Trans cooler
 

Has anyone used a trans cooler similar to this:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/RUS-651470/?rtype=10

I was wondering if they actually work efficiently. I plan on running one in-line with my factory radiator cooler.

I've never cared for those. They look like they need a lot of air flow to do as much cooling as a more traditional style. If you are using it, I'd make it AFTER the factory cooler to further reduce temp. If you run a traditional front mounted cooler, bypass the in-radiator cooler. It will keep the trans cooler and the engine temp down.

Same question but a different cooler. The one I bought has a line in and a line out. I was thinking of trying this all by it's self.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/DER-13260/
I had planned on mounting it under the car by the frame rail. In it's description it claims to have a lot of surface area for cooling fluid and does not need as much air flow as a traditional style cooler.
Any and all opinions welcome.

For what its worth, I have seen several of those types in street rods that don't get the kind of use our cars may see. My point is that they were created as a packaging "first", engineering "second" cooler. I'm sure they work to some extent but being tucked away from major airflow can't be a good thing.

Look at what the OEMs do. They test, test and test. How long have tranny coolers been up front where the best airflow/cooling area is? Tend to trust OE design and engineering with decades of positive results. The other thing is, look at PT, road race, auto cross or any kind of motorsports where cooling is a primary need for parts survival.
I seriously doubt any of those types of cars are running that type of cooler.

As said above, maybe use it inline after the main cooler up front as a supplement?
The cost of a new tranny outwieghs any packaging issues for a cooler in my mind.
:cheers:

Eric, will if anything I might be out $35.00. I bought it at Back to the 50's car show at the MN state fair grounds. I had a few things in mind when I bought the cooler.
1st The 1st gen 400 Firebirds are known for over heating problems.
2nd I was trying to stay away from putting a cooler in front of my radiator.
3rd I wanted to eliminate the hot transmission fluid from the radiator.
So, I bought this cooler thinking that if I put it on the outside of the frame rail it would be away from the main exhaust heat and would get decent air flow going down the road. I'm not postive how the tranny cooler works in a standard radiator. I figured this would have at least the same capacity if not more. I just started to have my concerns so I thought I would ask.

I agree the extra capacity should help. And away from the exhaust as far as possible.
I didn't know the first gen birds had overheating issues.
But, I still think the best solution is a traditional style cooler up front. You should be able to hide it ok,and with a good puller fan on the back of the radiator should get plenty of airflow.

Until someone has test results, I'd have to say I'm sticking with traditional coolers. I just can't believe so little surface area can dissipate the same amount of heat that the traditional can with its massive area.