Recommended Transmission Cooler for a 2013 Chevrolet Tahoe with the 5.3L V8 Engine

Updated 03/18/2025 | Published 12/04/2017

Products Featured in This Question

Derale Series 8000 Plate-Fin Transmission Cooler Kit w/Barb Inlets - Class IV - Efficient

(867)

$120.43

Derale 25-Row, High-Performance, Stacked-Plate Cooler with -6 AN Fittings - Class V

(3)

$248.00

Derale -6 AN Female Swivel x 3/8" Barb Hose Fitting

(4)

$7.58

Question:

I was originally looking at the D13504 but after additional reading, I wondering if the D52506 would work better? I have the 5.3 liter v8 4wd. Thanks for your help.

asked by: Josh

Expert Reply:

The best transmission cooler to use on your 2013 Chevrolet Tahoe will be the largest one you have space available for in front of your radiator/condenser behind your grill. Unfortunately, we have not test fit any transmissions coolers on your Tahoe yet but we have test fit the Derale Series 8000 Plate-Fin Transmission Cooler Kit part # D13504 on a similar 2009 GMC Yukon and found this to be a good fit therefore will more than likely work for you as well. This cooler will do a great job keeping your transmission cool while towing and as long as you have 11" wide x 12" tall x 7/8" deep of space to mount the cooler in front of your radiator/condenser behind your grill.

I have attached a review and installation video of the above cooler installed on that very same Yukon for you as well.

expert reply by: Conner L

Josh

12/4/2017

I was originally looking at the D13504 but after additional reading, I wondering if the D52506 would work better? I have the 5.3 liter v8 4wd. Thanks for your help.

Conner L.

12/4/2017

The Derale 25-Row, High-Performance, Stacked-Plate Cooler with -6 AN Fittings part # D52506 will offer more cooling power than the Derale Series 8000 Plate-Fin Transmission Cooler Kit part # D13504. The only difference between the two is in relation to the larger turbulators that offers higher air flow on the performance cooler. This basically boils down to size/efficiency. The 8K Series cooler will have a slightly larger surface area but the 25 row will be more efficient. As long as you have 13" wide x 9-3/16" tall x 2" deep of space to mount the cooler in front of your radiator/condenser behind your grill then this will work well for you. Unless you will be using the AN fittings included in the kit, you may also want to consider the Derale -6 AN Female Swivel x 3/8" Barb Hose Fitting part # D98200.

Darin H.

3/17/2025

I am finding that I need to buy hose that fits 3/8 transmission line and a different fitting for the radiator my 2016 Silverado has a 9/16-18 male fitting. The fitting that came with the kit is too small and the hose is for 5/16 inside diameter. Is this a common problem for. Derale Series 8000 Plate-Fin Transmission Cooler Kit w/Barb Inlets - Class IV - Efficient Part Number: D13504

Kate F.

3/18/2025

@DarinH Hello Darin, I am sorry to hear that things are not matching up for you. As you know the Derale 8000 Series Cooler # D13504 comes with 5/16” ID hose and standard barb fittings, but since your 2016 Silverado uses a 9/16-18 male fitting with a 3/8” transmission line, which is a bit larger than what’s included in the kit. Unfortunately, Derale doesn’t offer an adapter for this specific size. I reached out to the tech at Derale and you have a couple of options. One is to find an adapter fitting that converts the 9/16-18 male connection to a 3/8” barb or AN fitting, which would allow you to use a 3/8” transmission hose instead of the 5/16” hose in the kit. Another option is to run the cooler as a standalone unit instead of in series with the factory cooler, though that may slightly reduce cooling efficiency. If you can find an adapter that steps down to 5/16", you could technically use the hose that came with the kit, but ideally, upgrading to a 3/8” transmission hose with matching fittings would be the best way to go. Let me know what you decide to do =)