5.7L Transmission Cooler Kits

Here are some actual numbers with the MHX kit, installed on my truck. I am very happy with the results. I have total confidence that the transmission will be safe when towing.

Again, these numbers are with the thermostat pinned.

https://www.tundras.com/threads/chip_tundra-2020-cavalry-blue-crewmax-build.95001/#post-2403833

 

My thermal degradation index hasn't moved but one value since cooler install. This is about 140 miles in 95 degree weather. Without cooler it would have gone up about 8-9 values.

 

I will check my TechStream today. It’s been over 3500 miles since I’ve got mine installed.

 

Your numbers are really good. I wouldn’t worry about 2-3 degrees. Like someone else said, you still have coolant running through the puck that’s warmer than 185. Pre 19s stay around 195.

 

I have a 7k camper im going to be towing. (Staying within the state of fl (for now) so im leaning towards the mhx cooler but i like the stealthy of setrab. I saw some paint the mhx with black radiator paint. Would that effect the performance of it?

 

Well yeah i was never really "worried" about the 2-3 degress I was moreso just curious since it was able to maintain the 185 for over a week. I love the cooler though and i'm really glad I decided to put it on. I just wish the ATF level check wasn't such a pain in the ass. I added the valhalla cat theft plates on afterwards too. With those plates on, you can still do the TC and diffs, just gonna need to pull them off when i do a drain and fill on tranny.

 

What values should we aim for? My truck has 20K miles and I've only done a drain and fill.

And do you reset that value after every drain and fill?

Been looking to get techstream solely for this.

 

I have a few ideas but would love to hear how people are ensuring their trucks are level if they don't have a level concrete slab to work on.

 

I have a gravel driveway that isn’t level at all. I crawled underneath and used a big level on the frame rails and crossmember. Used a couple jacks to slip 2x6 ends under the tires until level. It worked pretty good and took a lot less time than expected.

 

Jacks and jack stands, scrap wood under the tires, expensive RV leveling blocks. Lots of options.

 

The MHX is a work of art though.

 

I've got what is likely a supremely stupid question. I keep reading about pinning the thermostat. I understand what it means, but my question is this - when does it need to be done, and is it a manual thing (e.g., requires rolling around underneat the truck)?

 

The pin is part of the thermostat that gets installed with the cooler kit. It only needs to be pinned when doing your fluid checks, I think? For regular operation it should be unpinned.

There's a lot of people that think pinning it will make it run cooler, and therefore be better for hot climates, but it really is designed to operate without being pinned. By pinning it you keep the flow to the cooler open all the time and it will take longer for the ATF to reach proper operating temps. This might affect efficiency until it gets up to temp, but isn't likely to have a negative impact either. There's no actual benefit to pinning it for daily operations.

 

From the video in the first post, this link should pick up where he points out the pin.

https://youtu.be/5DLkja6vXvc?t=786

 

The thermostat comes with a pin inserted to keep the thermostat open. This is so after installation, you can circulate transmission fluid through the new lines and cooler to ensure there are no leaks. Once you ensure there and no leaks (and check the fluid level if you think necessary) you pull the pin out so that the thermostat operates as designed.

 

Pinning keeps the “poppet valve” open all the time.

 

Well just placed the order for the mhx cooler

 

Pulled the pin out today, and I can confirm that the transmission does in fact run significantly cooler overall when the thermostat is pinned. I've been able to test this in consistent 100+ degree weather.

 

Well, I live in Missouri, which is not exactly what I'd call a hot climate; but still, it can't hurt.

 

That raises a different question - do I need to (or should I) keep it pinned when it gets colder outside?

 

I personally feel like you can't go wrong either way. These trucks have a fluid warmer that will get the eventually get the transmission close to the water temperature. I believe Toyota considers WS "warm" around 100 to 130 deg. It definitely won't take long to get that temperature driving these trucks, even in the winter.

 

You don’t need to pin at all. Let it run as designed.

 

Agreed. If it’s hot it will open soon, if it’s cold it will open when reaching the proper temp. Engine thermostats aren’t pinned for the same reason.

 

Not sure. I think the fluid is technically spent at a reading of 50,000 or something in that range.

Curious how to reset that myself.

 

Nice. Now I know what I'll be spending my money on next.

 

I painted mine with eastwood radiator matte black. looks amazing. can't even see it behind the grille. i can snap some pics for you later.

 

Definitely want to see those. The only draw for the setrab is the color. When you put up pics would you mind detailing the paint process? Prep, number of coats, dry time, etc.?

 

That would be awesome and the process u did to paint. I wonder if it effects cooling.

 

it's a thinner paint, used specifically for radiators and i spoke with someone from eastwood and they said it will not affect the cooling at all. my temps have been steady at 185F once the cooler kicks in on my 30 minute drive to work, where they would normally be at like 225 by that time. I took a 2 hour drive to my parents house pushing it hard on the highway and it stayed steady at 187-188.

As far as the process I bought these from Amazon.

$7 Lot of 10 Red 3M Scuff Pads Scotch Brite 3M Brand

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MBPT0F8?ie=UTF8

scuffed up everything but the fins and the spec plate on the cooler, wiped it down a few times with acetone, got some painters tape and cut it into a circle to cover the inlet and outlet and did like 2 layers of that just to be on the safe side with some overlapping on the edges. it really turned out great. Just be patient. i laid it on one side and sprayed it, waited an hour and turned it over and sprayed the other side. 2 light coats. just make sure you don't apply too much to the fins, while still getting them covered as that is what affects the cooling capability of the heat exchanger.

 

Here’s some pics don’t mind the dirty truck it’s getting washed this weekend you can’t even see it if you aren’t right up against the grille which is exactly what I wanted.