Trans Cooler?

[Richz68]

I'm having a minor dilemma. I need to figure out a new cooling system for my '74 Nova and I want to keep it very reasonably priced. What I was wondering is if it's necessary to have the trans cooler built into the radiator, or if I could get a universal radiator without the built in trans cooler and just get an external cooler for the trans. It would be cooling a slightly built 700-r4 to be able to handle a low- to mid- 400hp 383. Could anyone offer some advice on this? Also, if I can use an external cooler, what should I be looking for in an external cooler? Thanks
-Steve

Steve,


Be careful going with an external cooler with your tranny. What we call internal transmission coolers were originally designed to warm the transmission fluid at start-up and coincidentally cooled the fluid at high temps. They becaome known more as a cooler than a warmer. Most transmissions really only need a cooler now-a-days and the external cooler is the best scenario not only for the coolant temps, but for the ability to reduce transmission fluid temps. There are however always exceptions and GM overdrive trannys actually need their fluid to be warm during cold weather start ups. I noticed that you live in an area of the country where you might drive the car in sub 30 degree weather. If so, go with a internal cooler.