transmission cooler kit

[jplar]

I was looking on autozone.com and came across several kits made by Hayden. Pricing ranges from $23-$60. What size should I be looking to get with a stock setup, assuming price isn't an issue?

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*Atlanta's image

[atlantamx3]

I got mine from Autozone-- but it isnt from Hayden. I think it Deutsch or something.

Anyway, I got the medium sized one so it would fill up my stock front bumper the best (top to bottom). If its too tall, the air wont get to it because its being blocked by the bumper.

<img src="http://www.atlantamx3.com/perry/p22.jpg" alt=" - " />

You can also paint it black so it doesnt stand out.

[tw1st3d_cl0wn]

Well, I just bought an MX-3, automatic, and have been hearing alot about tranny coolers. Thinking of buying one but need to know if it's something I can do myself. I don't have alot of experience working on my own car, so keep that in mind when giving me an answer. It'd be something I need to do myself since I have close to no money to spend on a mechanic. Anyway, thanks for your help in advance!

[guyaverage]

The Autozone link no worky.

Anyway, I used one off a Ford Explorer. I have found that plate-and-fin coolers in the 18,000-20,000 gvwr range are a good fit and work well. Check out this thread http://www.mx-3.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=36307 where it is talked about.

Pop the hood and look down at the tranny, you'll see two hoses coming out that both run to the radiator. The one on the left stays put. The one on the right gets pulled off. The two hoses on the tranny cooler get connected in place of this hose (one of the hoses from the tranny cooler goes to the tranny, the other goes to the radiator).

I have a few pictures in that link that shows how I mounted mine. A few dollars at Home Depot gets you all the hardware you need to mount the cooler behind the bumper. Use transmission cooler hose, DO NOT fuel hose or anything else that will fail a few months later. The hole operation will take you an hour, 2 if you are taking your time. There is a nice big gap around the driver side of the radiator to run the hoses. Use 5/16's hose. Secure them with zip-ties so they dont flop around.

If you havent changed the fluid and filter within the last 20,000 miles or so, now is a good time to do it. Use Dexron III/Mercon fluid.

[tw1st3d_cl0wn]

Cool, thanks for the info. Yeah, I want to change the fluid. I got the car about a month ago, and I don't know when it was last changed, or what's in there. I haven't checked it yet to see what it looks like. I heard I should get it flushed but can't afford that. And I suppose it'd be a bad idea just add more if I need it when I don't know what's in there.

But I'll definintely invest in a tranny cooler. Thanks!

[guyaverage]

Do **NOT** get a 'power flush'. EVERY single person I know who has done this has ended up replacing the transmission within 6 months. Maybe its a co-inky-dink, maybe not. I wouldnt do it. When you change the fluid by dropping the pan, you are only getting about 1/2 of it (the rest is still in the torque converter) but that is enough to refresh all but the most filthy of fluids. Change it again in a few months it will be fine. If you EVER change the fluid you're doing more than 90% of car owners do anyway.

(You can do an alternate method, which is removing one of the cooler hoses and allowing it to drain into a bucket as you add new fluid through the filler hole, but you will need two people do to this (engine running) and its hard to pour it in that little filler hole as fast as it comes out of the cooler hose so the engine will have to be stopped every minute or so to "catch up". Once the fluid flowing out is as clean as what you are pouring in you are done. You'll get all the old fluid out this way but you'll end up wasting some and you still have to drop the pan to change the filter first anyway.)

Do periodic filter/fluid changes and add the cooler (almost ANY cooler) and it will be fine for a long time as long as the previous owner didnt beat the snot out of it.

[tw1st3d_cl0wn]

Cool, thanks for the help! I appreciate it.