Transmission Oil Cooler / Temperature Gauge

[Davezj]

i was looking in to fitting a auto trans temp gauge.

i have the gauge and sensor and metal block with input and output comection suitable but the temp sensor has a 1/8 or 3/8 bsp thread, i think, which is a tappered thread and all my taps are M series (M2- M12).

Can you get the tappered thread tapes?

[elnevio]

I think most gauge senders are 1/8 BSP, and not usually tapered.

I am struggling to see which of their oil stats have a 1/8 BSP threaded hole for sensor placement?

And does anyone know what size the ATF pipes are?


I am envisaging the following set-up:

Temperature Gauge
In-line sensor placed in the return line from the gearbox.

Transmission Cooler
Oil stat placed between the return and feed lines (after the temp sensor above), which then feeds the oil cooler mounted in front of the main radiator.


It should be noted that the B&M gauge kit has a built-in thermostat, which would negate the requirement for a separate stat. I am inclined to get the B&M gauge kit, and just to fit a different gauge that measures in Centigrade.


I don't like the idea of tapping the gearbox housing for the temperature sensor - might be fine, but I think most people like the idea of a simple in-line type of installation, or using a port that already exists.

As for the Mocal coolers, their price-list seems a little expensive - with a look around, I'm sure that we can get a cooler kit in the region of £50-60, rather than the £90 or so as quoted. Although obviously no group buy enquiries have been made yet.

[chris g]

Having looked at the Mocal oil coolers, I have no idea about size of cooler, pipes, connectors or whatever is required...

[elnevio]

Looking in Enigma's original installation article, you can see the style of cooler used. It looks about 15" by 8" or so. I don't think we need one this big!

The good news is that we can use almost any size of cooler. I think that something around 11" by 7" would be more than sufficient? Any thoughts on that?

Here's an example on eBay: http://www.clubvr4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=19516 (EDIT: no it's not - that's the cooler article! )

On which point, it seems that we're more likely to get these cheaper from the States! Surely there must be somewhere that can do a decent cooler over here for around £40 or so?

[unwritten-dinasty]

I have this one http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/HAYDE...Q5fAccessories
installed on my VR-4 in the front grille. Has been superb so far. I have it installed after the OEM cooler as i live in the caribbean and its 100degrees all year long here.

[elnevio]

Now that is one I've seen on eBay. And someone has already installed the very same one! Excellent!

Do you have a temperature gauge installed too? And do you have any before and after readings for comparisons?

And of course, any pics? They would be really useful.


As for the process generally, I was going to suggest that there needs to be two stages for this: 1) The purchase and install of a temperature gauge; and 2) The purchase and install of the cooler itself.

If we agree on a kit for either, then I can enquire about group purchasing - even if it only saves a chunk of postage. Especially if stuff is coming from the States.

Stage 1 could take place say by the end of Feb, with the cooler stage to be finished by about mid-April? Just throwing some ideas around, so comments are appreciated! I don't think that anyone is in a massive rush. Especially as the first (likely for most that are interested) track session is JapFest in may, and the weather up until April will be freezing!

[unwritten-dinasty]

Later on il install my boost controller, i'll take a few pics of the cooler as well.

I didnt install a Temperature gauge cause like i said, i live in the caribbean and its hot all damn year long and i dont want to stress myself knowing how hot is that ATF in there, so i just installed it and have some kind of rest knowing that i am getting much better cooling than stock

[elnevio]

Later on il install my boost controller, i'll take a few pics of the cooler as well.

I didnt install a Temperature gauge cause like i said, i live in the caribbean and its hot all damn year long and i dont want to stress myself knowing how hot is that ATF in there, so i just installed it and have some kind of rest knowing that i am getting much better cooling than stock

Ok, no probs! Pics would be useful, certainly as you have sited the cooler in a different place to that as shown in enigma's article. Thanks for your input!

[unwritten-dinasty]

I put it in the same place as Osiri's. In the front grille (where the VR-4 logo is).

[chris g]

After checking with Kieran I ended up with the same as him:

Fluidyne EXTRA HD Transmission Cooler Kit

From eBay - worked out at AFAIK £21 plus postage

[elnevio]

After checking with Kieran I ended up with the same as him:

Fluidyne EXTRA HD Transmission Cooler Kit

From eBay - worked out at AFAIK £21 plus postage

Was that from the States too Chris, or closer to home?

[Turbo_Steve]

IF you want to check out the 500bhp auto thread, there's been some discussion around the factory sensor in the gearbox, which potentially would give us some temps? Totally uncalibrated, of course, but I would have thought even an approximation is a good guide, and potentially very cheap.

We'd need someone with a wrecked gearbox to pull the sensor out and try it at diferent temps to get some idea of calibration. Or to send me their sensor and I'll do it! LOL

This would also allow the use of something like this (or cheaper) whereby the display could be slotted in next to the clock or similar (with a bit of basic butchery )

[elnevio]

I've been looking at the parts/instructions pdf for that gauge from the states.

I reckon that it would be easier to get a t-piece such as that in the kit, and then plumb in a regular oil pressure gauge (in Centigrade!). Then it can be obtained from the UK, and match any existing gauges!

If so, I could do with working out exactly which t-piece is required. Probably easiest for everyone to then get their own t-piece and gauge kit.

But could still do the group buy on the cooler kit.

I've found the cooler kit mentioned by Chris: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/V8-Ge...Q5fAccessories

How's this sound instead?

[chris g]

Using link from Kieran, I bought it from the States...

Other bits to complete fitting will have to be obtained after delivery...

[Kieran]

One thing to mention - The Fluidyne cooler I've suggested is massively over specced for what we need (I did record the BTU rejection rating of the stock coolers somwhere on here) - However, this is perhaps wise for a couple of reasons:

It'll help mitigate the effects of less than ideal airflow (You only get the rated cooling if the entire cooler core is exposed to airflow)
Having the Fluidyne plumbed in before the stock cooler means that the fluidyne takes most of the heat out, meaning the stock cooler shifts role slightly to more of a temperature stabiliser - Which in turn takes pressure off of the engine coolant system.

So yeah, it's a good choice - And at that price, a bargain!

[elnevio]

Well, I think you've probably sealed our choice!

I figured it was over-specced given that it's supposedly rated for motorhomes, American ones at that!

It's got everything we need in that kit, yes?

[chris g]

From my uneducated viewing of the pics attached to the cooler on eBay, it seems that we will need some pipes and maybe t'other stuff to fasten it all togerher...

[Kieran]

Chris is right, the 'Kit' is just the cooler and some bits to mount it to the radiator. You'll need a bit of hose and some jubilee clips - And perhaps a bit of foam to stop the hose chafing.

[chris g]

Plus the comments from Kieran about fitting...

[elnevio]

Hose is included, as per the description, and the jubilee clips are in the pic!

enigma used a short length of the hose to prevent chafing.