Hey guys,
Im about to install a B&M Transmission Cooler on my 2001 5.3l Z-71 w/ the 4L60e trans. I was just wondering if anybody had any tips or tricks, and hopefully some pics?
Thanks

 

ttt..

 

I don't have the B&M, but the installation is basically the same. For my Permacool, I removed the upper trans cooler line in the radiator, installed a fitting into the radiator, mounted the cooler in front of the a/c condenser (utilizing the cross-bars), then ran one hose from the trans line I removed to the cooler, and the other from the cooler back to the fitting in the radiator. It's really straight-forward.

Alot of guys here have the B&M, I'm sure someone will chime in with some pics for ya. Here's a shot of my PermaCool:

 

If you got the tow pac. it will already have the trans cooler lines and mounts here are a few pics of mine.


OEM



B&M

 

Wilde, any temp drops with that over the factory? I have the factory tranny cooler and wonder if it is worth the $ to upgrade.

 

I don't know, I just got my new gauge cluster w/trans temp. and I installed the cooler the same time I installed my POS Art Carr stall, I see temps around 200 all the time, I'll be recalibrating the dummy gauge with HP because I think it maybe off alittle.

 

Sweet, I do have the factory tranny cooler. Should be relativly simple then. Thanks for the pics!!!

 

what brand cooler is in the second pic, it looks more HD than the first one, is that a direct plug into the factory lines/fittings or do you need to cut something or use an adapter.. I never thought of how small the OEM cooler was....

 

BMM-70273 I believe, All I did was notch out the factory braket so the new cooler fittings would clear, then cut the top brackets off the old cooler and drill new mounting holes.
I think the adapter needed was a 1/2 to 3/8 pipe. And you don't need to cut the factory lines.

 

I think that the B&M cooler is rated at 24,000 GVW, whereas my PermCool is rated at 17,000 GVW. Different design also...the B&M's are "stacked plate" design, and mine is a traditional tube and fin design. Both designs have their pro's and cons...the B&M's are definitely tougher and won't bend (solid plates as opposed to fins), but the tube and fin design doesn't block as much air across it. The B&M one is also supposed to have some sort of check/bypass for cold operation (or something like that?), and is designed to not cause a drop in line pressure.