This post will cover installing and a review of the Black Magic Brakes -8 Steering Cooler kit with the optional Setrab (53-10748-01) transmission cooler. I am installing this kit on my 2006 TJ Unlimited Rubicon. It is equipped with the 42rle automatic transmission. This thread will have multiple posts covering install and review at the end.
There are some good resources on the forum covering related topics. I used them as reference when I was installing this kit. They are attached below to help with installation.
PSC Hydro-Assist Installation Instructions (Using Black Magic Kit)
Setrab transmission oil cooler 53-10748 reference pictures to aid some installs
How to Install the Black Magic Brakes -8 Steering Cooler Kit with V Bar
The Black Magic Brakes -8 TJ Steering Cooler Kit w/Grill V Mount, Hose and Fittings arrived quickly, as expected packaging and contents were top notch. As noted on the website, the Setrab cooler is not included. Below are images of the contents. *Note, The fittings and hose pictured above the Setrab transmission cooler are for it. If you are installing the Setrab, I highly suggest contacting Blaine for these fittings. It makes the install more enjoyable.
Before diving into the install, I want to cover my current set up and experience. I have been running PSC's Hydro assist kit. This kit was installed about 3 years ago. It included their gear box, pump, cooler, and reservoir. This kit made a night and day difference with steering power. But unfortunately when fast steering input was given, I could feel the steering wheel become harder to turn. I changed the mounting location of the reservoir so it was closer and a more direct feed into the pump. My hope being it would resolve the issue I was experiencing, it did not. After chatting with Blaine, The next suspect was the -6 return line. PSC's kit is plumbed using -6 for the return. Blaine's -8 kit is designed around high flow, high pressure and low restriction on the return side. This kit replaces all the -6 return components and upgrades them to -8. Below are images of the PSC -6 return.
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I opted to remove the grille to install the coolers and V mount. The power steering cooler may be installed with the grille still on the vehicle, but fighting the transmission cooler into place wasn't something I wanted to try. First I prepped the V bar and coolers. A coat of black paint was done on the brackets. To prep the coolers install the threaded adapters in both the Derale and the Setrab. The adapters should be installed with red Loctite. (NO Loctite on the AN side). This acts as a thread sealant and insures the adapters wont move when installing the AN fittings. Word from the wise, The Setrab is delicate, use a wrench to hold the boss when installing the adapter. Following the instructions found in the Black Magic Kit, mount the power steering cooler and transmission cooler using the suggested hardware. When completed the V mount with the coolers will be ready to install inside the grille.
Install the V mount with the coolers into the grille using the included hardware. If installing the Setrab, now is the time to cut holes in the air dam. I used a hole saw. I installed Blaine's fitting on the side of the transmission cooler. This fitting helps get the hose down and out of the grille ready for the AN fitting. Installing this cooler without this fitting would not be fun. Space is tight! Take your time. The last thing I wanted is to have issues that required pulling the grille.
Find the new included well nuts. Note that 2 of the well nuts have a thicker flange. These go at the bottom of the grille. The thinner flanges go to at the top of the grille. Install the well nuts with some super glue under the flange to keep them in place.
Below is an image of the grille ready to be reinstalled. Double check your work here. Make sure adapters are tight. You can see the transmission cooler fitting on the right side, it is tight and ready for the AN fitting. Access to the coolers and fittings gets harder from here on out.
Next post will include grille reinstall and hose routing.
There are some good resources on the forum covering related topics. I used them as reference when I was installing this kit. They are attached below to help with installation.
PSC Hydro-Assist Installation Instructions (Using Black Magic Kit)
Setrab transmission oil cooler 53-10748 reference pictures to aid some installs
How to Install the Black Magic Brakes -8 Steering Cooler Kit with V Bar
The Black Magic Brakes -8 TJ Steering Cooler Kit w/Grill V Mount, Hose and Fittings arrived quickly, as expected packaging and contents were top notch. As noted on the website, the Setrab cooler is not included. Below are images of the contents. *Note, The fittings and hose pictured above the Setrab transmission cooler are for it. If you are installing the Setrab, I highly suggest contacting Blaine for these fittings. It makes the install more enjoyable.
Before diving into the install, I want to cover my current set up and experience. I have been running PSC's Hydro assist kit. This kit was installed about 3 years ago. It included their gear box, pump, cooler, and reservoir. This kit made a night and day difference with steering power. But unfortunately when fast steering input was given, I could feel the steering wheel become harder to turn. I changed the mounting location of the reservoir so it was closer and a more direct feed into the pump. My hope being it would resolve the issue I was experiencing, it did not. After chatting with Blaine, The next suspect was the -6 return line. PSC's kit is plumbed using -6 for the return. Blaine's -8 kit is designed around high flow, high pressure and low restriction on the return side. This kit replaces all the -6 return components and upgrades them to -8. Below are images of the PSC -6 return.
.
I opted to remove the grille to install the coolers and V mount. The power steering cooler may be installed with the grille still on the vehicle, but fighting the transmission cooler into place wasn't something I wanted to try. First I prepped the V bar and coolers. A coat of black paint was done on the brackets. To prep the coolers install the threaded adapters in both the Derale and the Setrab. The adapters should be installed with red Loctite. (NO Loctite on the AN side). This acts as a thread sealant and insures the adapters wont move when installing the AN fittings. Word from the wise, The Setrab is delicate, use a wrench to hold the boss when installing the adapter. Following the instructions found in the Black Magic Kit, mount the power steering cooler and transmission cooler using the suggested hardware. When completed the V mount with the coolers will be ready to install inside the grille.
Install the V mount with the coolers into the grille using the included hardware. If installing the Setrab, now is the time to cut holes in the air dam. I used a hole saw. I installed Blaine's fitting on the side of the transmission cooler. This fitting helps get the hose down and out of the grille ready for the AN fitting. Installing this cooler without this fitting would not be fun. Space is tight! Take your time. The last thing I wanted is to have issues that required pulling the grille.
Find the new included well nuts. Note that 2 of the well nuts have a thicker flange. These go at the bottom of the grille. The thinner flanges go to at the top of the grille. Install the well nuts with some super glue under the flange to keep them in place.
Below is an image of the grille ready to be reinstalled. Double check your work here. Make sure adapters are tight. You can see the transmission cooler fitting on the right side, it is tight and ready for the AN fitting. Access to the coolers and fittings gets harder from here on out.
Next post will include grille reinstall and hose routing.
