This is the install thread for my B&M Supercooler 70268 on my 2008 Avalanche LTZ. I?m using it as a transmission cooler. I chose this cooler because of its great reviews, and the fact that it is a stacked plate cooler, as opposed to the tube and fin design. I picked it up from Amazon for about $70. I am building up my truck to be a heavy hauler as I have a 6500-7000lb boat trailer to tow. So far I?ve done the EBC Brakes, new Autoride shocks, Cold Air Intake and the Magnuson Supercharger. I?ve also got a new Drawtite 41930 hitch on backorder.
I?m doing a really custom install because my truck has very little room behind the grill. Due to the supercharger, I have limited space up top. I counted and there are already 5 coolers up top (radiator, AC condenser, power steering, transmission (built-in), and the supercharger intercooler). As such I elected to install mine down below the bumper ? where the license plate would be.
Start by removing the whole front clip. I won?t bother to tell you how because there is a terrific video you can watch to show how.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7oM5ep42740
Once the clip is removed, you can see what you are dealing with.
In order to work in here, we elected to remove the Cold Air Intake. My helper here is doing the hard work. I didn?t realize this before, but the cold air intake (at least my Volant variety) sucks air in through the grill. Before I thought it only came from below. Very cool.
In order to mount the cooler below the bumper we had to fabricate a bracket. To do this we built a bracket out of flat steel stock that was bent up on either end. It bolted on the the tow hook bolts on either side of the bumper. We then painted it to prevent rust.
Next you need to tap into the existing transmission lines. My truck, and I think every automatic vehicle on the road today, has an existing transmission cooler embedded in the radiator. This is due to the high heat generated by torque converters. So you want to leave this in line first, then pass to the supercooler after. First step is finding the inlet and the outlet. We determined by starting the vehicle, and leaving it in gear with the brake applied, that the top was the outlet. (to discover this for yourself, feel the lines. The hot one is the inlet. I was shocked how quickly it got hot doing this)
We detached the existing line from the top and removed it. See the video above, as removing this piece is a bit of an art form. Then stick in the new, brass adaptor for GM vehicles. I got this on Amazon as well. It is a Hayden part: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000EPRCAC/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
We now unbolted the return line as well to be slightly relocated. You can see it hanging here. (note you can also see the large air hole for the cold air intake beside the radiator)
Next we ran the lines from the radiator outlet and from the transmission return line. I bought some extra 3/8? line from Amazon for this, as previous reviews told me the kit didn?t have enough. You run the lines through the ?cold air? hole, and down below the radiator. The holes were already present. If you have the GM Aux Cooler installed (like the suburban in the video), then you need to do some cutting. Fortunately, I didn?t have to.
Here you can see them coming down to below the bumper.
Note: Anywhere that the line was rubbing on sharp plastic or metal, I wrapped the hose in some rubber sleeve.
Next we bolted the cooler on to our metal bracket.
The bracket was then installed on the truck. We tipped it up slightly for better clearance to get the front clip on.
With the bracket fastened we added a couple other stainless steel supports.
Next we had to cut-away the license plate holder from the front clip. After lots of pondering, I found my trusty vibrating tool (Sonicrafter). If you don?t have one of these tools yet, buy one. They always save my butt. It sliced the plastic like butter. Afterwards I sanded down the edging and installed it back on the truck. You can see the hole here:
Next was the fun part. I tried to find a grill to do this project, but pretty much failed to find anything proper. As such, I just strolled through Canadian Tire until I found stuff that looked neat. I ended up with this?. Whatever it?s called.
I fitted the ?rack? up inside the hole. I fastened it with a couple tie wraps on the bottom, and some metal strapping on the top. The feet of the rack bent around nicely to use as mounting feet. It was actually quite perfect.
And here is the result. Looks alright. Should flow a huge amount of air.
As for performance, it is -13C today, so I won?t get any useful readings for quite some time. However the cooler is noticeably warm to the touch after even a minute of running the truck. So it is clearly working. Also, there are no leaks to be found. I just need to add some extra fluid (slowly, while checking often) before I drive to far.
