I am using one very similar to the blue one you have and it seems more surface area will cool better ,
and make sure you leave a space/gap between the radiator or you will be pulling hot air from the cooler in to the radiator
I placed mine in the valence area 3 years ago not in front of the radiator and I drove it yesterday in 35c temps for 50 miles and I only have to run the fan in heavy traffic ,
OTHERWISE THE COOLER WORKS AT HIWAY SPEED with out the fans , REALLY WELL
Those stacked plate designs are so efficient you will probably find a very small one will cool enough anyway. I fitted a small one to my trans and it never got above 160F in normal use.
The gap you need between the cooler and radiator is more to do with airflow. If the cooler is too close the fins can line up with the radiator cooling fins and block airflow. So a half inch gap is needed to allow the air to swerve around the fins and airflow through both increases.
The ideal operating temperature for transmission fluid is between 175 and 225 degrees Fahrenheit.
Ford fit a thermostat to some of their transmissions to maintain them at 80C (176F) "to maintain detergent wash properties and satisfactory servo piston/clutch pack operation".
From memory I think my Corvette trans operates between 180F - 190F. I will check next time I am out in it. There is a fair bit of heat at the back of the Vette due to the exhaust design. And that is where the trans is on a C5 Vette.
I seem to remember Guy having Trans issues on his 'Cuda and running hot - I think he found that the cooler was so big the fluid took the path of least resistance and circulated without dissipating any of its heat............
any of those little oil coolers with do the job, more impotant is where they are positioned
Most automatic cars dont even have an oil cooler like the ones will has posted, often it is just a u shaped pipe
most oil's are ok up to about 120 degrees cel in most gearbox's & axles
Think automotive have a massive range of coolers
Also good long suppy lines help as well.
I will never forget Rob Tyrell's (Rocka) car blowing off rubber hoses at the top end and coating his slicks with trans fluid at 100mph.........that got his attention......
pete heres the 2 coolers on my falcon, the gearbox one is just to the left of the left bit of wood & is lying @ an angle not far from flat & the diff one is mounted to the left of the propshaft loop, both work quite well. Just thought Id share this with you for your race car build, dont know if its any help
I seem to remember Guy having Trans issues on his 'Cuda and running hot - I think he found that the cooler was so big the fluid took the path of least resistance and circulated without dissipating any of its heat............
Yes I had a issue with the Cuda when I put a big trans coolerin it with -6 lines. It was fine at low speeds/RPM going around town or stuck in traffic but when I got the RPM up the temp would quickly rise to the unacceptable 230 but would come down again slowly when I slowed down. I tried lagging the lines near the headers but that didn't make much difference the big change happened when I put a small restriction in the return line allowing the trans fluid to slow down in the cooler the temp never went above 185 after that.
