[N54Society]

Looking to install a transmission cooler on my 2010 E90 6AT. Which kits are popular with the kids these days?

Thanks!

What type of driving do you do currently?

What temps are you seeing under those conditions?

[bluemonstr]

Originally Posted by vbp6us

Looking to install a transmission cooler on my 2010 E90 6AT. Which kits are popular with the kids these days?

Thanks!

I was going to go this route - but decided recently (meaning the last few months) that I'm not too concerned anymore. MHD allows you to run cooler engine temps than ever before and because of that your trans temps stay down too. This can all be logged with MHD as well (they now have the trans temp log parameter).

Since running cooler (with the MHD tune) my trans in 'normal' driving runs in the 180/190 range and actually cools down. On the hwy I actually get into the 170s. It used to run in the 200's. So it's a big difference. Now I just need to get some nice clean fluid in there. lol

If you are looking to track - then that's another story. BUT for normal driving, a 'tune' update/mod may be all that you need.

[N54Society]

Originally Posted by FCobra94

What type of driving do you do currently?

What temps are you seeing under those conditions?

I don't track the car. Most of my driving is commuting to work which is about 6 miles away (lol) so I try to have fun during that drive each way. I don't race other cars or anything like that. I just want a reliable transmission for when I get aftermarket turbos with a goal of ~550-600whp max.

Originally Posted by bluemonstr

I was going to go this route - but decided recently (meaning the last few months) that I'm not too concerned anymore. MHD allows you to run cooler engine temps than ever before and because of that your trans temps stay down too. This can all be logged with MHD as well (they now have the trans temp log parameter).

Since running cooler (with the MHD tune) my trans in 'normal' driving runs in the 180/190 range and actually cools down. On the hwy I actually get into the 170s. It used to run in the 200's. So it's a big difference. Now I just need to get some nice clean fluid in there. lol

If you are looking to track - then that's another story. BUT for normal driving, a 'tune' update/mod may be all that you need.

This is really interesting! I have never heard of this before. How is the software reducing engine temps though?

[feuer]

550/600whp? Will that AT last? Regardless of extra cooling of not.

[N54Society]

Originally Posted by feuer

550/600whp? Will that AT last? Regardless of extra cooling of not.

I'm not sure. Haven't people been installing these things for a while now? Anyone want to chime in?

[feuer]

Originally Posted by vbp6us

I'm not sure. Haven't people been installing these things for a while now? Anyone want to chime in?

72y old man goes to the doctor saying something is wrong because he isn't able to have sex every day. Doctor says you are old is ok. Old man says my friend brags that he is doing it every day. Doctor says hey old man you could brag too.

It would be identical story about 600 wheel horse power. But let's hear what other have to say.

[Koolsilver]

I'm running FBO with 40% e85 on my 6AT so we could assume I'm at mid 400s approximately? Anyways I live in Sacramento and 100F+ is very normal. I installed a dedicated oil cooler with a 165F thermostat to cool my transmission. I mounted the cooler in my driver wheel well and I routed the lines by disconnecting the lines from the stock oil heater and rerouted it to my oil cooler. Overall cost me about $400.

Prior to the install 200-230F(yikes!) was seen with just spirited driving. After install during 100F ambient I'm barely seeing above 200F and when ambient is reasonable say 60-70F my temps will stay around 170F give or take.

For full disclosure at the same time as this install I also installed a 7" FMIC and did the MHD coolant target which targets I believe 185F. These changes shouldn't really have an effect on transmission temps as with my setup the coolant and oil are not linked at all unlike stock. The only possible change is maybe less radiant heat from the radiator but that's splitting hairs.

[N54Society]

So what's the consensus guys? Is MHD sufficient or are people still putting together cooler kits for the transmission?

[badblackcoupe]

Originally Posted by vbp6us

So what's the consensus guys? Is MHD sufficient or are people still putting together cooler kits for the transmission?

vader solutions has at cooler fittings, then you can run your own tranny cooler, whatever you wanna hook a 10an return and feed to.

Originally Posted by vbp6us

So what's the consensus guys?

The consensus is that you shouldn't waste your money on cooling parts when the parts you're trying to cool barely get up to normal operating temp anyway.

[bluemonstr]

Originally Posted by FCobra94

The consensus is that you shouldn't waste your money on cooling parts when the parts you're trying to cool barely get up to normal operating temp anyway.

