5.7L Transmission Cooler Kits

For installation of the setrabusa 15 row the instructions say the following.

with the orientation of the thermostat inlet/outlet it makes flow through the cooler go in at bottom of cooler, out at the top going back to the thermostat.

Is the correct?? Seems like flow through cooler should be top to bottom?

 

I though the same when installing mine. I believe bottom to top helps ensure there is no air trapped in the system.

 

Thats a good point. Any other thoughts?

 

I did my own system and messed up on the line, kinda. It’s been long argued that air gets trapped. Some say trans oil pressure will always push out any air some say it doesn’t. I noticed to late and had all my lines hooked up. I used a temp gun and the temp through out the whole cooler was as it should be. Hot on the inlet and cooler as it reached the outlet. I am OCD and will eventually buy more hose and reroute it but top or bottom I think is a moot point. Also the system doesn’t stay pressurized when you shut off the truck so there will always be air pockets till pressure builds back up.

 

MHX documentation states the inlet is on the bottom.



EDIT: when the heat exchanger is oriented horizontally.

 

Thanks for the reassurance.

 

Install tip:

When fitting the 3/8” lines to the hard lines up front, use a q-tip to coat the inside of the rubber hose with ATF and get the rubber line started onto the hard line. Once started use a heat gun to heat the line which makes it more flexible. Once the line is warm, use a twisting motion to push the rubber line onto the hard lines without so much fuss.

 

I installed the kit a few days ago with one of my friends. I called around to two dealerships as well as an independent shop and no one wanted to install it, glad that happened b/c it really is pretty straightforward and I saved myself some money.

So for the install, having a second set of hands makes the install go much easier. The guy that made the you tube video of the install did a phenomenal job and its well worth the watch.

A couple things we did when installing it was to put the "coolant in" and "coolant out" hoses on the thermostat before installing it. The hard lines were pretty easy to snake into place with two people, and once you get it in place all the bends on the lines make sense. To get the rubber hose onto the hard lines we put a little ATF in the rubber hose and I pushed them with a slight twisting motion onto the hard lines from the top of the engine while my friend held the hard line in place from under the truck. I got the MHX radiator with the plumbing on the side, so we hooked up the lower port first, held the radiator in a vertical orientation, filled the radiator with ATF, then secured the line to the upper port. Was quicker to get the ATF fluid in this way vs pumping it in from the quart bottle under the truck.We then attached the radiator/bracket assembly to the truck. Again, much easier to do with a two person install.

I chose to keep the thermostat pinned and have been monitoring the pan temperature for the last few days. I don't think its gone over 170 even when really pushing the truck. I drive on the beach, have a lift kit with 35's, and have had the transmission high temp light come on about 7 or 8 times over the last two years. Of course the service advisor blamed the lift and larger tires, but I had a 2011 Tundra with the same lift and tires and never had the transmission high temp light come on in the 8 years I drove it on the beach.

I'm getting the transmission serviced in the morning tomorrow, so I am interested to see if they say anything to me about the install. I hope the tips help, and thanks Nick for putting together a great kit at a great price!

 

Let us know if the dealer says anything about the cooler setup. Would be interested to know if they care about it

 

The service advisor I had today actually acknowledged that Toyota did omit the transmission fluid cooler in the new Tundras. I was actually shocked they did. They also agreed that it was a good mod to install, and didn't understand why Toyota got rid of it in the first place. Now only if we could get Toyota to reimburse us for the cost of the kit!

 

As far as accessing some of the more difficult to reach fasteners: any tips or special tools recommended?

 

Sockets with u-joints, ratcheting combo wrenches, long nose pliers for the clamps. The thermostat bolts don't require too much torque, so just get them snug with an extra 1/4 turn.

I used a slim long reach combo wrench to fasten the hardline mounting point on the engine block near the transmission. U joint with socket, ratcheting socket wrench and extension for the front mounting point.

The thermostat required a socket wrench to break the bolts loose, then I used a ratcheting combo wrench to fasten the thermostat after getting the bolts hand tight.

 

I plan on installing the cooler and hardlines tomorrow. I will cap the hardlines at the transmission end to keep dirt out. I will do the thermostat and fluid at a later time. I have access to a lift for a few hours tomorrow.

 

That looks great!

 

I have decided to not add the MHX-514 cooler to the line up of kits available for the 2019-2021 Tundra. Improved Racing has upped the price of this cooler from $299 to $349 and that does not include the brackets which will make the price of the kit more unreasonable for most. The only option going forward will be the Setrab 15-Row kit.

 

I’m looking for a YouTuber willing to make a quality install video for the Setrab 15-Row kit. This person will receive a kit free of charge. Please email me if you or someone you know would like to do this.

Email: genuinecoolingsystems@gmail.com

 

Installed cooler and hardlines today. Also installed tubing from cooler to hardlines. Heat gun does make the soft tubing go on the hardlines easier. I take it the second ridge on the hardlines are a stop for the soft tubing to go against? It seemed pointless to slide the tubing over the second crimp?

 

Correct. Stop at second nub. The goal is to cover most/all of the non-painted area then the hose clamp goes between the two nubs.

 

I know a Dark Knight from The OG

Interesting SN coincidence?

 

Dark knight was my SN across tacoma world and 4runners since about 2008. When i got to Tundras it was taken so its OG Dark knight over here.

 

Completed install today. All went well. Toyota rubber lines went on fairly easy between thermostat and hard lines. I lubed with trans fluid and slid them on to the hardline first. I did color code all hoses and hardlines. Red going from thermostat to cooler and blue from cooler back to thermostat. helped when putting everything together while working under the truck. I'm glad I did the install. I was a bit hesitant at first but it really was not that bad. Just take your time and triple check all your work. I would say I got a little over a pint of fluid back doing the trans fluid check.

 

Attached is the acceptable temperature range image Toyota emailed to me. Needless to say, mine was operating well above these numbers so I installed the Setrab kit. Not trying to start a debate, I’m just saying Toyota gave me the info that pushed me to install this kit—and it works awesome.

 

I had my eye on this kit as I’m planning to add a magnusson supercharger in the next year or so. Will the setrab kit work with the magnusson?

Thanks!

 

With the Setrab 15, how much space is between the heat exchanger and the bumper cover support rail? Seems like it might be rather close?

Also - fair to say most behind-the-grille light bar kits would be in conflict with these cooler kits?

 

I think it is rather close. I will try to look tomorrow.

 

It’s about 2 inches. I don’t know if any behind the grill light bar kits that would work with either kit.

 

Thanks. Could you post a top view photo? I'd like to make sure there is adequate clearance. Wouldn't want a minor fender-bender to puncture the HX. It just looks very close from the perspective of this photo:

 

2” is 2”

but… my wife thinks we live in a 5000sqft mansion

 

I currently don’t have the Setrab cooler installed. I’m sure a someone who is installing their unit could chime in. I wouldn’t worry, though. This cross member only supports the grill, the actual bumper is about a foot below that.

 

chasenicholas93 the Setrab kit fits a 2020 w/Harrop

Thanks dude.