Remote coolers, fin/tube or plate?

[5akman]

Well, since I'm in a spending mode (just ordered an A Team Turbo this morning), figured I'd look at relocating the engine oil and trans coolers. I've been having major overheating trouble when towing with our northern CA 100+ temps and I'm trying to keep the 6.5 in the running instead of buying a Hemi/Cummins/Duramax!

I plan on relocating the trans/engine oil coolers away from in front of the radiator and putting some remote units with fans/thermostats under the cab or bed of the truck. Since space isn't an issue, I plan on going as large as possible. The question is, after looking at all the aftermarket coolers available, which is most efficient, fin/tube or the plate style cooler? What type of hose will be best or do I have new hard lines made up? Should I keep the trans cooler lines going to the radiator first and then back to the remote cooler?

Chime in!

Lance

 

[buddy]

I believe the plate setups are better, like small radiators where you have an input with like a dozen rows for it to go through, where the liquid is separated and cooled in smaller amounts (less insulation) and then recombined. Compared to just a tube with fins around it.

 

[schiker]

Depends on quality and style number of passes/#tubes etc. The high end tube fin multiple pass high fin per inch have higher BTU but plate is good for oil and maybe a little tougher for underneath truck. Plate probably more bang for buck in low to moderate price range.

 

[OregonHorseTug]

I'd just start with a nice plate and frame style with a fan on it for the AT. Mounted mine under the bed on the drivers side and I have an adjustable thermostat to turn on the fan. I don't have any water or tranny temp problems with this setup. The ATT will cut done on the heat to the engine and the WMI will put a lid on the EGTs (that's what I'm doing next).

 

[North Maine]

Be careful when rerouting oil coolers etc, as you can mess with the pressure requirements of the engine and possibly put the engine in jeopardy due to too low pressure or lack of oil. Plate type heat exchanges are far more efficient at heat exchange than shell in tube or tube/fin designs. There really is no comparison.

 

[docdray]

as stated, go with something that is tough built, I run two, plate, upgraded 28klb rated in front and moved stock to underneath. way helps out, TDoc also runs a two cooler set up. one pic is under driver side cab(crew cab), other is where lines spliced into