Which would be better? ATF cooler or Oil cooler?

[OSiRiS]

Which would be a better upgrade at the moment? ATF cooler or Oil cooler?

And why?
And prices if possible.

Thanks,
OSiRiS

[Kieran]

My money would be on ATF cooler - provided you use a good quality synthetic oil and change it regularly. Your ATF isn't as stressed as engine oil, but then, it doesn't take much to toast it, especially with the standard Mitsubishi transmission warmer...Errr I mean cooler - and it's change intervals are MUCH longer!

[OSiRiS]

Ok sweet.

8mm fittings on the ATF cooler, remove the lines from the bottom of the radiator, and put them onto my new cooler.

Anything else?
e.g. line extensions etc?

Ta,
OSiRiS

[OSiRiS]

Is $150 reasonable for this?

Brand new, 280mm x 180mm x 20mm

[Gly]

if you buying from ripco etc. that would be what you would pay,

i got mine new from TM for $60

and looks to be exactly as what you got pictured mine came with some hose and 4 hose clamps.

[OSiRiS]

Ok I'm getting priced up on a different cooler, hopefully it'll be alot cheaper, being done through my mate.

329mm x 175mm x 50mm.

Are the lines on the bottom of the radiator flexible? They are 8mm? Would I need longer lines etc?

Ta,
OSiRiS

[Kieran]

I would personally intercept the gearbox lines where they loop over into the engine bay.... it's easy to access the return line from the factory gearbox cooler there (see my article on changing the ATF to see where I mean). The general opinion on the 'Net is that you should install an additional cooler such that the ATF flows into it AFTER it's been through the stock one. That way you get maximum cooling.


Yes, you'll need 8mm oil resistant hose. 7.6 or 8mm fuel injection hose (has nylon reinforcing braiding to withstand the pressure) has worked fine for me in the past.

[OSiRiS]

Oh ok so leave the standard one as it is, and instead of looping back straight to where it came from, send it to the aftermarket one, then back to where it originates from?

[Kieran]

Yep, that's right. Therory is that in some cases, the OEM cooler can warm up the fluid.... so it defeats the object if it's the last in series.

[OSiRiS]

Sweet.

Can you link the ATF fluid change thread please :)

[Kieran]

Sweet.

Can you link the ATF fluid change thread please :)

It's in the articles forum in the members area ;)