Fellow owners,
As all of you may be aware, one of the small short-cuts that Ford took with the GT is deciding not to include a transaxle cooler as an installed option. On the Ford Racing Parts website, Ford says the cooler is , "A must for aggressive driving and open track events." Further, you can tell that Ford was very close to having this as an installed option - even going so far as installing the fittings and a short length of braided steel hose "looping" the transaxle outlet to the inlet. Also, how many times have we heard about issues related to engine heat-soak as well as that pesky (leaky) breather valve on the transaxle. All of these annoyances are related to issues of heat and many are of the opinion that a transaxle cooler is a significant benefit and "safe insurance" to keep operating temperatures in check.
Currently, Ford Racing is the only game in town and several people have been very disappointed in what they have received. On May 20, "Indy GT" posted this message on the forums.
"I received the transaxle cooled kit from ford motor racing and am quite disappointed is has no install instructions whatsoever. A heat exchanger, line fitting assembly and bag of two AN fittings and 3 bolts. After waiting months for delivery (see previous backorder posts) this is not what I was expecting. Any help as to where to get installation instructions, and/or picture posts?"
To add insult to injury, Ford's cooler kit is priced at $1279. I'm not sure if all Ford Racing distributors pay the same, but one source told me his cost was $1180. So, it is doubtful that you can expect to get much of a discount. I suspect that kit cost and installation cost is what has caused many people to postpone a decision.
So, how about a great alternative that is an improvement over the Ford Racing option and which also costs less and is easier/less expensive to install?
I have just completed a complete custom kit for the GT and I am in-process to have kits put together and made available to the GT community.
The development criteria for a "better" custom GT transaxle cooler was as follows;
1. Functional. As good or better than Ford's alternative
2. Easy to Install. Give owners the option to install it themselves.
3. Aesthetically complementary to the GT engine compartment.
4. High quality lines, superior line routing and stays. (No wire ties!!)
5. The best quality components - Cooler, Lines, Fittings, Instructions
6. Absolutely NO drilling/cutting/tapping, or modification to the GT
7. A realistic price point.
Now that the kit is completed, I can say that we have met all of the design objectives.
In short, this kit employs a slightly larger cooler than the one offered by Ford and the bracket, lines and stand-offs have been designed to enhance the appearance of the engine compartment. The placement of the cooler is nearly identical to the Ford solution - utilizing incoming air from the passenger side air scoop.
Another benefit is that this kit can be installed by an owner with average mechanical skills. Unlike the Ford Racing Kit where you need to lift the car and remove the pans to properly fill the transaxle, this kit can be installed with no car lifting or pan removal! So, even if you're not a do-it-yourself-er, you can have this kit installed for a fraction of the cost.
The first 12 kits already have names on them from a pre-announcement I did with the California guys. These first kits will be available in approximately 10-14 days.
I've planned on batches of 20 units thereafter, and I can likely crank that number up or down depending on demand.
The initial price of the kit is $795 and it will be complete. (Shipping extra.) You will just need to add (<1 qt) Ford GT-Spec 75W-90 transaxle lubricant. As the stuff is hard to find and expensive, I may purchase some by the case and make it available as an option with the kit. (Stay tuned.) Speaking of options, the kit will include lines made from the latest and greatest Earl's Pro-Lite 350 which has an abrassive resistant nylon weave sheathing. These black braided lines not only match the existing lines in the GT, but they are also significantly lighter (and more expensive) than conventional stainless steel braided line. The fittings are also Earl's in the conventional blue/red annodize color as shown. You can tell me if you prefer all-black AN fittings and I can assemble the hoses accordingly.
So, please send me a PM or e-mail to let me know if you are intested to purchase this transaxle kit. Hearing from you will help me to gauge production rate so that I can hopefully meet everyone's expectations.
Here's a picture of the unit installed in my car. More pics to follow soon.
As all of you may be aware, one of the small short-cuts that Ford took with the GT is deciding not to include a transaxle cooler as an installed option. On the Ford Racing Parts website, Ford says the cooler is , "A must for aggressive driving and open track events." Further, you can tell that Ford was very close to having this as an installed option - even going so far as installing the fittings and a short length of braided steel hose "looping" the transaxle outlet to the inlet. Also, how many times have we heard about issues related to engine heat-soak as well as that pesky (leaky) breather valve on the transaxle. All of these annoyances are related to issues of heat and many are of the opinion that a transaxle cooler is a significant benefit and "safe insurance" to keep operating temperatures in check.
Currently, Ford Racing is the only game in town and several people have been very disappointed in what they have received. On May 20, "Indy GT" posted this message on the forums.
"I received the transaxle cooled kit from ford motor racing and am quite disappointed is has no install instructions whatsoever. A heat exchanger, line fitting assembly and bag of two AN fittings and 3 bolts. After waiting months for delivery (see previous backorder posts) this is not what I was expecting. Any help as to where to get installation instructions, and/or picture posts?"
To add insult to injury, Ford's cooler kit is priced at $1279. I'm not sure if all Ford Racing distributors pay the same, but one source told me his cost was $1180. So, it is doubtful that you can expect to get much of a discount. I suspect that kit cost and installation cost is what has caused many people to postpone a decision.
So, how about a great alternative that is an improvement over the Ford Racing option and which also costs less and is easier/less expensive to install?
I have just completed a complete custom kit for the GT and I am in-process to have kits put together and made available to the GT community.
The development criteria for a "better" custom GT transaxle cooler was as follows;
1. Functional. As good or better than Ford's alternative
2. Easy to Install. Give owners the option to install it themselves.
3. Aesthetically complementary to the GT engine compartment.
4. High quality lines, superior line routing and stays. (No wire ties!!)
5. The best quality components - Cooler, Lines, Fittings, Instructions
6. Absolutely NO drilling/cutting/tapping, or modification to the GT
7. A realistic price point.
Now that the kit is completed, I can say that we have met all of the design objectives.
In short, this kit employs a slightly larger cooler than the one offered by Ford and the bracket, lines and stand-offs have been designed to enhance the appearance of the engine compartment. The placement of the cooler is nearly identical to the Ford solution - utilizing incoming air from the passenger side air scoop.
Another benefit is that this kit can be installed by an owner with average mechanical skills. Unlike the Ford Racing Kit where you need to lift the car and remove the pans to properly fill the transaxle, this kit can be installed with no car lifting or pan removal! So, even if you're not a do-it-yourself-er, you can have this kit installed for a fraction of the cost.
The first 12 kits already have names on them from a pre-announcement I did with the California guys. These first kits will be available in approximately 10-14 days.
I've planned on batches of 20 units thereafter, and I can likely crank that number up or down depending on demand.
The initial price of the kit is $795 and it will be complete. (Shipping extra.) You will just need to add (<1 qt) Ford GT-Spec 75W-90 transaxle lubricant. As the stuff is hard to find and expensive, I may purchase some by the case and make it available as an option with the kit. (Stay tuned.) Speaking of options, the kit will include lines made from the latest and greatest Earl's Pro-Lite 350 which has an abrassive resistant nylon weave sheathing. These black braided lines not only match the existing lines in the GT, but they are also significantly lighter (and more expensive) than conventional stainless steel braided line. The fittings are also Earl's in the conventional blue/red annodize color as shown. You can tell me if you prefer all-black AN fittings and I can assemble the hoses accordingly.
So, please send me a PM or e-mail to let me know if you are intested to purchase this transaxle kit. Hearing from you will help me to gauge production rate so that I can hopefully meet everyone's expectations.
Here's a picture of the unit installed in my car. More pics to follow soon.
