Trucool LPD4542 Transmission Cooler Install on 2011 Camry 2.5 SE

Just as the title states, I installed a Trucool LPD4542 (low pressure drop) external transmission cooler, as well as did a drain and refill with Valvoline Maxlife on my 2011 Camry SE 2.5 with the U760E 6spd auto.

First off, this was the original Toyota ATF fluid in the transmission since being bought in 2011. The fluid had 215,000 miles on it. I'm the second owner of the vehicle and the previous owner stated they never had it changed.

Prior to draining the fluid, the transmission was a little sluggish during shifts, felt lazy. And there was this weird torque converter lock/unlock happening under light throttle during takeoff. It would shift into 3rd or 4th, lockup, then immediately unlock back down a gear. Only did this under light throttle.

Also, while driving with the original ATF fluid with 215k miles on it... I was using my OBDLink with bluetooth datalogger on my phone, I recorded temps of 215*F while cruising and when going WOT, it would spike to 225*F.

I drained exactly 4 quarts of fluid from the pan, and as shown from the pics below, it had some age. It smelled horrible and was almost like water. Also, at the bottom of the drip container I used after disposing of the old fluid, there was a bunch of black smega crunchies (clutch/friction material) in the bottom of the pan.

I refilled with Valvoline maxlife, I used 4.25 quarts due to the addition of the external trans cooler and a small sample I took to send out to Blackstone Labs for an oil analysis for shits n giggles.

Now for the Trucool LPD4542 external transmission cooler installation. I didn't take a ton of pics, but there are enough to get the fundamentals of the install.

Here is the factory layout of the U760E Camry 2.5 transmission SUPPLY and RETURN lines from the transmission housing into the factory transmission fluid cooler/warmer. It's actually a warmer to help bring ATF to operating temps quicker in colder climates. ( I used HARDTOPTE72 writeup to find out which lines were Supply and Return). Below image is the factory ATF fluid line routing.

This is the TRUCOOL LPD4542 (Low pressure drop) external cooler I used. It comes with 3/8" fluid line, brackets and hardware for universal installation. I also bought two Hayden 106 kits, which is 4.5ft x 3/8" transmission line. I would also invest in some new hose clamps, just in case your OEM aren't reusable or rusty.

Tru Cool utilize a Low Pressure Drop internally passive system.

Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) is more viscous when it’s colder. Tru-Cool Low Pressure Drop (LPD) Transmission coolers have a unique cold weather passive bypass that allows the thicker ATF to flow more efficiently through the cooler at the top of the system.

As operating temperatures increase, the ATF heats up and becomes thinner. The Tru-Cool system then directs the ATF through the core, where it is cooled.

Now for the installation

Red line is SUPPLY from transmission housing into the OEM cooler.
Green is the RETURN line leaving OEM cooler and going back into the transmission housing.

Below is how I connected and routed the LPD4542 transmission cooler fluid lines.

Looking from the top of engine bay down. The cooler is mounted to the center core support (hood latch and horn mounting location) with the inlet/outlets facing the driver side.

As you can see, the RED arrow is the fluid line exiting the outlet of the OEM cooler and then feeds hot fluid into the top inlet of the LPD4542.

The Green arrow is the line that takes the cooled fluid and routes it back the RETURN line fitting on the transmission housing.

Some exterior views of the transmission cooler mounted and has a direct air path of the lower grill.

In summary, the installation was pretty straight forward. After filling the new fluid and running through each of the gears, then checking for leaks, everything was good to go.

I went for about a 30 min drive, and with the cooler, the transmission temps stayed between 170-172*F while cruising at 60mph. During idle, say like in a drive through, the hottest temp reached was 182*F. These ATF temp readings were pulled from OBD PIDs. I don't know where the sensor is located, so i'm assuming its pan temp? Either way, the temp reduction is 40*F+ and consistent compared to before.

The U760E shifts so much better overall, there is zero flare, no weird converter lockup/unlock at the partial throttle I experienced prior. The shifts also seem firmer by about 15-20% than before with the old fluid.

Most of the better shift feel quality is from changing the fluid, and the external cooler is an addition i've ran on a lot of my vehicles without issue and to help with longevity.

Hope this helps anyone looking to add a trans cooler on their U760E vehicle.