[Vince@ V K Motorwerks]

Hello ladies and gentlemen,

As some of you may be aware we have been working on a transmission cooler. (among many other things) I have been receiving many emails and PM’s regarding the status of the transmission cooler. So I decided to create this thread to answer any questions that you may have. A few of the common questions I receive are:

What is a transmission cooler?

A transmission cooler is a small auxiliary radiator that cools your transmission fluid.

Is a transmission cooler necessary?

It is a well known fact that our cars run on the hot side. The number 1 reason for automatic transmission failure is over heated transmission fluid. Transmission fluid cools, lubricates, and cleans the transmission and its components. When transmission fluid is heated beyond 200F it starts to loose its viscosity and consequently its ability to lubricate and cool. This causes seals to crack and leaks to begin occurring. If your automatic transmission car is tuned you definitely need a transmission cooler. Think about the awesome power your making with your tune, dps, exhaust, and what ever other mods you have and then think of how much heat that is generating.

I have never heard of any 335i having transmission failure, so the stock transmission cooler should be working fine right?

Just because its not publicized doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen. Granted people have close to 400whp/tq and have been driving around for some time and transmissions are not just dropping left and right. But please keep in mind most cars are new and many with less then 30K miles on the car.

How far are you with the development of your transmission cooler?

Well we are done with our prototype. It will sit on the driver side (passenger side for European/Asian cars) wheel well. Our system will isolate the stock transmission cooler from the radiator and run the OEM transmission cooler with our plate and fin transmission cooler.

Do you have any pictures?

Yes and no. Our prototype was done like all prototypes in the most crude fashion therefore, we don’t want to post pictures of it. The design is however identical to our oil cooler and mounts in a similar fashion.


What is the estimated cost and release time frame?

The cost is estimated at $595 and the time frame is 6 weeks because we have to now fabricate and machine the various components for this system.

This transmission cooler is going to bypass the radiator which will also help keep your water temps cooler and when combined with the V K Motorwerks OC and FMIC will keep your car running its coolest.

Thank you for taking the time to read this tread.

-Vince

[FotiosF90M5]

not a bad price for a great upgrade to have. Will the install be difficult?

[Vince@ V K Motorwerks]

Originally Posted by fotios330i

not a bad price for a great upgrade to have. Will the install be difficult?

I will not recommend a DIY. This will be a direct bolt on but I think its better if you let a shop deal with it.

[mayno]

from my understanding, tranny coolers are only for heavy-duty use: heavy towing and heavy track use (not 1/4 mile) but actual lengthy races (over 15-20 mins of very spirited driving)...multiple sessions a day.

[Vince@ V K Motorwerks]

Originally Posted by mayno

from my understanding, tranny coolers are only for heavy-duty use: heavy towing and heavy track use (not 1/4 mile) but actual lengthy races (over 15-20 mins of very spirited driving)...multiple sessions a day.

In most cars and trucks a transmission cooler is only needed when you are towing. However, in our FI, high hp cars auto transmissions get very hot. When you are street race, do burn outs, track your car, or do spirted driving your transmission fluid will get hot. Not to mention your water temps.

[sambonator]

Finally a solution for us Steptronickers!

[Hunter399]

Very interested

[XxLancaxX]

Sweet, I'm in!

[Panoz]

Transmission Cooler??? What the heck?? We're still waiting for the FMIC and you announce this ????

[Vince@ V K Motorwerks]

Originally Posted by Panoz

Transmission Cooler??? What the heck?? We're still waiting for the FMIC and you announce this ????

That is being manufactured as we speak. Casting the end tanks is outsourced so that will take about 4-6 weeks and then we have to weld the whole thing together with the core. Dont worry, it will be out very shortly.

[sambonator]

Question: Have you done any instrumented testing of transmission fluid temps, comparing stock unit's ability to keep tranny fluid cool vs. your cooler?

For sure this eliminates load on the engine coolant, but creates another worry about tranny fluid being kept cool.

Thanks in advance!

[sd390r]

i got 6mt but if i had AT id be all over it

[Vince@ V K Motorwerks]

Originally Posted by sambonator

Question: Have you done any instrumented testing of transmission fluid temps, comparing stock unit's ability to keep tranny fluid cool vs. your cooler?

