Transmission Cooler Kit Recommendation for 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 5.3L Engine
Question:
What kind of trans cooler do I need? I have a 2012 Chevy Silverado 1500 5.3L. My trans temp is up to 190-209 in the city. Temp out side is about 100 in the summer. Also what kind of temp difference will I see.
asked by: Dustin
Expert Reply:
For your situation, the best, most-effective transmission cooler I can recommend for you is the Derale Atomic-Cool Remote Transmission Cooler Kit with Fan # D13950. You will also want to use the Derale Snap-In Radiator Adapter Fitting for GM # D13035, so you do not need to flare lines for installation.
When driving in the city, easy and abundant air flow to the factory or aftermarket transmission cooler is not as available as when driving on a flat, open highway. The # D13950 cooler with the fan will provide its own air flow to best cool the transmission fluid. This is useful in situations such as traffic, when the vehicle is at a standstill, to still be able to provide cooling to the transmission fluid.
With the fan attached to the Derale transmission cooler, you also have more freedom with where the cooler can be mounted. A cooler without a fan will need to mounted at the front of the engine compartment to receive the best air flow. If you decide you'd rather have a cooler without a fan, a great option is the Derale 19-Row Stacked-Plate Transmission Cooler Kit # D13403.
It is hard to determine just what kinds of temperature differences will be seen after an aftermarket transmission cooler is installed. I recently learned that the factory transmission temperature sensor for Silverados is located in the transmission, and gauges the fluid when it is at its hottest. The effect of the aftermarket cooler is sometimes not seen at all when only monitoring the temperature with the factory gauge. A temperature gauge in the transmission fluid pan, like the Temperature Gauge Kit # D13009, will more accurately illustrate the cooling effect of the aftermarket cooler because it measures the fluid temperature before entering the transmission.
The installation instructions for these coolers and temperature gauge are linked to this page for you.
Products Referenced in This Question
Derale Temperature Gauge Kit for Transmission or Engine Oil
- Accessories and Parts
- Engine Oil Coolers
- Transmission Coolers
- Temperature Gauge
- Derale
more information >
Derale Snap-In Radiator Adapter Fitting for GM
- Accessories and Parts
- Transmission Coolers
- Radiator Adapters
- Derale
more information >
Derale 19-Row Stacked-Plate Transmission Cooler Kit, -6 AN Inlets - Class V
- Transmission Coolers
- Stacked-Plate Cooler
- Heavy-Duty Truck
- Standard Mount
- 13W x 7-5/16T x 2D Inch
- With - 6 AN Inlets
- Derale
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Derale Atomic-Cool Remote Transmission Cooler Kit w/ Fan, -6 AN Inlets - Class V
- Transmission Coolers
- Remote Cooler
- Heavy-Duty Truck
- Remote Mount
- 12-3/4W x 9-3/8T x 4-5/16D Inch
- With - 6 AN Inlets
- Derale
more information >
Featured Help Information
Instructions
Continue Researching
- Shop: Transmission Cooler
- Shop: Brake Controller
- Shop: Curt Adjustable Weight Distribution Shank - 8"
- Shop: Reese Weight Distribution System w/ Shank - Trunnion Bar - 8,000 lbs GTW, 800 lbs TW
- Search Results: 54998
- Search Results: 19286
- Search Results: 39510
- Shop: 2" Hitch Ball - 1-1/4" Diameter x 2-5/8" Long Shank - Chrome - 10,000
- Shop: 2-5/16" Hitch Ball - 1-1/4" Diameter x 2-3/4" Long Shank - Chrome - 12,000 lbs
- Shop: Reese Weight Distribution Shank - 16,000 lbs
- Shop: Reese Weight Distribution Shank for 2" Hitches - 9 Hole Adjustment - 1,200 lb TW
- Shop: Reese Weight Distribution w/out Shank - Trunnion Bar - 8,000 lbs GTW, 800 lbs TW
- Search Results: shank only
- Shop: Trailer Hitch
- Video: All About the Curt MV Weight Distribution System
- Video: An In-Depth Look at the Blue Ox SwayPro Weight Distribution Shank for 2" Hitches
- Search Results: 20127
- Search Results: 63834
- Search Results: 83660
- Video: Breaking Down the Lippert Components Single Flexguard RV Slide-Out Kit Hardware
- Video: What to Know About the Lippert Underchassis Double Bin Storage Unit for RVs
- Article: Brake Controller 7- and 4-Way Installation Kit (ETBC7)
- Q&A: What is the Difference Between a Class II and a Class III Hitch?
- Article: Trailer Wiring Diagrams
- Shop: Trailer Wiring
- Video: How to Choose a Trailer Brake Controller
- Q&A: What is the Difference Between a 4-Way and 7-Way Trailer Connector
- Q&A: What is the Difference Between the Tekonsha Prodigy P2 and the P3 Brake Controllers
- Article: How to Measure for Trailer Hitch Drop
- Shop: Suspension Enhancement
on Transmission Coolers
