Thread: How to: '00-'03 Grand Prix standalone transmission fluid cooler

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  1. #1 How to: '00-'03 Grand Prix standalone transmission fluid cooler 
    Solving problems BrandonHall10's Avatar
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    Here's how I added a standalone transmission cooler to my '00 Grand Prix. From what I understand, some '99s, and all '00 thru early '04's are unique in that they have an "external" check valve in the cooler feed fitting. So we are required to use this check-ball fitting in anything we do. So here's what I did based on a couple criteria:

    1.) It had to work. If it didn't keep the fluid cooler, or it leaked, it was pointless.
    2.) It had to look good. No hack job. I'm a professional.... Kinda.
    3.) No hose clamps, because... See 1 and 2.
    4.) I had to be able to revert back to stock fairly easily. I bought some extra cooler lines at the junkyard to hack up, and my original lines are sitting on a shelf.

    Here's a complete parts list;

    Hardware:
    6- 1/4"-20x3/4" Bolts
    2- 1/4"-20x1" Bolts
    5- 1/4" Flat washer
    8- 1/4"-20 Lock nut

    Support:
    1/16"x3/4"x36" Weld steel Local hardware store / Steel supply house

    Cooler:
    B&M Super Cooler # 70266 http://www.summitracing.com/parts/BMM-70266

    Lines:
    1- -6an x 3' ready made hose* http://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS-Performan...10613/10002/-1
    1- -6an x 4' ready made hose* http://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS-Performan...10614/10002/-1

    Fittings:
    1- -6an x 1/2" NPT 90° http://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS-Performan...10159/10002/-1
    1- -6an x 1/2" NPT http://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS-Performan...10119/10002/-1
    2- -6an x 3/8" NPT http://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS+Performan...10106/10002/-1
    2- 3/8" Tube (Compression) x 3/8" FIP 90° Hardware store / Plumbing supply house
    2- 3/8" NPT plugs (to plug old cooler holes in radiator)

    I chose to splice into the factory lines where I did, because I wanted to retain the factory cooler line support on the transmission. I didn't want the weight of the cooler line hanging off that quick disconnect fitting. The only thing not shown here is the pipe plugs in the radiator to block off the old cooler.

    Everything laid out. An "exploded" view:


    Here's the cooler mounted to the radiator support:






    The clearance required for the support in the left air inlet duct:




    The clearance required for the upper elbow in the air baffle:






    The clearance required for the hoses in the radiator support:




    The clearance required for the hoses in the air baffle:




    Compression fittings in a different location than shown in the layout view.
    Assembled view from top:


    Assembled view from bottom:


    Standard 3/8" NPT brass pipe plugs


    Installed


    *After getting everything assembled, I ended up with about a foot extra on each hose. Knowing what I know now, I would order a 2' and 3' ready made hose. The little difference from the custom cut length wouldn't be a problem. The lengths of the hose reflect the feed line supplying the bottom of the cooler and the return line coming from the top. This ensures no air in the cooler.
    Leftover hose


    Random pictures:
    Teardown


    Check ball "feed/supply" fitting


    3/8" Tube to -6an fitting


    Cooler hose laid out


    Cooler view looking up


    Assembled




    I won't know for sure how much of a difference this makes for a while, but I have to image it can only help out here in the southwest.
    Last edited by BrandonHall10; 05-25-2015 at 11:51 PM.
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  2. #2 Re: How to: '00-'03 Grand Prix standalone transmission fluid cooler 
    GTP Level Member chris99gtp's Avatar
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    Awesome. Just in time for me to throw one in. Thanks!
    99 gtp- Burnt and gone
    01 gtp- Here to stay-3.4, SD Headers, AL104's HAI, Overkill PCM, SD Hood
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  3. #3 Re: How to: '00-'03 Grand Prix standalone transmission fluid cooler 
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    Amazing write-up - really good photos. I know I'm in a Regal but I'm looking for something like this on mine.

