::: DRO ::: Tech Section - Keep Your Cool

One way to increase the cooling efficiency of any system is to upgrade the cooling unit itself. Another is to add more fluid capacity. Combining the two is the function of the TFC. The CNC-machined TFC reservoir augments the existing cooling system by adding up to four quarts of transmission fluid, and acts as a cooling unit thanks to radial heat dissipation fins. The added fluid in conjunction greater cooling efficiency brings not only a reduction in fluid temperature, but also less stress on the fluid itself, as there's more of it to go around.

This is where consistency comes in. Overall temperature remains stable even deep into hot lapping, and predictable temperature stability adds up to improved consistency. Greater efficiency can be attained by upgrading the cooler and the transmission pan in conjunction with a TFC installation. This is the setup George and Jennibella Lara's Chevy Camaro bracket car for testing under hot lap conditions out at the track.

Out at LACR, temperature gun testing revealed the results. This graph shows the overall reduction in temperature over the stock cooling system.

George, with wife Jenibella behind the wheel, run the LS1-powered Camaro bracket racer into the tens thanks to a performance workover. The LS1 packs a more aggressive cam, drinks more fuel thanks to larger injectors, and breathes deeper thanks to some head work and some creative tuning. A B&M TH400 sporting a transbrake sits behind the LS1 and handles getting all that power to the ground.

While the TFC comes with brackets and can be mounted most anywhere, George fabricated a set of mounting brackets out of sheet metal specifically for the Camaro for a super sano install. Since the TFC requires high pressure lines for both input and output, George called on Orme Brothers, Inc. of Northridge, CA, for a set of transmission fluid lines that would thread up to the standard 1/2 inch NPT fittings that came with the cooler and TFC.

Out at Los Angeles County Raceway the Camaro was hot lapped before and after the install and measurements taken with a heat gun at inlet and outlet points over the course of three consecutive runs. The TFC system not only dropped temperature across the board but also smoothed out temperature differences to one degree even after the consecutive runs. When fractions of a second count, consistency is what it's all about, and the TFC delivers.