Caulk04 - Transmission Cooler Upgrade!! This S--T Is Real!

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CanuckRam1313

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So, to start. I am an experienced vehicle owner in performance, predictive and proactive maintenance, and no damn snake oil BS!!!

I've a 2019 Ram Sport Express with the HEMI and 8spd trans. While I'm new to our present community, I am no n00b to MOPAR or the culture!

That said, I was fortunate enough to be connected to Jesse (Caulko4) on our Forum here, and he was kind enough to assist in providing me with his custom designed transmission cooler upgrade.

I have recently had it installed by an experienced MOPAR tech that specializes in the 8spd trans and HEMI's. My tech was blown away that the trans temps immediately dropped 35+deg/cel - yes, I'm a Canadian.. :) under full operating temps, under load, and on the highway where he could vary the throttle input.

I have immediately felt the benefits of this upgrade in terms of a happier transmission with smoother and tighter shifting.

The other thing I have noticed is that my overall engine operating temp has dropped by a few deg/cel as well under load on the HWY. I say this as I pay attention to my temp readings continually on my EVIC display and have noticed it there and on the dash temp gauge as well as it is a notch lower on the temp scale now vs. before the upgrade.

Anyhoo - this is all to say that I give respect to Jesse (Caull04) on his fantastic design, and for helping me have a better ownership experience. It's people like you Sir that make the culture great!

To any who read this and consider it; HIGHLY recommend this upgrade to you 8spd owners for a happier trans - we all know that high heat is the #1 destroyer of transmissions!
 

clark17

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Massive props to Caulk04! I got mine yesterday, installed it today. Took a typical drive this afternoon, 68 degrees, sunny, nice fall day in Georgia. Before, transmission would run around 175-185. With Jesse's bypass installed, the highest I saw was 127. About 50 degrees cooler!
 

Ram150022

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I've read that for every 10 dev F above 175 degrees F the useful life of the transmission fluid decreases by 50%.
 

Burla

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Great info, seriously a bad design to manufacturer transmissions to run hotter. It really makes you wonder about the people who think for us.
 

Buddy

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Out of curiousity, does he have a site to learn more about it, or is this more word of mouth? I am definetly interested in this product. As said, heat is the worst thing for any transmission's life.
 

Wild one

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Out of curiousity, does he have a site to learn more about it, or is this more word of mouth? I am definetly interested in this product. As said, heat is the worst thing for any transmission's life.
 

Buddy

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Thank you!
 
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CanuckRam1313

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Out of curiousity, does he have a site to learn more about it, or is this more word of mouth? I am definetly interested in this product. As said, heat is the worst thing for any transmission's life.
As Wild One has posted; Caulk04's mod is the real deal, and the write up is on point.
Then add to this the word of mouth from those who use the product on their daily's and bigger power trucks, and it's a recipe for a happy transmission.

My only $0.02 on this mod, is if you're going to do it, couple it with a transmission filter and fluid service too, so you're getting the full benefit of it.

Nothing worse, in my opinion only, than cooling down ones transmission with a proven mod, while continuing to use the already worn and quality diminished fluid.
 

WFO2

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Will this fit a 2022 ? I only saw go to 2020 on the site . I would love to do that mod to my DT Ram .
 
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CanuckRam1313

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Will this fit a 2022 ? I only saw go to 2020 on the site . I would love to do that mod to my DT Ram .
My understanding is that this proven mod will work on the 8spd transmission, period.

However, I've no doubt that those much smarter than myself on these things will chime in.

Although, I do recommend that you reach out to Caulk04 personally and ask him as he is the one who designed and engineered this product for us all to benefit from.

Regardless, you'll be very happy with the results if this mod works with your truck.

From my personal experience only; my transmission is so much smoother now and just all around happier after installing this mod and having the transmission service done at the same time.
 
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i 100% agree with the thread.
putting aftermarket trans coolers is nothing new.
anyone can do it to any vehicle and assuming you put a gauge in it then yes definitely can tell differences in overall temps.
hot rodder's have used them as well as trucks that haul heavy loads.
case in point, the cooler you can keep the trans then the longer the life and the harder it will work.

I just made a 1000mile move cross country and never even got the truck hot. truck performed very well.
yes i installed one on my 2012 ram 1500 but got it from the local auto part store. i installed it in-line with the factory installed cooler just to be able to have more cores in the cooler. Not to mention that the factory one is part of the radiator.

Just an FYI in case finances are of concern.
 

Wild one

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i 100% agree with the thread.
putting aftermarket trans coolers is nothing new.
anyone can do it to any vehicle and assuming you put a gauge in it then yes definitely can tell differences in overall temps.
hot rodder's have used them as well as trucks that haul heavy loads.
case in point, the cooler you can keep the trans then the longer the life and the harder it will work.

I just made a 1000mile move cross country and never even got the truck hot. truck performed very well.
yes i installed one on my 2012 ram 1500 but got it from the local auto part store. i installed it in-line with the factory installed cooler just to be able to have more cores in the cooler. Not to mention that the factory one is part of the radiator.

Just an FYI in case finances are of concern.
Your RFE is a bit differant then an 8 speed.They didn't start installing a transmission thermostat on the RFE until 2013,and it was a limited install as some trucks got a thermostat and some didn't,while the 8 speed has always had a thermostat. So installing a seperate stand alone cooler on a later model RFE or the 8 speed with a transmission thermostat doesn't really accomplish as much as you'd think if the thermostat is still in the mix.
The guys with a later model truck using the 6 speed /RFE transmission can tell if their truck has the transmission thermostat by looking through the upper pass / left side of their grill.If you see an aluminium block in the upper corner with hardlines running to it,odds are your later model 6 speed has the thermostat assembly.There are delete kits available for it now,but back when i deleted it on my old 13,i just used transmission cooler hose to delete it.
 

caulk04

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Will this fit a 2022 ? I only saw go to 2020 on the site . I would love to do that mod to my DT Ram .
It should fit your truck, I'm unaware of any changes to the thermal unit on the trans to date. You can confirm a bit further by visually comparing the thermal unit on your truck with the first picture in my instructions linked below.

 
Joined
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stock 5.7 with 6.4l cam and MDS delete
Your RFE is a bit differant then an 8 speed.They didn't start installing a transmission thermostat on the RFE until 2013,and it was a limited install as some trucks got a thermostat and some didn't,while the 8 speed has always had a thermostat. So installing a seperate stand alone cooler on a later model RFE or the 8 speed with a transmission thermostat doesn't really accomplish as much as you'd think if the thermostat is still in the mix.
The guys with a later model truck using the 6 speed /RFE transmission can tell if their truck has the transmission thermostat by looking through the upper pass / left side of their grill.If you see an aluminium block in the upper corner with hardlines running to it,odds are your later model 6 speed has the thermostat assembly.There are delete kits available for it now,but back when i deleted it on my old 13,i just used transmission cooler hose to delete it.
thank you for the info. and yes mine is the 6 spd. im currently over seas so when i get back i will check it out. I dont remember having a "aluminum block" as you say but could be wrong.
 

Wild one

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thank you for the info. and yes mine is the 6 spd. im currently over seas so when i get back i will check it out. I dont remember having a "aluminum block" as you say but could be wrong.
2012 won't have it,as they didn't start implementing a thermostat on the RFE's till 2013,and not all 13's got it.
The transmission cooler is in the top part of your A/C condensor,and isn't part of the radiator
 
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