I have been kicking this one around for a while. For those who frequently explore the outer limits of TLS performance, this might be a good idea.

Issues:

1) Where to draw the oil. I think a "sandwich" adapter would be best, as it reduces the amount of plumbing. It fits onto the oil filter threads between the bracket and the filter. About 1" added depth but that should not make a clearance issue.

2) Thermostat. An inline thermostat is preferrable to one mounted in the sandwich adapter. They open at about 180 degrees to ensure adequate warmup of the oil

3) New filter: The sandwich adapter fits onto the Honda 20mm thread, but then provides a SAE size thread allowing any number of Ford-dimension filters to be used. They can be fatter and the same length as the Honda filter. We will have to match the OEM bypass pressure requirements.

4) Oil flow capacity. This is the trickiest part. We need at least 10 GPM capability to ensure adquate oil flow. This pretty much rules out "cheap" cooler radiators, since most of them do not have adequate tubing dimensions (they were designed for lazy V8's). I think we would have to go with a racing style cooler, which are more expensive but stronger, and have higher BTU exchange rates compared with cheaper rads. So they can be smaller.

5) Where to mount - I think there is adequate space in front of the radiator - we would not want to use those cheap plastic ties - I have a better solution in mind.

Any interest in this, or has anyone done it?

Here are some "irritating" references for those who hate to read:
http://www.perma-cool.com/Catalog/Cat_page28.html
http://www.perma-cool.com/Catalog/Cat_page10.html
http://www.perma-cool.com/Catalog/Cat_page14.html

 

I'm in. I like the idea though I would be concerned of making sure of preventing any changes in the "flow" of the oil i.e. pressure, capacity as you mentioned. With the use of a proper setup. Hmm, I need to crawl under the car to visualize all this.

RR, what's your opinion on transmission fluid coolers.

Hmmm, I'll go do a search on that.

 

Doesn't the TL-S have some sort of oil cooler for transmissions? Can Mr. Hyde or someone with shop manual comment?

 

Did anyone ever "Sandwich" one of these Oil Coolers In ?

 

Has anyone put a gauge in and measured the temp? How much room for improvement is there?

eCo

 

As far as I know, the TL-S does not have a seperate tranny fluid cooler. I believe it relies on engine coolant lines to cool it down as well as the engine.

Zodiak TL just had an additional tranny fluid cooler installed by Parke Ave Acura.

http://www.acura-tl.com/forum/showth...threadid=42050

Oh yeah, I believ Amsoil makes a kit to add an additional oil filter to your car. Could that kit be used for this application as well??

 

I determined the stock setup is quite adequate - a fluid to fluid transfer (as Acura uses) is very efficient, and the tranny temps I measured were in the optimum range, although I just probed a few spots and determined this was not a big issue. In the 170 range, flaring to 185 or so in traffic.
http://www.niehoff.com/techtips/trans.html

Here are some tranny life tips
1) Change the fluid every year for mineral, every 2 for syns - it is easy and cheap.
2) Use the best fluid - I like the Red Line D4 ATF.
3) If stuck in traffic, put the car in neutral rather than sit with the brake on

 

Ah, all due respect to ya RR, but Honda ATF *ONLY* in the Honda trannies. Even Red Line (customer service on the phone) says to use Honda ATF fluid and not theirs.

The rest of your info, as always, is spot on....