LOL - I was thinking the same thing. I also noted that he said he drives about 6 miles a day and never races any other cars or anything but still he's talking about 500-600 hp. My real question to you...have you built up to 400 yet? You might be surprised at what you feel. AND to tell you the truth the difference between 400 and 450 is CRAZY. These cars hook up great. Run awesome on the street and embarrass a lot of other 'more powerful' vehicles. Seriously. I'm not sure you realize how much 500-600hp is. Or how much you expect to really 'need'.

Long story short, based on what YOU have told us...learn the MHD and tune in the cooling. From what YOU said, you don't need a tranny cooler.

Now, if you are lying to us and yourself...have at it cool the bitch and buy those turbos and run some meth too, don't forget that built tranny. Why hold back? Go all in and never be done with it for 6 miles a day that hardly warms up your car and you never race other cars.

For myself, I never plan to track the car, I drive daily and I can rundown anything on the street. I am sneaky like that, they have no idea what I have - stock wheels, plain jane look to the car, only ONE hint of anything - the soot on my tailpipes that my car is built up. That is it. Quiet as can be. When the SS or 5.0 or SRT whatever watches me boogie on by, the look on their face is PRICELESS.

Bottom line, I have tuned the car to run cooler - I and others have indicated that this truly works. For daily driving...with pretty good hp numbers too. You do with that what you will.

Also, you what real power...E85 is your immediate friend.

[N54Society]

Originally Posted by bluemonstr

LOL - I was thinking the same thing. I also noted that he said he drives about 6 miles a day and never races any other cars or anything but still he's talking about 500-600 hp. My real question to you...have you built up to 400 yet? You might be surprised at what you feel. AND to tell you the truth the difference between 400 and 450 is CRAZY. These cars hook up great. Run awesome on the street and embarrass a lot of other 'more powerful' vehicles. Seriously. I'm not sure you realize how much 500-600hp is. Or how much you expect to really 'need'.

Long story short, based on what YOU have told us...learn the MHD and tune in the cooling. From what YOU said, you don't need a tranny cooler.

Now, if you are lying to us and yourself...have at it cool the bitch and buy those turbos and run some meth too, don't forget that built tranny. Why hold back? Go all in and never be done with it for 6 miles a day that hardly warms up your car and you never race other cars.

For myself, I never plan to track the car, I drive daily and I can rundown anything on the street. I am sneaky like that, they have no idea what I have - stock wheels, plain jane look to the car, only ONE hint of anything - the soot on my tailpipes that my car is built up. That is it. Quiet as can be. When the SS or 5.0 or SRT whatever watches me boogie on by, the look on their face is PRICELESS.

Bottom line, I have tuned the car to run cooler - I and others have indicated that this truly works. For daily driving...with pretty good hp numbers too. You do with that what you will.

Also, you what real power...E85 is your immediate friend.

Wow so many assumptions.

Yes I have felt 400 hp and more on E85. I have two N54s, look at my sig. I'm trying to mod my E90 now. And just because I don't go looking for a race it doesn't mean I'll turn someone down if they're a worthy contender. Finally, yes it's worth it to me to have 600whp even for a 6 mile commute because I can.

I am interested in the MHD method of lowering temps though. You're the second person I've heard this from. Going to look into that first.

2008 E92 335i 6MT: FBO + MMP Silicone Inlets | Stage 1 LPFP | 335is clutch + MFactory SMFW | Custom BuraQ E75+ MHD tune | 3.5Bar N20 sensor

2010 E90 335i M-Sport AT: Stock

Thanks

[feuer]

Originally Posted by bluemonstr

I'm not sure you realize how much 500-600hp is. Or how much you expect to really 'need'.

At 600whp not only that things will break rapidly but whether the driver can handle the power or not would be more concerning.

Originally Posted by vbp6us;

I have felt 400 hp and more on E85.

Is that 400+ hp or whp? Also, even if it is 400+ whp that is hugely different from 600whp that you originally inquired .

[bluemonstr]

Originally Posted by vbp6us

Wow so many assumptions.

I am interested in the MHD method of lowering temps though. You're the second person I've heard this from. Going to look into that first.

