I am just about ready to swap out my 2.8 with the 3800SC engine/4t65EHD transmission from a 2000 GTP. I replaced my stock Fiero radiator several years ago with the 3 row aluminum one which includes the internal transmission cooler and I have never had a cooling problem with it. I plan on using the modified Fiero thermostat housing, etc. but I was wondering if it will be necessary and/or recommended to install a separate transmission cooler instead of re-using the current one within my radiator? I don't plan to race the new combination, just drive it around to shows, take road trips, etc. What have others experienced with this? What do other fellow engine swap people recommend. As usual any advice is appreciated.

I would think the LOOP in the radiator should be fine (The "IN Radiator" coolers are pretty much the same from Car to Car). If it makes you "Feel Safer", you could put in a separate one

The "cooler" is actually more of a temperature stabilizer. The auto trannies dont like to be too cold or too hot, hence the inclusion of the loop in the radiator side tank.
Use what you have, you'll be fine.

I have been using a tranny cooler only for the past 3 years with no problems at all. My tranny rarely gets up to 150 and in the winter it runs at 120 or less which is technically too cold. I have not noticed any problems at all and I beat the tar out of it daily. I did not want to hook it up the the fiero tranny lines because they were much smaller diameter and I was worried about lack of flow. I think the best solution would be to plumb new lines (same size as donor car) up to the fiero radiator.

My 2 cents.

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84 NB, 3800SC, E-85, VS Cam, 3.0 Pulley, 4T65E-HD, HP Tuners, AEM Wideband, Regal GS Gauges, S-10 Brake Booster. 1/4 mile -12.05 at 111.7mph

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[This message has been edited by qwikgta (edited 08-19-2013).]

I ran the stock radiator cooler for many years with no issues but when moved up to a 3K stall I had to add in a cooler to keep the temps under control in the summer time. You should be fine with the stock cooler in the radiator.

Thanks for all of the input!! I would prefer to just use the stock internal cooler but wanted to know from others experiences!! Curtis

Are people plumbing the stock radiator tranny cooler with the smaller fiero stock size tubing or are you replacing all of the lines and using adaptors at the radiator for the larger donor car size line. I realize by using the larger line you are still stepping it down at the radiator but that still flows better than having the entire thing plumbed with the smaller fiero size line.

What have you guys done?

[This message has been edited by DimeMachine (edited 08-20-2013).]

The stock sized lines provide plenty of flow for adequate temperature control.

I usually replace the stock line with stainless steel from Inline Tube, as the stock lines are old and usually corroded.