Transmission Cooler

[nolafishr]

I want to install a new tranny cooler and was wondering if anyone removed the heat exchanger on the passenger side of the engine and went with just a straight tranny cooler instead. I have my truck down for other repairs I am doing also and wanted to tackle this while at it and get all of this done. I was reading some posts about it and see it has a anti drain back valve in there so it sounds like it would be good to remove it. I plan on removing everything and starting fresh with all new stuff. I do have a stacked plate cooler but was looking at some that have the fan with it also and think that would be better.

[DodgeFreak]

not sure where you live but if your in a cold climate the heat exchanger helps warm up the transfluid on the cold days.

[dazedandconfused]

Also if you actually use the truck for work you will struggle to keep the trans cool removing the factory liquid exvhanger on the side of the block.

[cmann250]

I went down this road recently. Keep the heat exchanger because fliud to fluid is the most effective heat transfer. It seems backwards that 180* water cools trans fluid, but it does.

[nolafishr]

OK Thanks Guys, I will keep it, was just wondering about it.

[monoblock]

Nola, This is an interesting subject and maybe a little late for you but...
If your objective is to cool the trans fluid then a thermostatic by-pass valve + a supplementary cooler in series with the existing lines is possible .I have done this successfully on other vehicles. Derale have a valve for around $50+shpg.
http://www.etrailer.com/Accessories-and ... Qgod5lUAQA
If you are also concerned about high trans temps causing the coolant to boil, consider using the plate cooler you mentioned as a pre-cooler, before the trans fluid enters the radiator heat exchanger?
An accurate ,well placed trans temp gauge is probably a good idea? I have just fitted one to the rear side trans pan(B&M drain adapter).