cerberusiam trans pro or other advice on heat ex changer

[jbz400]

Hello, I need your advice on the heat ex changer. I'm doing a full rebuild on trans. Billet input, goerends tc, goerends vb, and goerengs rebuild kit. I live in Indiana and have 170000 on the clock. Now that im down there im doing a rear main and new o ring on cam. I have flex plate off "doing a flex plate stiffer from goerends" along with flex plate adapter off. My question is the heat ex changer is a lot easier to get to now, and I know if it goes out the trans is trashed.

1. Do I bypass it. I heard good and bad on this ,and new trucks dont have one on them.
2. Do I replace it now. I can get it from cummins for $270
3. Leave it alone. Because I have heard of brand new one going out within 10000k

2004.5 other advice is excepted.

 

[cerberusiam]

If you are towing heavy a lot or constantly starting the truck in cold weather they have their positive aspects. Without it you will need another cooler somewhere to compensate. If it is still working now I would not disturb it, or, remove it completely. The EPA forced all manufacturers to remove lead from the solder and it just makes the joints that much more brittle and susceptible to cracking. They are picky about using a backup wrench on them when installing or removing lines.

The new trucks have dual coolers IIRC and manage the lockup a lot more so they don't need as much cooling as the heat exchanger gives. Not really a fair comparison there as the 48RE spends a LOT more time in fluid coupling. Your choice what to do about it, good and bad both ways. If you remove then remove it completely and block off the coolant ports so you don't have a potential leak with it still installed.

 

[CrewCabDiesel]

Ask the same questions never got a straight answer. So here is what I did, removed the trans heat exchanger at the recommendation of my transmission shop, internal transmission temp would hit 230 degrees in stop and go driving with no load. I added a BD Xtrude Double Stacked Transmission Cooler with 5/8 lines under the bed, loaded with 20k lbs gooseneck in stop and go traffic and outside temp 218 degrees max, highway driving drops down 174 degrees at 65 mph and the same load. So as I see it, it worked for me, trans works great, no heat issues. hope this helps
Kyle