    Any numbers on temps before and after?
    2000 Regal GS - Stage 2 ZZP IC, Ported LIM, 3.2" pulley, F-body brakes, 3" cat-less DP, 2.5" custom exhaust, various handling upgrades, and smaller stuff.
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  4. #4 Re: How to: '00-'03 Grand Prix standalone transmission fluid cooler 
    Solving problems BrandonHall10's Avatar
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    Thanks guys. If there's any questions, or you need a better look at anything in particular, let me know. I didn't do a ton of writing. I figured I'd let the pictures do most of the talking.

    Something else I should mention; I'm not sure what the ramifications of running a standalone cooler in a colder climate are. I live in Tucson. It rarely, if ever, gets below freezing here. I was fairly certain it wouldn't be an issue for me.

    As far as temps go... Not much yet. Only one short trip. While the engine was at 190°, the trans temp held at 150°. Before they would be pretty much identical. Maybe an extra 10° for the trans. I'll know for sure when the heat of summer hits, you know, when it's 120° in the shade!

    Last year we took a drive up the mountain, and I got stuck in a line of slow moving cars. I can't remember the exact number, but I want to say I was hitting over 250°. I'm really curious to see what it would be now.

    I'll post some numbers once I get in some stop and go, summer traffic.
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  5. #5 Re: How to: '00-'03 Grand Prix standalone transmission fluid cooler 
    SE Level Member buford1972's Avatar
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    Great write up. I have been thinking about doing this when I install my rebuilt transmission. I live in Peoria AZ and am also curious how much of a difference running only an external cooler will make. What intake are you running. Looks good!
    Comp Cams Cam. #150 springs. roller rockers. CNC heads. 3.4" pulley. P&P Gen V. 8-rib w/belt wrap. N* & LQ4. 1" phenolic spacer. P&P/coated LIM. boost temp gauge. Aeromotive fuel rails. underdrive W/P pulley. coated TOG headers. Magnaflow cat back. Random Tech DP & Cat. balance shaft delete. built trans. Hughes converter.
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  6. #6 Re: How to: '00-'03 Grand Prix standalone transmission fluid cooler 
    Solving problems BrandonHall10's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by buford1972 View Post
    What intake are you running. Looks good!
    Thanks. It's custom;
    http://www.grandprixforums.net/threa...derwell-intake
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  7. #7 Re: How to: '00-'03 Grand Prix standalone transmission fluid cooler 
    Solving problems BrandonHall10's Avatar
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    Took the wife out for lunch today. Got some pretty solid numbers for city driving.

    Ambient temp - 115°
    IAT temp - 120°
    Engine temp - 210°
    Trans temp - 185°

    These are the peak numbers I saw during my 40 minute drive with the AC running.
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  8. #8 Re: How to: '00-'03 Grand Prix standalone transmission fluid cooler 
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    Sorry the dumb question but how do the 3/8" Tube (Compression) x 3/8" FIP 90 attach to the hard line is it like a an fitting were you have the nut on the line stick part of the fiting inside the line then tight the nut down and it seals? It's just i never saw those before for hard line and not sure how they work.
    Thanks

    Did my post confuse you? BLAME AUTOCORRECT!
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  9. #9 Re: How to: '00-'03 Grand Prix standalone transmission fluid cooler 
    Solving problems BrandonHall10's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by GotMelon View Post
    is it like an AN fitting, were you have the nut on the line, stick part of the fitting inside the line, then tight the nut down and it seals?
    Basically, yes. You have the female side of the fitting, a ferrule, and a nut. Slide the hard line through the nut, and ferrule into the fitting. When you tighten the nut, it forces the ferrule to compress on the line.
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  10. #10 Re: How to: '00-'03 Grand Prix standalone transmission fluid cooler 
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    Awesome thanks

    I was going to install a cooler but I really didn't want to do it with barb fittings and rubber Hose as I was worried about it leaking.

