Transmission Cooler for 3.4 986 Boxster

[steve_wilwerding]

I was out at a PCA Club Race this weekend, and was chatting with some of the Boxster Spec guys, and they said that they all run transmission coolers (they especially mentioned that the third gear synchro goes bad without cooling).

Since I run track days with my 986 3.4 conversion, and I'm putting about 100 more HP through the gearbox than they are, I'm wondering if I should consider a cooler?

It looks like it's not too big a deal to include fittings during a transmission rebuild - I think the big question would be where to mount the cooler. I'm already running the GT3 center cooler up front. The Spec guys mount it below the rear trunk with mesh through the rear bumper, but I'd rather not do that to a street car.

Thoughts? Honestly, I've never really heard of the transmission needing a cooler, and maybe I should just wait until my gearbox blows up to worry about it ;)

[harryrcb]

all I can tell you is that at a DE session with my 3.2 boxster S, after the second session I have trouble with third gear and I believe a cooler would be a great idea. I am going to install it in mine, I'm in the middle of installing a 3.8 engine and will not put it on the track until I have resolved the trans cooling issue. Location is everything and i will have to follow the spec boxsters idea. there really is no good place to put it and you don't want to get too far away from the trans. So if you find something better, let us know.

[JFP in PA]

I was out at a PCA Club Race this weekend, and was chatting with some of the Boxster Spec guys, and they said that they all run transmission coolers (they especially mentioned that the third gear synchro goes bad without cooling).

Since I run track days with my 986 3.4 conversion, and I'm putting about 100 more HP through the gearbox than they are, I'm wondering if I should consider a cooler?

It looks like it's not too big a deal to include fittings during a transmission rebuild - I think the big question would be where to mount the cooler. I'm already running the GT3 center cooler up front. The Spec guys mount it below the rear trunk with mesh through the rear bumper, but I'd rather not do that to a street car.

Thoughts? Honestly, I've never really heard of the transmission needing a cooler, and maybe I should just wait until my gearbox blows up to worry about it ;)

Transmission coolers and differential coolers for cars with separate units are a fairly common item in racing circle’s as the gearboxes can get very hot. Requires setting up an electric pump capable of circulating the gear lube, braided lines and a cooler large enought to do the job somewhere where it can get air. Another approach is to use an oil/water inline cooler connected to the car’s coolant system, which can be much more compact as it does not need outside air to work.

Edited June 6, 2012 by JFP in PA