I am about to purchase an alloy rad for my auto (cracked at the top), but I will be doing a conversion at some point. Could someone please advise if I should get a manual rad or an auto? I was thinking get a manual and T piece the gearbox cooling pipe into oil cooler hose for now. Or do I get the auto and block off the extra outlet...

Most if not all aftermarket rads will be manual only. This simply means the pissy little tube, known as the auto box cooler, that runs through the rad is absent. All this means is you need to add a small external cooler for the box.

You cannot T into the engine oil cooler because they are completely different fluids. Also even if they weren't the engine oil cooler doesn't run constantly or even thermostatically but via pressure. It operates on part of the time.

Most if not all aftermarket rads will be manual only. This simply means the pissy little tube, known as the auto box cooler, that runs through the rad is absent. All this means is you need to add a small external cooler for the box.

You cannot T into the engine oil cooler because they are completely different fluids. Also even if they weren't the engine oil cooler doesn't run constantly or even thermostatically but via pressure. It operates on part of the time.

 

Thanks Stephen. Do you know where there is more information about the auto gearbox cooler you mention? I don't suppose I could even block the pipe from the auto box for now, is it essential?

Thanks Stephen. Do you know where there is more information about the auto gearbox cooler you mention? I don't suppose I could even block the pipe from the auto box for now, is it essential?

 

If you look down the drivers side of the radiator, you will see the connections. If it's a JDM car then that's all there will be. If it's a UK car this will extend through the front nose cone and a small cooler is there. You will soon know if it's right or wrong as autobox fluid is pink. I wouldn't run without a cooler. Overheating seems to be a primary reason for failure which is why most, especially JDM owners choose to fit larger coolers for the box. It doesn't need to be fancy just a small cooler will do the job. You could even upgrade your engine oil cooler and use the, cleaned out, old cooler for the box.

If you look down the drivers side of the radiator, you will see the connections. If it's a JDM car then that's all there will be. If it's a UK car this will extend through the front nose cone and a small cooler is there. You will soon know if it's right or wrong as autobox fluid is pink. I wouldn't run without a cooler. Overheating seems to be a primary reason for failure which is why most, especially JDM owners choose to fit larger coolers for the box. It doesn't need to be fancy just a small cooler will do the job. You could even upgrade your engine oil cooler and use the, cleaned out, old cooler for the box.

 

Yeah its definitely a JDM, the rad has been out once. I think I will go on your advice with upgrading the engine cooler. At least I could leave it in situ and mount a better one at the front. Thanks!