360 gearbox cooler delete?

This style of heat exchanger also serves as a warmer for the gearbox fluid, cleanup is a PIA, but why change from stock? It works.

 

I concur.

 

Yeah, you don't need that. Just delete it.

 

Mine is deleted and everything is fine.

 

Image Unavailable, Please Login
You would be better off putting in the upgraded version on the right end of problem

 

Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Another view the holes in the upgrade are smaller and more pipes

 

I have had requests to delete them, and have done so. I install new lines modified to work with an external cooler which I mount in the opening behined the rear wheel. The wheel well cover needs to be cut open to allow the air flow and a screen installed. Mounting brackets need to be made up for the cooler, the lines modified to fit the cooler..etc.

That said..its cheaper to replace the stock unit.

 

who makes this upgraded version?

 

Alex at Daytona auto in Ontario Canada.

 

Just changed mine, as PM sinceI had the intake off. Original lasted for 55k, with proper maintenance, my new one should last past 100k. under $500 to replace. No need to get cute.

 

You have been told a lie. Intake does not need to be removed either..

 

Here’s a pic from my spider moments before I pulled the exchanger. Just go through the belt access cover and pull the water pump first.
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Roof does not have to come off. I have seen a heat exchanger replacement and a bypass done without removing the water pump or the intake!!

 

How is the bypass done? What components are used? Just curious.

 

Mine was replaced with the upgraded one from Daytona (made with a different material) and the roof did not have to be taken off.
Now that I am personally taking care of the cooling system (changing the fluid every 2 years) I will no longer worry about this item failing (fingers crossed)

However, at any hint of degradation of this HX I will eliminate it.

 

The only materials used was a good quality coolant hose. He just took his time and got the clamps off, slid the heat exchanger out and replaced it with the hose and new clamps. It was magic to watch!!!

 

Can folks who have deleted the cooler altogether share their post-install feedback?

I am thinking (1) this is a heater more than a cooler as the gear oil takes longer to warm up than does the water and perhaps Ferrari was addressing its notorious difficulty of shifting into second gear until the gearbox was warmed up?

(2) is this really a cooler that is needed? Does the gearbox in the F355 really run that hot that it needs an external cooler?

For those who have bypassed, any cold shifting issues? Any overheating gearbox issues?

 

Without personal experience (which I will soon have, as I've got a leak too) I'm guessing that "it depends" and Ferrari has done it for a reason, to address various conditions.

So for someone racing and overheating gearbox, or driving in a polar bear country and needing gearbox warmed up - a new heat exchanger is needed.

With reasonable street driving in a climate like Florida I think we can live without it. Unless originality is important.

 

You can live without it. Do the loop bypass and you will be just fine. As stated it is not really a cooler..it's more of a heater then anything. If you are really concerned, you could add a remote cooler rather easily.

 

Bypassed 5 years ago and loving it!!!! Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Mine failed and I replaced it with an OEM unit. It was an absolute PIA. However, Ferrari did the R&D and put one in for a reason. The Challenge cars have a cooler that is external to the V, which is nice.
Image Unavailable, Please Login