Keeping coolant and transmission temps under control when towing in the summer heat

[Bonebad1]

Any idea who to contact to get the computer to turn the fans on at a lower temp at speed. Can I do that with a tuner or is that a special tool.

 

[Bonebad1]

Do you think the mishimoto works better than the factory radiator?.

 

[Geotrash]

Any idea who to contact to get the computer to turn the fans on at a lower temp at speed. Can I do that with a tuner or is that a special tool.

Send an email to @BlackBearPerf and ask if they can do it for you. A blackbear tune will cost ~$500, but they’ll also tune your engine and transmission for better performance, and if you decide to do other mods later like a cam upgrade, they’ll tune it for you for free. I’m super happy with my tunes from them.

 

[BlackBearPerf]

Send an email to @BlackBearPerf and ask if they can do it for you. A blackbear tune will cost ~$500, but they’ll also tune your engine and transmission for better performance, and if you decide to do other mods later like a cam upgrade, they’ll tune it for you for free. I’m super happy with my tunes from them.

Thanks so much, we would be happy to help with a tune! Tune prices vary depending on what option you go with. Also we had to change our free update policy for the first time ever since opening our doors. Tune updates are free for the first year, after that it would be $40 to $150 depending on what type of mods you are adding.

 

[alpha_omega]

Tune updates are free for the first year, after that it would be $40 to $150 depending on what type of mods you are adding.

Say what!?! You guys just lost business on that deal. Only kidding, definitely check out BB for a tune, they will get you dialed right in.

Any idea who to contact to get the computer to turn the fans on at a lower temp at speed. Can I do that with a tuner or is that a special tool.

Also, if you don’t already have one, consider looking into a Tech2.

 

[alpha_omega]

Do you think the mishimoto works better than the factory radiator?.

*Bump on this post. Do we have p/n’s for these in case others come looking.

I’m still surprised how far this thread has come in such a short time. Hopefully our ramblings have helped others out who were in or may be in our position down the road. And to think it all started with one “oops” by Dave trying to reroute his fluid. Ha! Way to go Trash-man.

I have a migraine that’s been kickin’ my @$$ for over three days now, so I’m going to let “the other fellows” help me out with this one (how bout part numbers and a score count for which of these works best - that means clean, factory new rads. Obviously Carls 10 year old rusty radiator that never had its fluid flushed, and it’s fins are chalked full of dust, bent up from bugs and space debris won’t run as well as a brand new CC. We are comparing brand new for all three - which is found to work best and what mods are needed (no mods, fan shroud trimming, add vent tube to overflow…etc).


OEM -

Mishi -

ColdCase -


Spoils to the victor!

*As for me, I’m going to drug myself and hope for some R.E.M. sleep tonight. Two hours of sleep in three days makes Adam a dull…everything.

 

[Tozan]

I installed a Cold Case
Cons:
1. Lots of grinding and bending to make it fit.
2. Required cutting fan shroud
3. Very poor manufacturing the fitting on the trans cooler would not seal and they sent me an external cooler that runs as high as 250 degrees.
4. Need to make a restrictor for the coolant tank line
5. Triggers engine failure codes.

Pros:
1. It does cool the motor better
2. It has a drain on it that works

I actually will replace it with a stock one next time.

 

[alpha_omega]

I installed a Cold Case
Cons:
1. Lots of grinding and bending to make it fit.
2. Required cutting fan shroud
3. Very poor manufacturing the fitting on the trans cooler would not seal and they sent me an external cooler that runs as high as 250 degrees.
4. Need to make a restrictor for the coolant tank line
5. Triggers engine failure codes.

Pros:
1. It does cool the motor better
2. It has a drain on it that works

I actually will replace it with a stock one next time.

Your pro’s seem counterintuitive to the list of cons. Haha.
Was that Cold Case installed on your 11’ Hoe?

 

[Tozan]

Your pro’s seem counterintuitive to the list of cons. Haha.
Was that Cold Case installed on your 11’ Hoe?

