Transmission housing/console heating up? Kilbys??

[johnnyapollo]

Don't we already have a tranny cooler? Or is this for something heavier? I know there's lines going towards the front (if you ever get a tranny flush they use those to recirc the fluid).

-- John

[Y33TREKker]

Are we sure it's the transmissions creating all the heat at the transmission tunnel and not the proximity of the catalytic converters?

[VX1032]

VXKAT the heat up is pretty normal I believe. I know I have had the same issue with drinks in the "cupholder" before. Specifically on my 8 hour drive from Pittsburgh to Uwharrie last fall.

[Triathlete]

Are we sure it's the transmissions creating all the heat at the transmission tunnel and not the proximity of the catalytic converters?

This is a big possibility also. The cats get very hot when functioning normally!

[Y33TREKker]

This is a big possibility also. The cats get very hot when functioning normally!

They actually HAVE to be hot to function normally. If a warm trans tunnel becomes too much of a worry for some, another option would be to wrap the converters with high-temp exhaust wrap. It will lower the temps underneath the trans tunnel, and on the drivers' side, have the added benefit of lowering the operational environment near the trans-selector switch which has proven to be another issue with VX's.

Incidentally, transmissions also require the trans fluid to run at high temps to operate correctly. The main reason trans coolers are suggested is when a particular vehicle is going to be used for towing. In those instances, the trans fluid will be heated too much, and an external/aftermarket trans cooler reduces temps back down to normal. A trans cooler installed and run under normal driving conditions won't necessarily hurt anything, but it will cause the trans fluid to take longer to get up to normal operating temps (especially in colder weather), so trans shifting tendencies will be affected until adequate temps are reached.

[Riff Raff]

Wow, this is an excellent thread with lots of idea's and possible solution's. Great stuff!!!

One transmission cooling idea I had was maybe running some sort of ram-air/air-duct system underneath the VX that would channel frontal cold-air to blow alongside the transmission housing itself to help dissipate heat. Much like how NASCAR uses a ram-air ducting system to blow cold air on their brake's. I think something simular could be custom rigged to blow cold air alongside the transmission housing and the air ducting could even be routed directly "above" the KILBY's skidplate level.

The ram-air cooling effect would not be as radical as a dedicated in-line transmission cooler; and would only be operational at sustained forward speed, thereby keeping the temperature of the trans fluid within normal operating range. Just a thought.

[Y33TREKker]

The ram-air cooling effect would not be as radical as a dedicated in-line transmission cooler; and would only be operational at sustained forward speed, thereby keeping the temperature of the trans fluid within normal operating range. Just a thought.

I don't know man, while I still question whether the trans is even the problem in the first place, I'm thinking that installing an external trans-cooler would be a lot less radically challenging as far as installations go than I imagine the entire process of designing, constructing, and installing a ducting mechanism for the undercarriage of a VX would be.

I've installed external trans-coolers before (even have one on my car right now that I installed years ago), so I'm aware of how relatively easy those installations are. What you are proposing is a whole other ball of wax.