a4 guys: Trans Cooler or Derale Cooler Pan??

Hey guys,

i am about to flush the tranny again, reaching 60k miles and figured it wouldn't hurt to add alittle extra protection.

Cars all stock except for a cat back and plan to add a few more bolt ons maybe LT's, ported tb/intake, tune nothing to crazy and i was leaning toward derale pan because that way less chance of hoses leaking, let me know what you guys think...

I'm going to get both when i put in my stall, I'd suspect the pan is easier, but the cooler has better cooling capabilities.

since your all stock and not planning a stall, I'd go with the pan.

Having gone 60k without any issues is enough of a reason to do nothing. With the mods you stated as far as the trans is concerned the car is stock. If you not racing much,i.e. power braking, than you are not building a lot of extra heat. Your PM program is probably doing more good than a cooler would at this point. Put a high stall converter in and all bets are off, racing often same thing.

I agree with these guys. At the level your at a cooler is not needed. Honestly I think you would be wasting your money on an upgraded pan too. Ive got a 3400 converter in my car and still havent installed a cooler. I watch my trans temps closely with hptuners and they have never gotten over 200 degrees even in the heat of summer. Having the trans temps too cold can be nearly as bad as having them hot.

I do have pulse width modulation for the tcc removed completely with a solid valve and have the cooling fans come on so they keep engine temp just under 200 deg. That helps keep the trans temps down as well As a reference, before any mods to the trans or cooling fans the tranny temps would be in the 210-220 range while idling and stop and go traffic.

I installed a trans cooler after putting in a 2800 stall. The install was very easy - took 30 minutes and 3 beers.

Haven't had any issues but I make a habit of changing out the trans fluid annually.

The derale pan is a good purchase; extra fluid never hurt and you get some cooling (2-3*) on the highway.

the drain plug makes future fluid changes a little less messy too.

I've taken it to the track 3 or 4 times, and if i were to add headers and such i may take it back but its on a rare occasion i just was thinking about planning ahead so it lasts.

Also with a tune and removing some TM that it could cause alittle more heat but not enough to need one? even in florida summer stop and go lol.

Quote: Originally Posted by lanseman... Having gone 60k without any issues is enough of a reason to do nothing. With the mods you stated as far as the trans is concerned the car is stock. If you not racing much,i.e. power braking, than you are not building a lot of extra heat. Your PM program is probably doing more good than a cooler would at this point. Put a high stall converter in and all bets are off, racing often same thing.

listen to this^^^

In the hot summer driving with just a derale and my shift kit/vig 3200 I am at 195 to 210 and In the fall 180 to 200...I dont beat on the car when the trans is above 195 and I only make 2 runs at the track back to back and so far the trans fluid and trans are fine 15K and going strong..

I may add a cooler but I really dont this I need one...
4K + stall and I would have one for sure...

I have yet to see a need for a cooler. I've got a 427 stroker pushing a 5k stall and I rarely get over 200 degrees. At the track it will hit 200 but I let it cool down between runs anyway so I just haven't found a cooler necessary at all.

Quote: Originally Posted by 05Judge... I have yet to see a need for a cooler. I've got a 427 stroker pushing a 5k stall and I rarely get over 200 degrees. At the track it will hit 200 but I let it cool down between runs anyway so I just haven't found a cooler necessary at all.

There ya go OP. If this guys tranny is ok without one you will be too lol.