[Alan340]

Greetings,
I recently started tracking my car more often and was wondering if I could add a transmission cooler to my 2016 340i. I push my car to the limit on the track, but was wondering if a transmission cooler is really needed? What is the typical operating temp or normal temps on the 8HP50? Any feedback greatly appreciated!

[Glemm1970]

No matter how fast my car drove, the temperature at 8HP50 never rose above 90C

[TheFanatic]

You might already have a transmission cooler equipped from factory.

[Alan340]

Originally Posted by TheFanatic

You might already have a transmission cooler equipped from factory.

I am pretty sure I don't. The only auxiliary cooler I know I have is on the passenger side fog light vent, but from what I have read thats the engine oil cooler.

[Alan340]

Originally Posted by Glemm1970

No matter how fast my car drove, the temperature at 8HP50 never rose above 90C

But do you have the transmission cooler or without it?

[Glemm1970]

Here is my whole cooling circuit

[TheFanatic]

Originally Posted by Glemm1970

Here is my whole cooling circuit

The image on the right shows your trans cooler, the front drivers side cooler is a remote radiator.

Here is the remote radiator you're missing, it is not part of the transmission cooling system.

https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=17_1012

[TheFanatic]

Originally Posted by Alan340

I am pretty sure I don't. The only auxiliary cooler I know I have is on the passenger side fog light vent, but from what I have read thats the engine oil cooler.

If I remember correctly all 340i autos have a trans cooler

[Alan340]

Originally Posted by TheFanatic

If I remember correctly all 340i autos have a trans cooler

Oh... well if that is the case then I guess all I would need is the radiator. I will double check anyways. Thank you!

[TheFanatic]

Originally Posted by Alan340

Oh... well if that is the case then I guess all I would need is the radiator. I will double check anyways. Thank you!

The trans cooler isn't a front mount radiator but uses engine coolant to cool the transmission fluid. The two pictures that were posted show the trans cooler

[weehe126]

Pretty sure that is a trans heater rather than cooler. To get the trans fluid up to temp faster. Trans fluid likes to be 160-180, not coolant temps.

[TheFanatic]

Originally Posted by weehe126

Pretty sure that is a trans heater rather than cooler. To get the trans fluid up to temp faster. Trans fluid likes to be 160-180, not coolant temps.

I have never heard of a transmission heater that uses engine coolant to heat it. It's rather common to use engine coolant to cool trans fluids.

also its listed as a trans cooler in realoem

https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=17_1013

[weehe126]

Do you really think 200°F+ coolant is going to be cooling trans fluid below 200F? It looks exactly the same as the one in the E90.

[Glemm1970]

I know. But our climate rarely pampers with heat in summer. Only two weeks in August. So the box temperature on the M140IX does not exceed 90C.

[TheFanatic]

Originally Posted by weehe126

Do you really think 200°F+ coolant is going to be cooling trans fluid below 200F? It looks exactly the same as the one in the E90.

You do realize that the vast majority of your cooling system isn't at 200 degrees?

The overwhelming majority is far below that, the engine is the last thing the coolant goes through before going to the radiator, if you're your coolant is at 200 degrees after it went through the radiator there wouldn't be enough room left in it to cool the engine properly and you'll overheat.

[TheFanatic]

This photo will help you greatly in understanding how radiators work.

[BMWILUVU]

I think 8HP50 has transmission coolers you showed and I have not ever had a problem on track.

[MTWO]

Never any problems with it here either

[Alan340]

I appreciate all the feedback! I will just leave the car as is then.

[BDC Auto]

Originally Posted by Alan340

Greetings,
I recently started tracking my car more often and was wondering if I could add a transmission cooler to my 2016 340i. I push my car to the limit on the track, but was wondering if a transmission cooler is really needed? What is the typical operating temp or normal temps on the 8HP50? Any feedback greatly appreciated!

I have ordered the transmission cooler of S55 (mod M sub-frame), but not have time to install it yet, ordered the assist left small radiator as well.
Checked the tube connections, transmission use an independent cooler, to reduce the temperature of engine.

[kern417]

Guys, there is a separate heat exchanger for the sport auto trans. It's #13. You'll see it in the kidney grilles, it's a thin heat exchanger mounted at the top edge of the main radiator.

[Alan340]

Originally Posted by kern417

Guys, there is a separate heat exchanger for the sport auto trans. It's #13. You'll see it in the kidney grilles, it's a thin heat exchanger mounted at the top edge of the main radiator.

Yeah exactly, that is what I was referring too. My model doesn't have that, but many say they have no issues with overheating without that radiator, so I guess it's not really needed?