I also took this opportunity to replace some burned out bulbs in the headlight, but alas, my ambers weren?t quite ready to go in?. sigh. This is what happens when you leave them in your toolbox too long.
I?m doing a really custom install because my truck has very little room behind the grill. Due to the supercharger, I have limited space up top. I counted and there are already 5 coolers up top (radiator, AC condenser, power steering, transmission (built-in), and the supercharger intercooler). As such I elected to install mine down below the bumper ? where the license plate would be.
Start by removing the whole front clip. I won?t bother to tell you how because there is a terrific video you can watch to show how.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7oM5ep42740
Once the clip is removed, you can see what you are dealing with.
In order to work in here, we elected to remove the Cold Air Intake. My helper here is doing the hard work. I didn?t realize this before, but the cold air intake (at least my Volant variety) sucks air in through the grill. Before I thought it only came from below. Very cool.
In order to mount the cooler below the bumper we had to fabricate a bracket. To do this we built a bracket out of flat steel stock that was bent up on either end. It bolted on the the tow hook bolts on either side of the bumper. We then painted it to prevent rust.
Next you need to tap into the existing transmission lines. My truck, and I think every automatic vehicle on the road today, has an existing transmission cooler embedded in the radiator. This is due to the high heat generated by torque converters. So you want to leave this in line first, then pass to the supercooler after. First step is finding the inlet and the outlet. We determined by starting the vehicle, and leaving it in gear with the brake applied, that the top was the outlet. (to discover this for yourself, feel the lines. The hot one is the inlet. I was shocked how quickly it got hot doing this)
We detached the existing line from the top and removed it. See the video above, as removing this piece is a bit of an art form. Then stick in the new, brass adaptor for GM vehicles. I got this on Amazon as well. It is a Hayden part: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000EPRCAC/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
We now unbolted the return line as well to be slightly relocated. You can see it hanging here. (note you can also see the large air hole for the cold air intake beside the radiator)
Next we ran the lines from the radiator outlet and from the transmission return line. I bought some extra 3/8? line from Amazon for this, as previous reviews told me the kit didn?t have enough. You run the lines through the ?cold air? hole, and down below the radiator. The holes were already present. If you have the GM Aux Cooler installed (like the suburban in the video), then you need to do some cutting. Fortunately, I didn?t have to.
Here you can see them coming down to below the bumper.
Note: Anywhere that the line was rubbing on sharp plastic or metal, I wrapped the hose in some rubber sleeve.
Next we bolted the cooler on to our metal bracket.
The bracket was then installed on the truck. We tipped it up slightly for better clearance to get the front clip on.
With the bracket fastened we added a couple other stainless steel supports.
Next we had to cut-away the license plate holder from the front clip. After lots of pondering, I found my trusty vibrating tool (Sonicrafter). If you don?t have one of these tools yet, buy one. They always save my butt. It sliced the plastic like butter. Afterwards I sanded down the edging and installed it back on the truck. You can see the hole here:
Next was the fun part. I tried to find a grill to do this project, but pretty much failed to find anything proper. As such, I just strolled through Canadian Tire until I found stuff that looked neat. I ended up with this?. Whatever it?s called.
I fitted the ?rack? up inside the hole. I fastened it with a couple tie wraps on the bottom, and some metal strapping on the top. The feet of the rack bent around nicely to use as mounting feet. It was actually quite perfect.
And here is the result. Looks alright. Should flow a huge amount of air.
As for performance, it is -13C today, so I won?t get any useful readings for quite some time. However the cooler is noticeably warm to the touch after even a minute of running the truck. So it is clearly working. Also, there are no leaks to be found. I just need to add some extra fluid (slowly, while checking often) before I drive to far.
I also took this opportunity to replace some burned out bulbs in the headlight, but alas, my ambers weren?t quite ready to go in?. sigh. This is what happens when you leave them in your toolbox too long.