Is this a good transmission cooler to get for a KJ2 5 speed?
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Derale-13220-Frame-Rail-Transmission-Cooler-Kit-2-5-16-75-1-75-11-32-Barb-/161081897582?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item25813ab26e

And, is it possible to buy 1 liter oil bottles from Mitsubishi? I have genuine oil in there.

Thanks

Yes, 1L bottles are available through Mitsubishi.
Part number should be MR922837, you'll need to confirm that with your dealer though.

Spetz, I don't think that one is big enough.
Have a look at the following:
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/DERALE-13311-TRANS-TRANSMISSION-COOLER-13-TUBE-FIN-/181186482983?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2a2f8e5327

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/HAYDEN-TRANSMISSION-COOLER-H7-5-XW12-5-HAY-403-/140570522193?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item20baa7f251

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/HAYDEN-TRANSMISSION-COOLER-H7-5-XW12-5-HAY-403-/140570522193?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item20baa7f251

Thanks Vlad,
Those look too big though?
I don't use the car for towing, and since it doesn't have a transmission cooler from factory I thought even a small one would be enough?

EDIT:
How about this one:
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/DERALE-DERALE-FRAME-RAIL-FLUID-COOLER-6AN-INLETS-24-3-4-L-X-2-1-2-W-DP13225-/190888409996?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2c71d5fb8c

Hmm, it does have a factory transmission cooler, it is the lower section of the main radiator. I have a 30x25cm unit mounted infront of the radiator, on the passenger side off the middle. There is plenty of room there. It is a pain to install though and can take a couple of hours, mainly to remove and refit the bumper skin.

Also, if you install it yourself or get it installed, please do not route the hose over the radiator. It happened to me twice (first by a mechanic friend and then later by a mitsu dealer). It was fine until the engine bay heated up and the hose sagged and started getting knotched by the fan blades.

The proper way is to remove the battery and run it under there and then to the connector.

How much better are these going to work over the standard transmission cooler? I will be doing some towing in the summer months.

You do not bypass the factory one. You connect it inline. Trans to factory cooler and then to aux cooler then back to trans.

Vlad, where is the stock cooler in the radiator, ie, top or bottom?
And why would the hoses take such a long route, couldn't the cooler be connected where the stock piping goes into the radiator?

Bottom. Yes you could join the existing return hose to the new return hose from the new cooler but the installer replaced the whole hose with a single piece. My aux cooler is mounted sideways with the inlet/outlet facing the passenger side and the bottome one being the inlet and the top one being the outlet.

On both my previously mentioned occassions, the mitsu dealer re-routed as explained.

You do not bypass the factory one. You connect it inline. Trans to factory cooler and then to aux cooler then back to trans.

Definitely getting one before summer. I like spetz idea just running the return from aux back to radiator and connect. I'm lazy though.

It is common to use a factory 2nd gen cooler for the transmission. I did.

The 13" derale that Vlad linked can fit behind the grille Spetz. This is a good size and you don't need to go any bigger as it's big enough to accomodate heavy duty towing or high performance applications. I have the exact same one fitted with the cooler arrayed vertically (up - down). The hoses are connected inline with the factory cooler with the hose outlets of the derale trans cooler facing down, sk that the hoses are fed through the underside. It goes on the passanger side of the grille infront of the aircon radiator which is infront of the engine radiator. You just need to make 3 small brackets. 2 for the top and one for the bottom. The bracket for the bottom will have to extend maybe an inch or so out so as to clear the bottom of the bumper and leave enough room to feed the hoses through. The hoses are 5/16 or 8mm. I also recommend a series inline external transmission filter that can be changed or have the filter element replaced with every transmission service. Personally, I use the magnefine which can be replaced every 20,000 kms or so and costs around $20. Or you can get the fancier and more expensive derale filter kit which is bracket mounted and is a servicable unit with a replacable internal filter element.

Can the transmission cooler be too big?
ie, does the oil have to be in a certain sweet zone or does it not matter?

ADM, very interested in the magnefine filter. where did you mount yours? and to replace, just disconnect both ends and replace with new one?
cheers.

