This product review will go over the quality, installation, fitment, and function of a Mishimoto 7.3L transmission cooler upgrade.
Ford motor company made an amazing heavy duty truck for the 1999 – 2003 model years. These trucks were powered by the legendary 7.3L Powerstroke diesel engine. However, the 4R100 automatic transmission is well known for overheating and suffering reliability issues as a result. At the core of this problem is the very small transmission cooler in this truck. Fortunately, there are OEM and aftermarket solutions available. These upgrades will more effectively cool your Ford transmission while extending its life. One of those upgrades being the Mishimoto 7.3L transmission cooler, which we will be installing and reviewing in this article. Other alternatives are the OEM Ford 6.0 transmission cooler, straight from the 6.0L trucks! So, if you are looking to reduce transmission temperatures and extend the life of your drivetrain, you’ve come to the right place. For more powertrain upgrades to your 7.3L Powerstroke, consider checking out my 4″ exhaust upgrade and S&B cold air intake upgrade.
Quality
Mishimoto makes no expense when it comes to the quality of their products. Even the box and packing was top notch when I received my 7.3L transmission cooler. The cooler itself is solid and well made, with clean welds and sleek design. In addition, the transmission cooler was painted completely with the Mishimoto logo stamped on the front. Very cool! The mounting brackets, hoses, and hose fittings are also high end. This is sometimes an area where manufacturers will skimp on to save cost. Overall, the Mishimoto cooler is a high end product.
Installation
The installation process for this cooler is fairly straightforward, maybe even easier than the OEM 6.0 transmission cooler option out there. You do not have to modify any parts or pieces and it bolts up right to the OEM mount points. There are a couple awkward spots where you have to maneuver tools in order to remove the mounting bolts. However, other than that the job is not too bad, it just takes some time. My video below covers the installation of the Mishimoto 7.3L transmission cooler in detail. This should also apply to the installation of a 6.0 transmission cooler as well.
Fitment
As mentioned above, the fitment of the cooler is pretty dang good. It uses the OEM mounting points to bolt the transmission cooler into place. Plus, it utilizes the OEM transmission fluid feed and return lines. You do get new hoses as well, since they are slightly different lengths than the OEM hoses. Once the cooler is installed and in to place, it is like an OEM part. Fits like a glove!
Function
So, the Mishimoto 7.3L transmission cooler looks pretty and it is very large. But, does it do what it is supposed to do and lower transmission temperatures? In my testing, the answer is a resounding YES! For my racing adventures, I make the same ~500 mile towing trip multiple times a year, towing a 24′ enclosed trailer. Prior to installing my Mishimoto 7.3L transmission cooler, I was averaging about 215° – 220° Fahrenheit max, towing at 75MPH!
After I installed the cooler, I was consistently staying in the ~170° – 180° Fahrenheit range, tops! This upgrade is probably the single best upgrade I have done to my Ford F250 Powerstroke diesel truck to date. For a size reference, take a look at the photo below. The OEM cooler is tiny compared to the 37 row Mishimoto cooler!
Rating
The Mishimoto 7.3L transmission cooler checks all of the boxes and makes a huge difference in transmission temps. 5 out of 5 stars is the only way to go with this product!
Mishimoto 7.3L transmission cooler rating : 5 out of 5 stars
For roughly $350.00, you can purchase the Mishimoto 7.3L transmission cooler for your 7.3L Powerstroke at the link below.
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