1 Topic by mthew_m (edited by mthew_m 2020-03-05 02:28 PM)

  • From: Raleigh, NC
  • Registered: 2019-10-28
  • Posts: 93

Topic: A/C Condenser for ATF Cooling

I know that salvaging the now useless air conditioning condenser out of the car and repurposing it to be a huge-massive cooler for the automatic transmission fluid is a thing, but, I've also read cautions against the newer style condensers.  Now, it's hard for me to consider a car built in '96, that was an anachronism closing out a production run that began in '82 as 'Newer', but, I figured I'd check before I go and needlessly do something stupid. 

I figure the easiest way to check is visually, so I decided to snap some pictures of ours - the passageways look to my eye to be about 1/4".  Is that too small?  Passable for a transmission fluid cooler?  Don't want to end up adding more stress to the transmission trying to save it, it's going to have a hard enough time as it is.  Imgur is being Imgur, but, hopefully the pictures will finish saving by the time anyone reads this.

Edit: Figured it out (I think - internetting is hard)

http://i.imgur.com/sClwoGo.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/D5n34xI.jpg?1

http://i.imgur.com/Eez1xZU.jpg?1

Semi-Sentient Centenarians
1996 Buick Century - we upgraded our crappy GM sedan with parts from a crappy GM minivan.
"It's got a van motor, a 220 cubic inch plant, it's got van tires, van suspension, van shocks. It's a model with the catalytic converters ripped out so
     it'll run good on regular gas. What do you say, is it a racecar or what?" - Blues Brothers, Probably
  • From: South of Chicago
  • Registered: 2011-11-26
  • Posts: 750

Re: A/C Condenser for ATF Cooling

Most of the OEM trans coolers don't have that large of tubes anyway.
Most have tubes around 5/16, 8 MM up to 3/8, or 10MM.. Is bigger better, you bet.
Less restriction to flow and less drop in line pressure.

But as you mentions a number of teams have done this and I can't remember any of them later complaining of problems using the A/C condenser for a trans fluid cooler.

  • Mr.Yuck
  • Mr.Yuck
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  • From: Brookeville, Md.
  • Registered: 2013-12-09
  • Posts: 1,012

Re: A/C Condenser for ATF Cooling

Before we went to a 5 speed we used one. worked great, keep in mind how much extra fluid you will need to use.

"get up and get your grandma outta here"