Adding Trans Cooler to '94 Cutlass Supreme w/3100 & 4T60E

[DavidHowell3633]

Does anyone have any experience with this application? I would like to know where you installed the cooler and what size you used. Anything else? Thanks, David

[GP1138]

I know there are some people that retrofit the 3.4L DOHC cooler onto their cars by cutting the lines and splicing it in using rubber lines and hose clamps.

[Q-Ball]

C-Bad did it to his 95 GP SE w/ 3100. Too bad he's not around here anymore.

[Crazy K]

I've done it to my 95... and I am about to do it to my 94. I used the OEM 91-93 DOHC/3800 transcoller, but had to modify the bracket cause the rad support changed.

 

You could buy an aftermarket one for a pretty penny and stick it on. put it on the drivers side in frotn of the rad and condenser.

[kuwaitliberation]

Mine already has one

[ismellrealbad]

a good aftermarket one is only like 60 bucks. i might have even went all out and baught one with a little fan built in for 120. ya all u do is cut into the hoses, get some fittings and connect your trans cooler cose. anyone have pics of lq1/3.8 cooler? never knew they had it

[DavidHowell3633]

Thanks for the feedback. Still, I would appreciate knowing if you have to rip the front bumper off or can you do the work without dismantling the bumper. Thanks, David

[Crazy K]

supremes are very hard. there is little space, and the airbag sensor is nearby.

 

 

IT CAN BE DONE!

 

I would buy the smallest size one and hang it off the front of the condenser... and run the hoses between the radiator and the rad support, but put on the wire loom protectors to prevent damage. thats how i did it in the 95.

[DavidHowell3633]

CrazyK - Thanks for the specifics. I'll disconnect the battery when I do this. Is there a recommendation on how to get to the condenser? I thought it might be just as easy to remove the radiator and fans to give me some room. But, if that doesn't help me get in front of the condenser do I have to pull the front bumper cover?

BTW, I'm hoping this will help address the problem of not locking up at highway speeds. When things warm up good, I lose OD.

 

[Crazy K]

I have the same OD loss in my 95. and it sucks. the trans cooler made it better, but it was defective(hairline leak) and i need to replace it with another one.

 

buy an aftermarket one, and use the plastic zip lines that come with it... Then you could just pull the fans off the radiator, release the rad mounts and tip the radiator back enough to add the zip lines through the condensor, and attach the trans cooler to the rads front. I did exactly this to my 95 Ciera, which I dubbed "Billy Goat Gruff" since I built it up to handle steep grades. I've driven it on roads with an actual 45 degree grade. no joke. thats torture that a W could not take.

 

 

[ismellrealbad]

mine came with these 4 things that made it so i didnt have to take anything off. placed it where i wanted, slipped them thru the rad/condensor and slipped a cap on the end and bam done in 30 secs

[Crazy K]

mine came with these 4 things that made it so i didnt have to take anything off. placed it where i wanted, slipped them thru the rad/condensor and slipped a cap on the end and bam done in 30 secs

 

DON'T DO THAT!

 

the 4 things are the locking zip strips I refer to.

 

back to why I said not to do that. You have now run the plastic thing though the condensor and radiator and the reasons you should not:

 

1 they are run though separate items that may move around and shift. they may break the ties, OR may rub through the radiator. i've seen two W's with radiator rub though where inappropriate things in constant contact with the radiator rubbed though one of tubes in the core.

 

2 if you need to service or replace the radiator, you must replace the zip strips unnecessarily.

 

 

 

[DavidHowell3633]

CRAZY- I don't mean to drag on, but, what did you have to do to mount the trans cooler to the front of the condenser? I have a 94 Cutlass Supreme convertible btw.

[Crazy K]

CRAZY- I don't mean to drag on, but, what did you have to do to mount the trans cooler to the front of the condenser? I have a 94 Cutlass Supreme convertible btw.

 

oh.... thats a bitch. the structural cross bracing blocks you.

 

I'm going to mount one on the underside of the front bumper i think..... or..... I have not yet figured this out yet myself!

 

 

 

p.s.

Go introduce yourself in the convertiholics anonymous thread you goof!!!!!

[DavidHowell3633]

Crazy K- I crawled under this afternoon and see the braces. Looks like you could possibly use some aircraft style fasteners, the ones that are rubber coated, and fasten onto the braces.

While I was under there, I looked around and see that the air has to pass up and into the condenser/radiator. Man! We need some kind of cow catcher air dam spoiler scoop thingy to help the air, in my opinion.

I see why you suggested the driver's side- the fan cycles more when you have the AC on.

Well, I'll go over and say hi to the vert folks.

David