6ph21 ATF Cooler Front Grill Install Pics

[matreyia]

Here by request of doublespace, are some pics of my ATF install with a Setrab 16 row series 6 ATF oil cooler. I chose to install it in the center grill location in front of the AC condensor, which is in front of the radiator, which is in front of the fan.

I cut extra openings to assist in guiding air flow into the cooler and radiator area in general. I believe that this location will receive more air flow than if it were installed in the driver wheel well area. In my case, the driver side wheel well area behind the fog light was not an option, since my Dinan Carbon Fiber Cold Air Intake snorkel and auxilary air filter currently occupies that location.

Feel free to ask anything if you have question. Be advised, I did not write down any notes on number of nuts, bolts, screws, sizes, bracket types, connectors...so I won't be able to give you a refined list of parts for you to reproduce this setup. Be that as it may, at least you know that front grill install is quite possible and not too complicated.

The install will be complete by Tuesday May 30th, 2017 due to having to wait for the ATF cooler 8AN adapter fittings for Omar at Vadersolutions.

The choice of using the Setrab 16 Row Series 6 Oil Cooler was based on Jason's recommendation at Propulsive Dynamics.

 

[doublespaces]

The 16 row series six is usually for the wheel well mounted coolers. If you put it in front, you could probably get away with as big as will fit. Looks nice!

 

[Derek@MoorePerformance]

Awesome post man, how long did it take to install and what all issues did you run into or difficulties?

 

[matreyia]

Awesome post man, how long did it take to install and what all issues did you run into or difficulties?

It took several weeks because of collecting parts and waiting for delivery. Actual labor probably a day and a half. A lot of the time was spent testing fitting and how to secure the unit without vibration or movement, rubbing against other things.
The unit has plent of breathing space in front as well as behind. All those cutouts ensure air flow to otherwise blocked sections of the unit, such as the lower regions.

8AN fitting ends were easy to make with dremel to cut steel hoses, a little glycerin gel and two vice grips to turn and tighten the connector nuts.

The old rubber covering was used as a test pattern so I could test cut holes to snake the hoses through neatly. Then I got a new rubber covering and cut the holes again, cleaner this time. The test rubber covering looked like it had scars from war from dremel heat melting the cut lines. I used an exacto knife to cut the new replacement rubber covering.

I used a 165º Improved Racing® Thermostat.
I have six 90º 8AN connectors sitting in a bin that I never even needed. Damn...what a waste.
While I was working on this, I also:

1. replaced all pulleys and the belt
2. replaced waterpump, thermostat, and all hoses
3. replaced oil filter housing gaskets
4. replaced oil filter, oil, coolant

this car will literally be brand new mechanically with new M3 suspension, bushings, transmission, engine, turbos, inlet, outlets, both map sensors, the only thing original is the POS open diff.

 

[Derek@MoorePerformance]

It took several weeks because of collecting parts and waiting for delivery. Actual labor probably a day and a half. A lot of the time was spent testing fitting and how to secure the unit without vibration or movement, rubbing against other things.
The unit has plent of breathing space in front as well as behind. All those cutouts ensure air flow to otherwise blocked sections of the unit, such as the lower regions.

8AN fitting ends were easy to make with dremel to cut steel hoses, a little glycerin gel and two vice grips to turn and tighten the connector nuts.

The old rubber covering was used as a test pattern so I could test cut holes to snake the hoses through neatly. Then I got a new rubber covering and cut the holes again, cleaner this time. The test rubber covering looked like it had scars from war from dremel heat melting the cut lines. I used an exacto knife to cut the new replacement rubber covering.

I used a 165º Improved Racing® Thermostat.
I have six 90º 8AN connectors sitting in a bin that I never even needed. Damn...what a waste.
While I was working on this, I also:

1. replaced all pulleys and the belt
2. replaced waterpump, thermostat, and all hoses
3. replaced oil filter housing gaskets
4. replaced oil filter, oil, coolant

this car will literally be brand new mechanically with new M3 suspension, bushings, transmission, engine, turbos, inlet, outlets, both map sensors, the only thing original is the POS open diff.

That's awesome, I plan to refresh my suspension/bushing/etc soon.

 

[doublespaces]

I have wasted a good bit of money on my transmission lines/fittings as well as my wastegate AN lines/fittings. I've got a grand or two in wasted money on my build so far, simply from trying/experimenting on stuff. If I was a refund nazi then I could recover some of that. Once I get my coilovers and LSD installed, perhaps I'll lay out all my parts and find my receipts and put all my stuff for sale and return what I can.

 

[rebo0t]

Looks good

 

[matreyia]

Omar's reproduction of Jason's ATF Oil Cooler fittings appear to fit well. I will have to wait until the new tranny is fitted to test leaks. For now all seems good.

 

[Jsherry20]

The way that cooler is mounted looks pretty freaking cool

 

[JAperformance]

That's nice, that's almost exactly as I mounted mine. I have the exact same cooler and tstat as Per @Jason@Propulsive-Dynamics for my PD transmission. Nice work! How are your temps now?

 

[matreyia]

View attachment 3992 View attachment 3992 View attachment 3992 That's nice, that's almost exactly as I mounted mine. I have the exact same cooler and tstat as Per @Jason@Propulsive-Dynamics for my PD transmission. Nice work! How are your temps now?

I won't know until I install the new PD tranny.

 

[JAperformance]

You'll love it my temps with the 165 tstat are around 170, highest I've seen its 180 when pushing it hard, but once you stop and if the fan it's on they go down to around 168 quick. It's really humid and hot here in Florida

 

[matreyia]

Dude...that is AWESOME to hear. I look forward to having hundreds of thousands of miles on this car. She will be my main drive for at least a decade. I keep her in FACTORY DEALER condition mechanically, cosmetically. I will have newer cars for fun, but this shall be my "The One"...she will only get better as I continually maintain and upgrade her over the years.

Almost everything has been replaced from engine to now tranny...interiors...you name it. It's basically better than when I bought it.

 

[TwinTurboWAWD]

The choice of using the Setrab 16 Row Series 6 Oil Cooler was based on Jason's recommendation

Do you think you can get two of those coolers in there side by side??

 

[matreyia]

Do you think you can get two of those coolers in there side by side??

No. Don't waste your time with this setup. I had to reroute the set up to be away from the grill and into the left foglight area because there was way more air flow there. This setup will get you temperatures over 220ºF and that is not good for transmission fluid.

The fog light set up will get your temps up to 180-200º f.
And if you add a fan to that, then you can maintain 180-190ºf...perfect for transmission fluid.

 

[TwinTurboWAWD]

No. Don't waste your time with this setup. I had to reroute the set up to be away from the grill and into the left foglight area because there was way more air flow there. This setup will get you temperatures over 220ºF and that is not good for transmission fluid.

The fog light set up will get your temps up to 180-200º f.
And if you add a fan to that, then you can maintain 180-190ºf...perfect for transmission fluid.

Well crap

 

[doublespaces]

The foglight setup is not ideal without a fan IMO. You lose brake ducts in the process typically.

 

[TwinTurboWAWD]

I'm thinking about running two setrabs in the grill. Directly in the open. I am one of the unlucky ones that did not get the engine oil cooler... So im going to try to fit them.... I'll install fans if I have too. I believe they will fit.
I have a friend who installed a cheap single pass threw in front and he never sees over 190 on trans temp and he's putting out 550 to the rear wheels.