Essex Wire]

I know nothing of auto mechanics, but I see there are plenty of aftermarket coolers out there (like Mishimoto, etc.). People keep saying "just add coolers." Is it really that easy? Why exactly would it be easy (or difficult) to install one on our transmissions?

Theoretically, adding the cooler should not cause any damage because the car will still have the electronic protection that cuts in if the drivetrain gets too hot.

 

[Coronado]

I know nothing of auto mechanics, but I see there are plenty of aftermarket coolers out there (like Mishimoto, etc.). People keep saying "just add coolers." Is it really that easy? Why exactly would it be easy (or difficult) to install one on our transmissions?

Theoretically, adding the cooler should not cause any damage because the car will still have the electronic protection that cuts in if the drivetrain gets too hot.

I can't speak for the transmission in the GT350, but adding an aftermarket cooler can be as easy as drilling and tapping the case and hosing up a cooler with an external pump assembly.

I'm a diesel tech by trade, so my trannys are considerably different. Most having ports already made into the trans for the addition of the cooler.

After adding a cooler you should never see high temps again.

 

[GT_Dave]

There is quite a bit of work to add cooling to the transmission, I am in the planning stages to upgrade my GT350. Here's the list of items:
1. Mount a radiator up front (not too much work here)
2. Mount an electric oil pump (not a lot of room for this up front)
3. Run cooling lines and connect to the trans, the suggested locations from Ford Performance is using the fill hole and drain hole on the tranmission.
4. Mount a sensor for a temperature gauge either on the transmission or in the cooling circuit
5. Mount and wire the temperature gauge in the cockpit
6. Wire the oil pump, add a switch for the pump in the cockpit

I anticipate I can do this with identical components that Ford would offer, but for about 1/4 of the cost.
The differential will be much easier to add cooling, there is plenty of room for the components at the rear of the car. I'm planning to start there and work forward.

 

[Hack]

I know nothing of auto mechanics, but I see there are plenty of aftermarket coolers out there (like Mishimoto, etc.). People keep saying "just add coolers." Is it really that easy? Why exactly would it be easy (or difficult) to install one on our transmissions?

Theoretically, adding the cooler should not cause any damage because the car will still have the electronic protection that cuts in if the drivetrain gets too hot.

As long as the cooler doesn't create any problems with low or high fluid levels, aerate the oil, the fittings don't leak, the pump doesn't fail, the hoses don't melt, trash doesn't get into the transmission, etc. you should be fine.

 

[NipSC4328]

What's the procedure for checking the tranny fluid level? In the old days you would add fluid until fluid reached the bottom of the fill hole. How would you do this with a cooler installed?

 

[mattlqx]

FWIW, I just came from the Track Tour here in Phoenix and all the Ford guys I talked to I gave them some grief about the issue. I spoke to Mike G from FP and Jim Owens as well among others. They were all rather apologetic and reiterated that FP is "investigating" the coolers as aftermarket. They were also mixed on just saying the aftermarket in general will take care of it eventually.

Nothing new on that front, but Jim Owens insisted that the research showed that people wanted distinct use-cases for the car and that they didn't offer coolers as a FSO because dealers just tend to check all the boxes for options and that would've left customers buying stuff they didn't need. I don't agree that this was a better buying experience but it felt good to have the conversation with him and I'm really happy that Ford puts passion behind these events and continues to do promotional appearances like this.

 

[montreal ponies]

So far all we've heard from FP is " late summer" and "investigating ". What gives !

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