    Did my post confuse you? BLAME AUTOCORRECT!
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  11. #11 Re: How to: '00-'03 Grand Prix standalone transmission fluid cooler 
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    Just FYI summit carries an 3/8 Compression 6an set up
    http://m.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-2200077



    This way you can have 2 less fittings

    Did my post confuse you? BLAME AUTOCORRECT!
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  12. #12 Re: How to: '00-'03 Grand Prix standalone transmission fluid cooler 
    Solving problems BrandonHall10's Avatar
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    I did see those. I wish they came in a 90°. I would have been all over them. Handy little fitting, for sure.
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  13. #13 Re: How to: '00-'03 Grand Prix standalone transmission fluid cooler 
    GrandPrix Junkie HighOctaneRacing's Avatar
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    Subbed

    Sent from my LG G3
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  14. #14 Re: How to: '00-'03 Grand Prix standalone transmission fluid cooler 
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    Ah I see well might be good for some one else.

    Did my post confuse you? BLAME AUTOCORRECT!
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  15. #15 Re: How to: '00-'03 Grand Prix standalone transmission fluid cooler 
    Schooner Tuner ADrugDealer's Avatar
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    Lol. I did mine the lazy man's way! Cut rubber parts of stock lines, splice in with standard barbed fittings, mount cooler, done.

    Sent from my VS986 using Tapatalk
    2008 G8 GT - IOM - LSA Blower, Intercooled, Ported Heads, Cam, Flex Fuel Conversion, Tuned - 550whp - 11.5 @ 124 -
    2000 Regal - Winter Beater
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  16. #16 Re: How to: '00-'03 Grand Prix standalone transmission fluid cooler 
    SE Level Member GEMINIokc's Avatar
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    So curious, what lines did you run where? Sorry i read your write up but may have missed that. I am installing one in about 6 hours and has to be done before i go to work. i do not have the AN fittings, just rubber hose and barbed fittings like Adecker. Just want to make sure i run them the correct way. Thanks for any help
    UPDATED MODS....GreenBastard HP powertune, CAI, BlueGTP91 Engine bay detail, Finished painted Dash,Hogans Performance DP, Flow Master 40's, Still Missing driver side badge 4 weight reduction.... More Mods Coming Soon!!
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  17. #17 Re: How to: '00-'03 Grand Prix standalone transmission fluid cooler 
    SE Level Member GEMINIokc's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by ADecker View Post
    Lol. I did mine the lazy man's way! Cut rubber parts of stock lines, splice in with standard barbed fittings, mount cooler, done.

    Sent from my VS986 using Tapatalk
    What lines did you run to what? thanks for any advice. Doing mine the same way for now
    UPDATED MODS....GreenBastard HP powertune, CAI, BlueGTP91 Engine bay detail, Finished painted Dash,Hogans Performance DP, Flow Master 40's, Still Missing driver side badge 4 weight reduction.... More Mods Coming Soon!!
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  18. #18 Re: How to: '00-'03 Grand Prix standalone transmission fluid cooler 
    Schooner Tuner ADrugDealer's Avatar
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    I ran the hot fluid into the cooler, then into the stock cooler then into the trans

    Sent from my VS986 using Tapatalk
    2008 G8 GT - IOM - LSA Blower, Intercooled, Ported Heads, Cam, Flex Fuel Conversion, Tuned - 550whp - 11.5 @ 124 -
    2000 Regal - Winter Beater
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  19. #19 Re: How to: '00-'03 Grand Prix standalone transmission fluid cooler 
    GrandPrix Junkie CrazyGuy03's Avatar
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    You don't have to cut any lines if you buy the propped fittings. Trying to flare the steel trans line is 50/50
    2003 Buick Regal GSX lots of mods - click here to see latest build - http://www.grandprixforums.net/threa...ld-for-the-gsx

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  20. #20 Re: How to: '00-'03 Grand Prix standalone transmission fluid cooler 
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    You don't have to flare either... There is a rubber part of the line in the middle of the lines. Cut them. Use std fittings from the hardware store. sleep well

    Sent from my VS986 using Tapatalk
    2008 G8 GT - IOM - LSA Blower, Intercooled, Ported Heads, Cam, Flex Fuel Conversion, Tuned - 550whp - 11.5 @ 124 -
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