Intercooled 1HDT / A442F durability

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M

Martin White

Joined
Mar 31, 2006
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Abbotsford, B.C.
Has anyone run a Safari intercooler and a 1HDT without upgrading the stock transmission and had good results? I'm thinking that if you have an AT temp gauge and don't overheat the transmission, that this might be a viable option. Most of the recommendations are that you have to do the extreme upgrade if you intercool a 1HDT, but the orginal Aussie tests of the Safari intercooler never mention this upgrade, so I'm wondering if it's really necessary.

My use of the intercooler would only be for momentary passing power or acceleration onto the freeway. I'm not planning on towing heavy trailers and would closely watch AT temps to ensure no overheating. Anyone have any comments on this? I'm just thinking out loud, so far.
 
I was looking into this upgrade also but have been advised against it based on cost/benefit. Some of the stock imports with intercoolers (not oem but installed in Japan) require a signifcant amount of setup and cost vs. hp is very high. I'm sure you'll do the due dilligence though - I have never been a believer in the exhaust as an overall power improvement but I have noticed a significant difference since this mod and have no issues passing at all. Could it be in my head??:D

I'm merging on the hwy each day with a very short onramp and am up to 110 in no time - curious if maybe you'd benefit from the Valve Body Upgrade to improve shifts?
 
Martin .. your plan include more boost . ?

I'm pretty sure one A442 in good shape can handle easy 20 or 30 more HP with respective torque .. the question is .. your tranny is in shape .?
 
Martin White said:
Has anyone run a Safari intercooler and a 1HDT without upgrading the stock transmission and had good results? I'm thinking that if you have an AT temp gauge and don't overheat the transmission, that this might be a viable option. Most of the recommendations are that you have to do the extreme upgrade if you intercool a 1HDT, but the orginal Aussie tests of the Safari intercooler never mention this upgrade, so I'm wondering if it's really necessary.

My use of the intercooler would only be for momentary passing power or acceleration onto the freeway. I'm not planning on towing heavy trailers and would closely watch AT temps to ensure no overheating. Anyone have any comments on this? I'm just thinking out loud, so far.
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My auto HDJ81 is intercooled. You need to watch the tranny temps on *long* uphills out of overdrive (I find best to keep the revs up around 2600 rpm to avoid overheating the T/C). But for passing power/cooking up hills in O/D, and for keeping the EGTs low I think the intercooler is great. I don't think the tranny is a limiting factor with this engine.
 
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Tapage, I wasn't planning on going with more boost. Perhaps a little more fuel but nothing else. I keep reading different things about this mod. I saw an Aussie review of a Safari I/C install and there was no mention of anything to do with a tranny upgrade. I'm thinking I'm going to look into this a little more because of all the differences of opinion. There seems to be no consensus. I agree it's not cost effective. It makes little economic sense. But then, neither does my truck. I could get around in an econobox, but that's not nearly as much fun. Basically, this truck is my toy, and as long as it's reliable, I'll keep playing.

As far as I know, my tranny is in really good shape. Never overheated that I know of and seems to work perfectly, fluids are good and have never been burnt (that I know of).
 
Martin White said:
Tapage, I wasn't planning on going with more boost. Perhaps a little more fuel but nothing else. I keep reading different things about this mod. I saw an Aussie review of a Safari I/C install and there was no mention of anything to do with a tranny upgrade. I'm thinking I'm going to look into this a little more because of all the differences of opinion. There seems to be no consensus. I agree it's not cost effective. It makes little economic sense. But then, neither does my truck. I could get around in an econobox, but that's not nearly as much fun. Basically, this truck is my toy, and as long as it's reliable, I'll keep playing.

As far as I know, my tranny is in really good shape. Never overheated that I know of and seems to work perfectly, fluids are good and have never been burnt (that I know of).
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I wouldnt worry about it. Towing heavy loads for long periods probably streeses the transmission more.
Add one of those tranny coolers Ishobie is using on his customers HZJ73 ,cheap and easy to install;)
 
Great thanks Rosco. That's more or less what I was thinking.
 
Since I first posted this, I've done a lot of followup. I've learned that Ateb will custom build an intercooler they feel will be superior to the Safari for about 500 less than a Safari. Ateb's i/c would be all stainless instead of aluminum. However, they insist that a tranny upgrade and a 3" exhaust are also essential. Given the cost of all this, about $8000 Cdn, I've decided it's not worth it. It would sure be fun. Maybe if I win a lottery.
 
Martin White said:
Since I first posted this, I've done a lot of followup. I've learned that Ateb will custom build an intercooler they feel will be superior to the Safari for about 500 less than a Safari. Ateb's i/c would be all stainless instead of aluminum. However, they insist that a tranny upgrade and a 3" exhaust are also essential. Given the cost of all this, about $8000 Cdn, I've decided it's not worth it. It would sure be fun. Maybe if I win a lottery.
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What tranny upgrade do they insist on? Rodney's? Or are they just talking about extra cooling? AFAIK there are hordes of '80s in Oz with intercoolers on the stock tranny.
 
They don't insist, they just "strongly recommend". They like the extreme upgrade.
 
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