For sure this eliminates load on the engine coolant, but creates another worry about tranny fluid being kept cool.

Thanks in advance!

Thats true, Tranny fluid needs to be within a certain range to be optimal. We are doing testing as we speak. If we need to we can install thermostat controlled valve that will keep the oil from going to the TC if temps are not warm enough. We still have more testing. This set up is on my car and havent had any issues. My car is haveing the turbos being mounted with the new manifold and we will not be able to test for about 3 weeks since we are going to be fabricating flanges, downpipes, exhaust, plumping and IC connections. Final data will be provided once the TC is ready to ship.

Vince

[vbmw335]

Great product. Where will it be mounted?

[Vince@ V K Motorwerks]

Originally Posted by vbmw335

Great product. Where will it be mounted?

On the left side front wheel well. (Driver side on US cars)

[BuLoOoSki]

looks very interesting. ill need to see the testing results though to see if they actually are necessary. But looks like a promising product from Vince just as usual

[sambonator]

Originally Posted by BuLoOoSki

looks very interesting. ill need to see the testing results though to see if they actually are necessary. But looks like a promising product from Vince just as usual

They definitely are needed if you're going to be tracking the car or going WOT or running at high RPMs for extended periods. I now have 1st hand experience with water temp related limp mode... actually it goes into a "low boost" mode before the engine light comes on from water temp being too high.

[Vince@ V K Motorwerks]

Originally Posted by sambonator

They definitely are needed if you're going to be tracking the car or going WOT or running at high RPMs for extended periods. I now have 1st hand experience with water temp related limp mode... actually it goes into a "low boost" mode before the engine light comes on from water temp being too high.

Exactly why we didnt route the TC through the radiator and completely by passed the whole thing. I experienced the same thing at gingerman. Im looking forward to reporting the water temps since I know they will be much better.

[XxLancaxX]

Im wondering if that is why I was getting limp modes on the way back from the track. My oil temps were fine but I kept getting limp modes all the way home. The next day my car was fine. Could this be the reason?

[midlife]

Originally Posted by Vince@ V K Motorwerks

Thats true, Tranny fluid needs to be within a certain range to be optimal. We are doing testing as we speak. If we need to we can install thermostat controlled valve that will keep the oil from going to the TC if temps are not warm enough. We still have more testing. This set up is on my car and havent had any issues. My car is haveing the turbos being mounted with the new manifold and we will not be able to test for about 3 weeks since we are going to be fabricating flanges, downpipes, exhaust, plumping and IC connections. Final data will be provided once the TC is ready to ship.

Vince

1/ vince, i have a european spec car and i just ordered your OC upgrade (it is not here yet). your OC upgrade will go where my stock OC is: the passenger side wheel well. so i do not know why u state that european car TC will mount on passenger side.

please clarify, cause i am interested in the TC.

2/ did i read corrrectly that you are putting LARGER turbos in? or are u just replacing the stock turbos??

thanks

[Vince@ V K Motorwerks]

Originally Posted by midlife

1/ vince, i have a european spec car and i just ordered your OC upgrade (it is not here yet). your OC upgrade will go where my stock OC is: the passenger side wheel well. so i do not know why u state that european car TC will mount on passenger side.

please clarify, cause i am interested in the TC.

2/ did i read corrrectly that you are putting LARGER turbos in? or are u just replacing the stock turbos??

thanks

1) sorry the other wheel well that is not being used by the OC.
2)

[sambonator]

Originally Posted by Vince@ V K Motorwerks

Thats true, Tranny fluid needs to be within a certain range to be optimal. We are doing testing as we speak. If we need to we can install thermostat controlled valve that will keep the oil from going to the TC if temps are not warm enough. ...

You might want to just tap into the stock tranny cooler system and enhance it... have the tranny fluid go through your air/oil cooler first, before it goes to the radiator. This should prevent excessive cooling as the radiator will warm up the transmission fluid if the cooler makes the fluid too cold. It may eliminate your need for a thermostat as well, and reduce substantially the load on the radiator.

...and if your cooler can drop tranny fluid temp to below the radiator water temp, it may even enhance the stock radiator by allowing heat to be dumped into the tranny fluid.