what up guys i want to put an oil cooler for my tranny before the summer starts here in phoenix az. i was looking at a hayden rapid cool. is it worth it. is there a topic showing how to install it. and what do they mean bypass the radiator. should i do that.

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2001 Pontiac Bonneville SLE. gutted air box. hockey puck mount.
1996 Ford F-150 XLT regular cab shortbed 4x4 351 Windsor

Make sure you use a stacked plate cooler, not a finned cooler. The install on the 2k and newer is too exposed to road debris.

Here's a recent topic for you:
viewtopic.php?f=12&t=3374

Make sure you pick your spot and measure before selecting one. Your install will be dramatically different than the 99 and older. This topic shows a great install on a 2k:
viewtopic.php?f=9&t=19647&hilit=cooler&start=160

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Click here for mod list for both cars
93 SSEi, 95 SLE (supercharged) 97 Buick LeSabre Limited
PontiacDad at WCBF '04: Cruise control? That's like surrendering!
Comprehensive guide to troubleshooting, rebuilding, and modifying Eaton Superchargers

What do you mean by stacked and finned cooler

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2001 Pontiac Bonneville SLE. gutted air box. hockey puck mount.
1996 Ford F-150 XLT regular cab shortbed 4x4 351 Windsor

Finned is like your radiator. If it's exposed and it takes a rock or piece of rubber, it'll bend the aluminum fins. Now find a stacked plate cooler like the ones linked in that first topic, and you'll see the difference.

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Click here for mod list for both cars
93 SSEi, 95 SLE (supercharged) 97 Buick LeSabre Limited
PontiacDad at WCBF '04: Cruise control? That's like surrendering!
Comprehensive guide to troubleshooting, rebuilding, and modifying Eaton Superchargers

this is the one i got for $15.
http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detai ... &ppt=C0331
so i should srll it and get the stacked one?

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2001 Pontiac Bonneville SLE. gutted air box. hockey puck mount.
1996 Ford F-150 XLT regular cab shortbed 4x4 351 Windsor

Your link is exactly what Bill is saying to use. This is what you do not want: http://findnsave.charlotteobserver.com/Product/1613024

so the one i have is the correct one? im a lil confused.

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2001 Pontiac Bonneville SLE. gutted air box. hockey puck mount.
1996 Ford F-150 XLT regular cab shortbed 4x4 351 Windsor

Good
http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detail/HAD2/678.oap?pt=01366&ppt=C0331

Bad
http://findnsave.charlotteobserver.com/Product/1613024

The first one Matt has linked is what's on my shelf at home waiting for me to install it, lol.

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Bye Bye:

RIP sandrock

so i have the correct one right???

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2001 Pontiac Bonneville SLE. gutted air box. hockey puck mount.
1996 Ford F-150 XLT regular cab shortbed 4x4 351 Windsor

Yes, the one you have is the right one.

_________________
Bye Bye:

RIP sandrock

Is the stacked cooler mounted in front of radiator? It looks solid.

I just added a a junkyard cooler from a 95, bolted right up to the 97. $10.00 with all the hardware.

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1997 SSEI 3.8 L67 149,000 miles Moonroof, Polished Gen V w/L32 intake, 3.5 mod. Pulley, SD Headers, Intense Stage 1 tune, MagnaFlow Cat 94109, Catco catback, Autolite 103s, 180 stat, Intense FWI, 1995 OEM trans cooler, Cleared corners. KYB Excel G struts and shocks.


2006 Malibu SS 3.9 60 degree V6, Variable Valve, Tap shift Trans, 100,000 miles Bone stock

SOLD - 1992 SSEI FWI PEM Catco Cat NGK TR55 180 stat Original owner 209,000 miles Original Engine and Trans - Still strong when she left

The problem with what you did is that you don't know if that cooler was installed when the transmission puked it's guts and clogged all the passages. Until you flow-check it, I'd suggest removing it for safety. If some of the passages are clogged, you'll reduce fluid flow, and starve your transmission, causing more damage than good. This is why the stock loop through the radiator should always be bypassed after the first transmission failure.

A larger stacked-plate cooler will be better in any situation. I replaced the stock trans cooler on my 93, and plan to on the 95.

_________________

Click here for mod list for both cars
93 SSEi, 95 SLE (supercharged) 97 Buick LeSabre Limited
PontiacDad at WCBF '04: Cruise control? That's like surrendering!
Comprehensive guide to troubleshooting, rebuilding, and modifying Eaton Superchargers

Will, Good point. I think I'm ok. Donor car was hit in the rear. I did blow air through the cooler before install. Seemed to flow well. Can I pull a line to check flow when running?

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1997 SSEI 3.8 L67 149,000 miles Moonroof, Polished Gen V w/L32 intake, 3.5 mod. Pulley, SD Headers, Intense Stage 1 tune, MagnaFlow Cat 94109, Catco catback, Autolite 103s, 180 stat, Intense FWI, 1995 OEM trans cooler, Cleared corners. KYB Excel G struts and shocks.


2006 Malibu SS 3.9 60 degree V6, Variable Valve, Tap shift Trans, 100,000 miles Bone stock

SOLD - 1992 SSEI FWI PEM Catco Cat NGK TR55 180 stat Original owner 209,000 miles Original Engine and Trans - Still strong when she left

Without some knowledge of the proper flow rate, it would only tell you IF it was flowing.

Considering the car you got it from, I'd say you have a low risk. Any time any car has a transmission failure, the trans cooler (if equipped) should be replaced, and the core in the radiator bypassed. Those passages are TINY. One of these days I'll cross-section one to show you guys why the risk is so high.

As a general rule of thumb, it's typically the 2nd or 3rd transmission failure that sends 3800's to the wrecker. If you don't see obvious body damage, you should suspect that first.

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Click here for mod list for both cars
93 SSEi, 95 SLE (supercharged) 97 Buick LeSabre Limited
PontiacDad at WCBF '04: Cruise control? That's like surrendering!
Comprehensive guide to troubleshooting, rebuilding, and modifying Eaton Superchargers

Will, You have me paranoid about it. Hate to mess up a trans trying to help it. Could be expensive mistake. Donor car was hit from behind but had a clean Good Wrench engine, probably second transmission. . Probably best to remove cooler. Any way to test flow by a shade tree mechanic. I really like the look of the factory cooler.

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1997 SSEI 3.8 L67 149,000 miles Moonroof, Polished Gen V w/L32 intake, 3.5 mod. Pulley, SD Headers, Intense Stage 1 tune, MagnaFlow Cat 94109, Catco catback, Autolite 103s, 180 stat, Intense FWI, 1995 OEM trans cooler, Cleared corners. KYB Excel G struts and shocks.


2006 Malibu SS 3.9 60 degree V6, Variable Valve, Tap shift Trans, 100,000 miles Bone stock

SOLD - 1992 SSEI FWI PEM Catco Cat NGK TR55 180 stat Original owner 209,000 miles Original Engine and Trans - Still strong when she left

You won't even see an aftermarket cooler with the hood closed. Peace of mind comes for about $60.

_________________

Click here for mod list for both cars
93 SSEi, 95 SLE (supercharged) 97 Buick LeSabre Limited
PontiacDad at WCBF '04: Cruise control? That's like surrendering!
Comprehensive guide to troubleshooting, rebuilding, and modifying Eaton Superchargers