Manual transmission cooler ??

Red_88GT4

New member
I just purchased a 1988 ST165 all trac. The previous owner did a engine swap and installed a 3SGTE engine from a ST185. I have never owned a celica until now. I noticed that it has transmission cooler lines coming off the 5 speed manual transmission, I have never seen a manual transmission cooler in my entire life.

What type of transmission cooler do I use for this project ?? I would like to mount the trans cooler down in between the fog lights in the front spoiler.
 

Red_88GT4

New member
If I use a cooler from a automatic transmission, will the heavier gear oil flow through the cooler as good as ATF ?
 

brutekiller787

New member
obviously it won't flow like atf no matter what because automatic trans' have to have fluid pressure to do things, like apply bands and clutches and move through the valve body. gear oil just basically sits at the bottom of the trans case, being picked up by the gears as they move.

IMO, if your manual trans needs cooling that bad, there is another problem somewhere else.
 

alltracman78

Active member
The E series transmissions have an internal pump.
That pumps the fluid through tubes to the gears.
And through the tube to the oil cooler, if it has one.
Or through the loop if it doesn't.

Nothing wrong with adding an oil cooler, it will extend the life of the oil.
 

brutekiller787

New member
Interesting. I just can't imagine that the fluid could get hot enough for something to go wrong. I mean worst comes to worst the gear oil would be slightly thinner at higher temperatures, causing less work to be done by the pump and the gears to move it around? Am I wrong?

Where is the highest heat generating source in a manual trans? Haven't had that class yet
 

phattyduck

New member
brutekiller787":6aghjerz said:
Interesting. I just can't imagine that the fluid could get hot enough for something to go wrong. I mean worst comes to worst the gear oil would be slightly thinner at higher temperatures, causing less work to be done by the pump and the gears to move it around? Am I wrong?

Where is the highest heat generating source in a manual trans? Haven't had that class yet
The cooler runs between the oil pump and the oil jets for the synchros. Its not so much to cool the gear oil as the synchros. That said, a hard working manual transmission with hypoid gears (like transfer case) does get hot and can use a cooler. The smallest trans cooler you can get should be sufficient though, no need to go overboard. I currently run my transmission with just the cooling loop (motor swap into different chassis), but may change back to stock-style someday.

-Charlie
 
Wilhelm Raceworks makes a kit for our transmissions here:
https://wilhelmraceworks.com/transmission-cooler
Here is a video of it being installed in an MR2:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhycP-DK980
ST165 has an E50F Transmission and this kit fits both E50F and E153.
It's a very tight fit with the Intercooler pump and the Clutch line. But, I have it installed in my ST165, and it's AWESOME!
Had to modify the transmission cooling duct a little bit, and air flows right over it.
Kind of pricey, but very high quality kit! Worth it IMO.

Edit:
You will need this adapter for ST165 instead of the one that comes in the kit:
https://www.holley.com/products/plu...on_adapters/inverted_flare/parts/AT991946LERL
It's strange, but the threads for the tube coming out of the transmission are 1/2-20 not Metric.
(1/2"-20 Inverted Flare Male w/ Long Thread to AN -6 Male Adapter Fitting - Black Anodized Aluminum)
 

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Tippo

Well-known member
mickeyfinn":dl79rc5g said:
Wilhelm Raceworks makes a kit for our transmissions here:
https://wilhelmraceworks.com/transmission-cooler
Here is a video of it being installed in an MR2:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhycP-DK980
ST165 has an E50F Transmission and this kit fits both E50F and E153.
It's a very tight fit with the Intercooler pump and the Clutch line. But, I have it installed in my ST165, and it's AWESOME!
Had to modify the transmission cooling duct a little bit, and air flows right over it.
You will need this adapter for ST165 instead of the one that comes in the kit:
https://www.racetronix.biz/p/adapter-6an-male-12x125mm-male-blk/adf-6j12125m
Kind of pricey, but very high quality kit! Worth it IMO.

Trans coolers are kinda niche, but unless you're tracking the car they're not necessary. I went through the process of installing a new one on my ST185 because it's stock and I am tracking the car.
 
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