Can the transmission cooler be too big?
ie, does the oil have to be in a certain sweet zone or does it not matter?

yes however the factory cooller will heat the oil again

Can the transmission cooler be too big?
ie, does the oil have to be in a certain sweet zone or does it not matter?
Yes, external coolers can be too big. Yes, the ATF should be in certain temperature range for the gearbox to function best. This is why the recommendation to keep the in-radiator cooler in the loop (especially in Canberra), as the radiator section helps get the ATF up to the required temperature before the extra cooling from the external unit kicks in.

Does anyone know the temperature range that is best? (Assuming around the 80-100 degrees)
When I install an aux cooler might wire in a atf temp gauge. Probably something from jay car. Just for peace of mind.

The magnefine filters look like the perfect way to join return line from aux cooler to standard return line. Easy install.

What should I expect to pay for installation?
I went to a transmission shop yesterday and they said between 2-3 hours labor + consumables, at $120 p/h, so potentially near $400 seems ridiculous

ADM, very interested in the magnefine filter. where did you mount yours? and to replace, just disconnect both ends and replace with new one?
cheers.

Read about someone else's experience with magnefine filters here. http://www.s10forum.com/forum/f13/problems-with-defective-bad-magnefine-filters-510283/
Giving a good explanation on how it works and any pitfalls you need to be aware of.

beware of knockoffs... http://rdx.acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?p=14474779#post14474779

I've always got mine from ebay. Not sure of where else to get one?

What should I expect to pay for installation?
I went to a transmission shop yesterday and they said between 2-3 hours labor + consumables, at $120 p/h, so potentially near $400 seems ridiculous

If you are used to Sydney or Melbourne pricing, yes it seems ridiculous. I would suggest that's probably the going rate though in Canberra... :rant:

WytWun, any place you can recommend?
This was the transmission place in Phillip.

I'll call Advanced Transmissions in Mitchell, as they seemed pretty good when they did my transmission flush

What should I expect to pay for installation?
I went to a transmission shop yesterday and they said between 2-3 hours labor + consumables, at $120 p/h, so potentially near $400 seems ridiculous

Easy to do yourself....there is already a DIY on trans coolers on this forum.

I've read the DIY, and it definitely seems like something I could and would be willing to tackle, but I don't have tools to make brackets

ADM, very interested in the magnefine filter. where did you mount yours? and to replace, just disconnect both ends and replace with new one?
cheers.

vlad, check the link below:
http://www.magnefine.com/default.html

You can get them from Bursons auto parts. they cost about $18. You will need the 8mm or 5/16 type to suit your transmission line sizes. As per GTV'i's Link. Get the "Made in Australia" Magnefine filter. I don't think this is a problem here in Aus, more than it is an issue in some other countries.

Mine was mounted near the transmission dip stick and I'm pretty sure it's mounted on the return line. Had my mechanic fit it along with the trans cooler. Though you can get fancy and make up a bracket with a holder and mount it anywhere that's practical I guess.

WytWun, any place you can recommend?

I wouldn't call it a recommendation as such, but I was happy with the work done by Belconnen Transmission & Driveline even knowing the price was stiff. But they're very convenient to my work, I wanted it done and I wasn't prepared to attempt it myself so I paid up...

im using this one in mine: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/B-M-Supercooler-Transmission-Cooler-kit-Compact-Quality-70264-/171007371286?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item27d0d56816

had it in there for over a year. here is a pic:

https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/s720x720/423537_10151090948279207_1891339573_n.jpg

lightgoku, is it mounted on brackets that came with the kit or custom ones?

Used the ones that came with it. Had to bend them slightly though. Could not be bothered to use custom ones.

The kit also come with these zip tie things that you can run though your radiator/ ac condenser and mount that way but I didn't do it this way as didn't like the idea of sticking something through the radiator or condenser.
Comes with very clear instructions do you should be alright if I managed to figure it out.

As far as installation costs go, my mechanic did it for $150 including modifying supplied brackets and fitting the inline filter. Anything over $200 is gettting a bit rich unless they have to drop the front bumper and custom make brackets.