Is it worth upgrading the tranmission cooler

[dmdigital]

In a few months we will be putting a Kimberley Kamper behind the Disco
for several thousand km's (just to get home). I'm going through all
the things I need to do - upgrade suspension, long range tank, etc -
and the thought occurred to me should I look at a larger transmission
cooler?

I have a TRS upgraded ECU in my 03MY Td5. I'm also looking at removing
the EGR and maybe a bigger intercooler.

So are larger transmission coolers available? Is it worth it? What have
others done?

[feral]

I would say there is no room for a larger auto cooler. I have just changed my radiator on my D2 and there is very little space for the auto cooler to move as it sits underneath the radiator. It's tight :p

But you could possibly look at an additional cooler but where to put it is another question ;)

[dmdigital]

I was wondering if that might be the case, my thoughts were if you can fit a bigger intercooler, maybe you can also fit a bigger transmission cooler.

[feral]

That is true.

If you want to have a quick look just remove the battery, jack and ECU and the box that holds it all and you can easily see how much room you have.

To remove all that would take you about 20 minutes.

[feral]

I would say there is no room for a larger auto cooler. I have just changed my radiator on my D2 and there is very little space for the auto cooler to move as it sits underneath the radiator. It's tight :p

But you could possibly look at an additional cooler but where to put it is another question ;)

:oops2: The auto cooler sits underneath the intercooler.

But the auto cooler is about the same thickness as the end tanks of the intercooler, not the core. There is also a sensor which comes off the drivers side of the cooler so that has to be considered as well.

[dmdigital]

This is definitely sounding like a silly idea. Think I'll skip it. Might upgrade the intercooler still.

[feral]

Yep. Wanted to do that too, but thought the $1000 was too big just for an extra 20 kw.

I thought I would put it to a chip instead.

It's a bigger bang for your bucks :D:D

[dmdigital]

When I had the ECU upgraded they told me that the intercooler was usually only considered if you still wanted a bit more power. I think I'll see what it will cost and how easy it is to install before proceeding.

[feral]

Just a quick one about your chip.

I am going to use the TRS Ecu as my D2 is a 1999. How do you find it? Have you had any issues with it?

I have heard of a few problems with the BD chip and the TRS is most likely the one I will go for.

[Slunnie]

You can definately get more ATF cooling into a D2. Its an additional cooler, not a bigger cooler although I have been hearing something about people fitting the ATF cooler that goes into the 4.6V8's. If you want more ATF cooling, then the additional cooler sits behind the grill.

I've had my Auto overheat a couple of times and the damage is continuing to show itself even now, about 2 years down the track as everything continues to snowball. With a chip and especially if you fit an intercooler upgrade, then it will become more important. Also, keep your ATF reasonably fresh.

[Chilly]

Hi,

Not sure how good this information is.

When I was in the UK I inquired about having a chip and intercooler upgrade added to my TD5. The chap was an agent for a top chipper in the UK. I think Jeremy somebody...the name will come to me later....He said not to chip and upgrade the intercooler as it blows the autobox up, (after a while).

Dont know if that is the case. Just thought i would mention it in case.

[dmdigital]

Just a quick one about your chip.

I am going to use the TRS Ecu as my D2 is a 1999. How do you find it? Have you had any issues with it?

I have heard of a few problems with the BD chip and the TRS is most likely the one I will go for.
Very pleased and no problems. Lots more power and torque when its needed. TC doesn't come on as often.


You can definately get more ATF cooling into a D2. Its an additional cooler, not a bigger cooler although I have been hearing something about people fitting the ATF cooler that goes into the 4.6V8's. If you want more ATF cooling, then the additional cooler sits behind the grill.

I've had my Auto overheat a couple of times and the damage is continuing to show itself even now, about 2 years down the track as everything continues to snowball. With a chip and especially if you fit an intercooler upgrade, then it will become more important. Also, keep your ATF reasonably fresh.

Thanks slunnie, I suppose the other thing would be to fit a temperature gauge to the sensor and not rely on the BCU to tell me when it's cooked. Sounds like a reasonably complex plumbing job to squeeze the second unit in.


The chap was an agent for a top chipper in the UK. I think Jeremy somebody...the name will come to me later....
Jeremy J Fearn - Jeremy J Fearn Intercoolers, motor engineers and 4X4 specialists (http://www.jeremyjfearn.co.uk/)

[justinc]

Hi Derek,
I have upgraded heaps of D1's to the P38a coolers, but haven't yet done a D2. I agree with Slunnie, change the fluid often, and keep the mud out of the cooler core.( I remember that is what overheated Slunnies box in the first place? )It is in a stupid position, low down under the intercooler directly in the path of sloppy clay mud hole activities:mad:
I believe that cooler kept clean, and always towing in 3rd lockup, will keep the auto alive and cooler a lot longer, even with a chip etc.