2008 E92 335i 6MT: FBO + MMP Silicone Inlets | Stage 1 LPFP | 335is clutch + MFactory SMFW | Custom BuraQ E75+ MHD tune | 3.5Bar N20 sensor

2010 E90 335i M-Sport AT: Stock

Thanks

I will apologize for my 'assumptions' you are correct (I shouldn't have done that). However, your question (to me) was pretty basic and caused that assumption. Again - apologies!

But yes, seriously - MHD is awesome. The ability to cool the car is probably one of the single best updates we've been given. I was VERY surprised at how much more than just the coolant was cooled. Water down, oil temps down, trans temps controlled. Amazing! On the regular flash section there is a place that you can select 'sport' cooling...it will do most of it for you. If you become more inclined you can manipulate the tables yourself.

[N54Society]

Originally Posted by feuer

At 600whp not only that things will break rapidly but whether the driver can handle the power or not would be more concerning.


Is that 400+ hp or whp? Also, even if it is 400+ whp that is hugely different from 600whp that you originally inquired .

I can handle the power, not really anything to be concerned about there. My E92 makes 440whp and 498wtq, to answer your second question. I would like a little more power, hence why my power goals are around 600whp now.

[N54Society]

Originally Posted by badblackcoupe

vader solutions has at cooler fittings, then you can run your own tranny cooler, whatever you wanna hook a 10an return and feed to.

Yeah I know he has fittings. Any idea what the remainder of the parts list is exactly? Then there is the bracket which needs to be retrofitted depending on where you're putting the radiator. I'm hoping the kits have all that figured out.

Originally Posted by FCobra94

The consensus is that you shouldn't waste your money on cooling parts when the parts you're trying to cool barely get up to normal operating temp anyway.

Is this seriously the consensus? How was the software used to lower the temps btw? It's intriguing.

Originally Posted by bluemonstr

I will apologize for my 'assumptions' you are correct (I shouldn't have done that). However, your question (to me) was pretty basic and caused that assumption. Again - apologies!

But yes, seriously - MHD is awesome. The ability to cool the car is probably one of the single best updates we've been given. I was VERY surprised at how much more than just the coolant was cooled. Water down, oil temps down, trans temps controlled. Amazing! On the regular flash section there is a place that you can select 'sport' cooling...it will do most of it for you. If you become more inclined you can manipulate the tables yourself.

No worries bro.

I love it. I want to learn more about it but I have yet to find a thread that discusses that topic alone (surprisingly). I would think the AT guys would be all over this.

[IllSic_Design]

Originally Posted by vbp6us

Is this seriously the consensus? How was the software used to lower the temps btw? It's intriguing.
.

It has different targets for when the water pump and fan initiate, so they come on at a lower temp.

[N54Society]

Originally Posted by IllSic_Design

It has different targets for when the water pump and fan initiate, so they come on at a lower temp.

Ah, that's a cool way to do it. I wonder how much wear extra wear it puts on those components. Probably negligible but still curious. I have MHD on one of my cars. I need to get another license unless he does transfers.

[bluemonstr]

Originally Posted by vbp6us

Ah, that's a cool way to do it. I wonder how much wear extra wear it puts on those components. Probably negligible but still curious. I have MHD on one of my cars. I need to get another license unless he does transfers.

Actually - I wonder how much extra wear on components the extra heat places on them. I'm seriously curious how long our cheap rubber/plastics would last with cooler temps. I believe that a reason many of our parts fail is because of the extra temps these engines run at. As far as my waterpump goes - it's been pretty consistent to go out every 50k or so. That being said, if it goes at 45k (I'll find out in about 25k more miles)...we'll see. If not - then win win.

[BaaQaf]

It simply actually, instead of running your water pump speed to hell for no reason try focusing on oil cooling.

[jboyorak]

Tuning the car to run cooler with MHD will make the transmission oil cooler. The factory transmission cooler uses engine coolant to control temps. Cooler engine coolant = cooler transmission oil.

But on that note, you still are at the mercy of the engine coolant to depend on keeping the transmission fluid under control. With some spirited driving and aggressive tuning, the factory cooling system will have a very hard time keeping up. Having an additional cooler in the system with a proper thermostat will make sure transmission temperatures stay were you want them.

Short answer- While tuning can and will lower temps, it is still best to add an additional cooler to reliably control transmission oil temperatures.