Using Engine Oil Cooler for Trans Cooler

[ravege]

Any reason this would be a bad idea instead of using the trans cooler with the lines running around to the front? Does one have a bigger cooling element than the other?

 

[charlief1]

The biggest issue I see is finding some sort of adapter to go from the oil lines to the tranny lines, not to mention if you had an engine bow up and trash is iit.

 

[ravege]

I did use the oil cooler for a few miles, but no debris.

Was thinking of this on the radiator: https://www.fastenal.com/products;j...9F9C2C4.jvm1?term=3/4"-18+adapter&searchMode=
and this on trans http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ati-925138/overview/

 

[turbobitt]

I'm doing this on my Alradco radiator now. I don't remember what I used for adapter fittings but I do know they are -8 to and from the trans. The ports for the intended trans cooler in the radiator are now oil supply for the turbo. Figured I would use it for something.
The only downfall to running the trans cooler lines like this are that it seems to be very efficient to puling the heat out of the transmission fluid. I never see trans sumps temps vary more that 10 degrees from the coolant temps. But the problem is that the oil cooler lines are on the cool side of the radiator and pump heat into the engine. With a loose spragless non-lockup converter and street driving without an auxiliary pre-cooler the water temps can get very high. For a drag car this isn't a problem and saves the weight and plumbing of an auxiliary cooler but for something that sees a lot of road time it can become an issue. I probably push it anyways with a TH400 and heavy car with my switchable stall. I'm sure I'm putting a lot of heat in my fluid and over taxing the radiator.
AG.

 

[ravege]

I'm not sure I understand, both coolers are on the cold side. Are you saying the engine oil heat exchange element in the side tank is much larger than the transmission element, and will put more heat in?

I did use the oil cooler for a few miles a couple years ago, any concerns about engine oil residue in the cooler contaminating the trans fluid?

 

[turbobitt]

The engine oil cooler has more volume capability. The transmission cooler supply line comes directly out of the converter and can carry a lot of heat. That heat transfer may cause issues with your water temp if your trans makes a lot of heat like mine does.
AG.