A gauge is a good idea too


JC

[dmdigital]

Sounds like the best solution and given its relatively simple to drain and fill the transmission sump I think I'll just keep doing that.

[justinc]

Derek,

Don't forget to change the filter regularly too. Easy in a D2, just have to push the CAT off to the left a bit to remove the pan.
British 4x4 sells the filter kits for them at a good price I think.
While the pan is off, you can braze a fitting for a temp sender in it...:cool:


JC

[Slunnie]

DM TD5, there is heaps of room behind the grill to fit an additional cooler. Plumb them in series with the factory cooler. the plumbing isn't complex at all, just break the factory flex line and use high pressure fittings to a high pressure cooler.

JC, absolutely I think the initial overheats were caused by a mud encrusted ATF cooler - they are near impossible to clear or inspect, and I think the damage has just continued to snowball and show itself. Here is what the cooler looked like when it came out.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2008/03/257.jpg

[Yorkshire_Jon]

I cant really comment on the need to add more ATF cooling - we dont tend to get that much need for it over here!! However, cooling surface area seems to be the focus of attention, but dont forget the extra oil volume needs to be pumped around the system to make the whole thing work. More oil = more work for the pump. I dont know how much spare reseve the standard oil pump has.

My only other thought on this would be to relocate the original cooler a bit higher and keep it clean so the air can pass through it.



I can comment with more certainty on the side issue of tuning and intercoolers!

If you have had your ecu remapped (not a plug in chip/box that piggy backs the ecu) and not bought an uprated intercooler then (based on operting in the UK) you can only get a maximum of about +20% additional torque before your engine temps begin to climb upto the LR specified engine design limits.

If you want to get to the +40% torque territory and keep reliability and engine longevity you must use an uprated intecooler to keep the temps down.

As I say, this is all based on research done in the UK with our ECU remaps. Relating that to your climates and the generally higher temperatures you guys incur I would suspect that you really ought to be using uprated coolers all the time.

[dmdigital]

Thanks Jon, can you also give me any idea of the change removing the EGR does to an 03MY Td5 temperatures :confused:

Bigger intercooler is definitely on the cards.

You're going to love it down (up) here in the Northern Territory. My Disco's never driven through traffic lights, never been driven in temperatures below 18C (though we did get a night 2 years back where the mercury dropped to 13C :eek: ) and is regularly driving around in temps in the mid 30's.

[Yorkshire_Jon]

Thanks Jon, can you also give me any idea of the change removing the EGR does to an 03MY Td5 temperatures :confused:

Bigger intercooler is definitely on the cards.

You're going to love it down (up) here in the Northern Territory. My Disco's never driven through traffic lights, never been driven in temperatures below 18C (though we did get a night 2 years back where the mercury dropped to 13C :eek: ) and is regularly driving around in temps in the mid 30's.


With 2 inches of snow outside this is just about all I can take! I see traffic lights everyday and frequently see the 0 degree C mark... Grrrrr. Roll on November!!!

A word of advice with larger intercoolers - make sure you get a dedicated uprated TD5 one, dont simply throw one on from something in the scrap yard just because it fits (some do in the UK) - this has an adverse effect as it increases lag and reduces efficiency.

As for EGR removal... Nowadays I only ever remove them if I suspect they have failed / failing because they dont really contribute to performance or anything, leaving them on though does improve things when the engine is cold...

Again, relating above to Aussie temps, the cold engine isnt something you need to be concerned about!! The gains therefore are to keep those spent gasses in the exhaust and not divert them back into the manifold. Granted there are times when the EGR valve is closed, but Id be tempted to remove it anyway.

One thing to be aware of - over here there are two EGR kits available. One is simply a plate that bolts onto the front of the exhaust manifold. The other one (the proper one) is the same plate, a replacement inlet manifold to intercooler pipe and importantly, a vacuum pipe cap end.

When removing the EGR make sure that the vacuum pipe end (that is pulled off the EGR unit) is capped off and sealed, otherwise it will produce errors in the ECU.


In short then, to reduce temps to the max, remove EGR and cap vacuum pipe.

[dmdigital]

Thanks again, I knew there was a few kits and I've seen some selling just the plate (which I believe is for Tdi) as being for a Td5. I've got to pull the sound cover off mine and check the EGR setup as I think the 03MY has the twin vacuum solenoids and also the cooling manifold on the EGR line.