Hi All,
I thought I would add my experience of installing a transmission cooler to a 3rd Gen Magna.

Why I installed one? I noticed that my trans fluid was burning (Pink to brown in 20,000km) and Trans occasionally slipped just off idle when hot.

What I installed
A PWR trans cooler 280mm x 255mm x 19mm cooler (from Ebay)

How Installed
I used the existing chassis eyelets (164mm between centres) to mount a raised base bracket to. Then I fabricated vertical brackets to inset the cooler 5mm off the face of the A/C condensor. The D/S bracket was bolted to the chassis upper and the P/S bracket I stapped to the Bumper support.
The Hoses I ran around the drivers side of the radiator and used 5/8 heater hose to sleeve the 5/16 hose where it came close to metal or sharp edges.

To add extra protection, I installed a Magnefine inline filter (no pics yet) to filter out impurities)

My initial feel is that the slipping is gone and the trans feels more solid than before. smoother changes and less hunting. Time will tell whether this is just the fluid change or the extra hardware.
http://i902.photobucket.com/albums/ac227/mrathbon/IMG00114.jpg
http://i902.photobucket.com/albums/ac227/mrathbon/IMG00112.jpg


http://i902.photobucket.com/albums/ac227/mrathbon/IMG00111.jpg

http://i902.photobucket.com/albums/ac227/mrathbon/IMG00113.jpg

Good work. Did you do a flush as well and also pumped oil through the cooler to remove any debris?

Also make sure the hoses do not go anywhere near the radiator fans.

Nice, after I installed mine and got it flushed, I haven't had any issues with overheating at all.
Even when driving accross the country from Townsville to Perth and back, 1200km days, it performed flawlessly.
Would be interested to see thei filter.
BTW is it in standalone or in series?

Good work. Did you do a flush as well and also pumped oil through the cooler to remove any debris?

Also make sure the hoses do not go anywhere near the radiator fans.

Yep, flushed the brown toilet water out as per the workshop manual and fixed the hoses such that they are clear of the fans. And I only used Mitsu SP3

Installed in series

trans --> Radiator --> Cooler --> trans

Also interested in seeing this filter.

To add extra protection, I installed a Magneflow inline filter (no pics yet) to filter out impurities)




I don't suppose its one of these from the EBAY listings? ebay search for MAGNEFINE TRANSMISSION FILTER INLINE MAGNETIC

Interested in these filters, would they work in other cars?

I don't suppose its one of these from the EBAY listings? ebay search for MAGNEFINE TRANSMISSION FILTER INLINE MAGNETIC

Yep Magnefine. Exceptionally easy to install and the added protection for us 3rd Gens without external filters can't hurt. I bought this one from Repco.

http://i902.photobucket.com/albums/ac227/mrathbon/IMG00119.jpg

how much did the filter set you back?

This one was $50 from repco but someone on eBay is selling them for $43 delivered.

What are the sizes of the ins and outs on the core?? Did you purchase a "kit" or just the core by itself?

This is on my list of things to do!

What are the sizes of the ins and outs on the core?? Did you purchase a "kit" or just the core by itself?

This is on my list of things to do!

I notice they come in 3/8 or 5/16 or 1/2 inch sizes

I notice they come in 3/8 or 5/16 or 1/2 inch sizes


I take it that the smallest sized fittings would be the best? The factory lines look pretty small.....

I take it that the smallest sized fittings would be the best? The factory lines look pretty small.....

Yep 5/16 will do it.

Yep 5/16 will do it.

Yep. The Cooler Inlet and outlet and the inline filter were all 5/16 to marry up with the magna's 5/16 piping. As everyone else has said, the hardest thing is mounting the cooler. The only other thing I did to the tubing is that I loosened off the 90deg barb fitfing on the Radiator cooler and rotated it ~180 degrees. (And retighened) This way you have both barbs in the right configuration to run the hoses around the side of the radiator.

I did buy the kit but from that I left the plastic radiator ties and he aluminium barb fittings (Adaptors for cars with solid metal lines I suspect)

Looks to be a good job there

I have also used the TR/S coolers, these will bolt straight up to the rad support panel centre bar and you make a bracket for the bottom mounts. I also use the metal pipes to eliminate as much rubber hose as I can, is not a bad fit up and done properly almost looks factory

Bumping this thread up- I am curious to know how much more fluid the gearbox will need after adding a trans cooler.....? Will 1L extra be enough?

It depends on how big your new cooler is and how long the extra piping.

Looking at the tiny one I've got, I'm guessing it won't even take 500ml, but that's just a guess.
I do have to clean it out of old oil, so can easily fill it up (with warm soapy water) and then empty it into a bucket and measure the qty. Will help me, but not you unless your cooler is the same as mine.

This is still on my list of things to do before I can go to a track day.