At what point do I need a bigger cooler?

[CoxAbele]

I have a 98 Spyder swapped from 5-speed FWD to Auto AWD. My donor car has the factory cooler on the driver's side. I do not plan to route the fluid lines through the radiator like the early models. I know keeping the temps down is important, but this is a street car that won't get beat on very often.

The setup:
AWD auto
Stock converter
TCU controlled
20g turbo w/ supporting mods making ~325hp/~320ft/lbs on a mustang dyno.

Will the stock cooler be enough? Money is tight on as the build rounds itself out. While I'd like to get a cooler, I don't know if it is absolutly necessary at the fairly low power level I'm at.

[bettfootball]

I'd say get a cooler. A B&M super cooler universal trans cooler can be had for cheap and heat is the biggest enemy to an auto trans.

[Sean485]

If I ran an AT DSM a cooler is the first mod I would do, even when the vehicle is stock cooler fluid is good and IMO the stock cooler is pretty small. Start throwing more power at it and the fluid is going to get hot in a hurry.

[CrackedDSM]

Originally Posted by Sean485

If I ran an AT DSM a cooler is the first mod I would do, even when the vehicle is stock cooler fluid is good and IMO the stock cooler is pretty small. Start throwing more power at it and the fluid is going to get hot in a hurry.

This. Even if it's perfectly stock and never going to be modded, throw in an aftermarket stacked plate style cooler, not bar and fin style. Heat is the #1 killer for DSM Autos. Period.

[Rockemum]

Over on ATDSM it usually suggested as the first mod. NEED isn't the word. Believe me, once I get all four gears back, I'll be adding a second cooler. (In my dd talon)

[CrackedDSM]

If you have any doubt about the stock oil cooler, hook up a trans temp gauge and just keep an eye on just how hot your trans temps get on around town driving.

[98noobie]

Imo, i don't think you really have to go external on the oil cooler, but since you have the external oil cooler mine as well use it.

[Sean485]

He is refering to the trans cooler, not the engine oil cooler.

[SLEEPS]

Not in the Auto trans Tech section, how dare he.

To answer your question: Now. Now is the point to replace it. Heat is the #1 killer of all auto transmitions. So you have that going at least.