Yes it is still on there for now, I am going to try and get the radiator cooler to stop leaking and if that doesn't work it might be time to get a new radiator or see if Cold Case wants to warranty it.

 

[Geotrash]

5400 miles down, only 130 more to go tomorrow and we’ll be home from our epic western road trip. The Denali has performed flawlessly throughout the whole journey, pulling our 7000 lb camper over mountains, across deserts, and through torrential rain. I’m thrilled with this setup and wouldn’t hesitate to take it anywhere. Thanks to all who helped with advice and comments. Never once had any pucker moments with either transmission or coolant temps at any point along the way.

 

[alpha_omega]

Awesome bud! Glad to hear things are running great. Enjoy the trip and your extended holiday weekend.

 

[Geotrash]

Awesome bud! Glad to hear things are running great. Enjoy the trip and your extended holiday weekend.

Thanks man! You too! Made it home this morning.

 

[Cincikid]

So I towed my camper (4k lbs) again this weekend 2.5 hours away in the hills of Kentucky and it did fine without running the A/C, stayed around 210, peaked at 220 on some larger hills. When I run th A/C it does significantly worse, stays hot around 220 and will go up to 230. Is there a chance my A/C compressor or tensioner or belt is putting too much strain on the engine and not spinning as freely as it should?

 

[Geotrash]

So I towed my camper (4k lbs) again this weekend 2.5 hours away in the hills of Kentucky and it did fine without running the A/C, stayed around 210, peaked at 220 on some larger hills. When I run th A/C it does significantly worse, stays hot around 220 and will go up to 230. Is there a chance my A/C compressor or tensioner or belt is putting too much strain on the engine and not spinning as freely as it should?

Very unlikely. The issue is that the A/C condenser is right in front of the radiator, so as it removes heat from the cabin, it releases it in front of the radiator making it harder to keep the engine cool. Move that Derale (assuming it has its own fan) to below the bumper and your problems will be gone.

 

[RooTBeeRthe1st]

Very unlikely. The issue is that the A/C condenser is right in front of the radiator, so as it removes heat from the cabin, it releases it in front of the radiator making it harder to keep the engine cool. Move that Derale (assuming it has its own fan) to below the bumper and your problems will be gone.

This.^

But also, 230 on these isn't hurting anything as long as you system is in good working order.
(no hoses bursting, plastic fittings/end tanks splitting ready to strand you)

I've upgraded nearly everything cooling wise and running a cold thermostat so I personally like to keep mine under 210-215.

 

[Cincikid]

This.^

But also, 230 on these isn't hurting anything as long as you system is in good working order.
(no hoses bursting, plastic fittings/end tanks splitting ready to strand you)

I've upgraded nearly everything cooling wise and running a cold thermostat so I personally like to keep mine under 210-215.

What temp thermostat are you running? That was my next update, I had a shop change mine out with the water pump and they just put the OEM temp in.

 

[RooTBeeRthe1st]

What temp thermostat are you running? That was my next update, I had a shop change mine out with the water pump and they just put the OEM temp in.

I wanted a 170-175, but I don't remember being able to find one.
Ended up putting a 160 in it.
Driving around normally this time of year, it doesn't even care. Still warms up pretty quick. But definitely runs cooler on the highway and stays noticeably cooler with cold ambient temps.
When I had that thermostat and the stock radiator, it almost didn't make a difference. It wouldn't run any cooler really but it just took a tiny bit longer to warm up.
The gold case, we'll see how it does this winter. I might be cruising down the freeway at 160 or 170. Lol

I don't remember what temperature the whole cat warm up and open/closed loop stuff happens, but I do remember that it was under that temperature.

 

[donjetman]

Is there a chance my A/C compressor or tensioner or belt is putting too much strain on the engine and not spinning as freely as it should?

No
x2 What Geotrash/Dave said

 

[riveted]

Hey Geo. Can you give us new guys a run down of your modifications? After 50 pages it is hard to keep track...

Thanks.

 

[George B]

Hey Geo. Can you give us new guys a run down of your modifications? After 50 pages it is hard to keep track...

Thanks.

@Geotrash