Transmission Cooler Kit - Heat Exchanger Delete (PRE-ORDER)

The DMS Transmission Cooler Kit is designed to address the known limitations of the factory transmission cooling system. This system replaces the restrictive OEM heat exchanger entirely with a dedicated, high-efficiency external cooling solution.

Built around a premium Setrab stacked plate cooler, the system improves fluid flow and reduces operating temperatures by isolating transmission cooling from engine heat. An integrated SPAL fan, controlled by a thermal activation switch, provides consistent, on-demand airflow in both low-speed and high-heat conditions.

At the core of the system is our proprietary mounting solution (patent pending), precision-formed from marine-grade 5052 aluminum. This design replaces the factory heat exchanger assembly, associated oil delivery and return tubes, and lower exhaust heat shields, delivering a clean, efficient, and fully reversible installation.

Each kit is a complete system and includes PTFE lines, performance-grade fittings, OEM sealing components, and custom aluminum heat shield replacements for both sides. These upgraded shields eliminate the factory fiberglass units and are designed for improved durability and heat management in demanding environments.

The factory transmission cooling system relies on a heat exchanger design that can restrict flow and introduce additional heat into the transmission fluid. Under load, this can result in elevated temperatures and reduced performance.

Additionally, the OEM heat exchanger presents a known failure risk. Internal leakage can allow engine coolant and transmission fluid to mix, potentially leading to serious damage, degraded lubrication properties, and in severe cases, complete transmission failure.

This system is engineered to deliver:

Part numbers are provided for reference. Variations may exist depending on model year and configuration.

Current pre-orders are estimated to ship within approximately 45 days. Each system is carefully assembled prior to shipment to ensure quality and completeness.

Early supporter pricing may be available for initial production units.

Proper installation, fluid routing, and system bleeding are critical to ensure correct operation. The installer is responsible for verifying all connections, clearances, and system functionality prior to vehicle operation.

Professional installation is recommended.

This product is intended for off-road and performance use. The purchaser and installer assume all responsibility for installation and use.

We are not responsible for any damage, injury, or loss resulting from improper installation, misuse, or failure to follow appropriate procedures.

By purchasing and installing this product, you acknowledge that modifications to a vehicle may affect its operation and reliability, and you accept all associated risks.

Anthony and Robert DeCuzzi are lifelong automotive enthusiasts with over four decades of experience in racing, restoration, and performance development.

After purchasing and maintaining multiple Ferrari 360s, we encountered recurring contamination and heat-related issues within the factory transmission cooling system, including on vehicles with previously replaced components.

Rather than accept the risk of failure, we engineered a complete external cooling solution and tested it extensively in real-world conditions.

Today, our system has accumulated over 20,000 combined miles without recurrence of the issues we originally set out to solve.

This kit was not created as an upgrade. It was developed as a solution.

The development of the DMS Transmission Cooler Kit began with a real-world problem we experienced firsthand—but it’s rooted in a much longer journey.

Our background in motorsports and vehicle development spans over four decades. Since the 1980s, we have been actively involved in racing cars, karts, and motorcycles, as well as upgrading, repairing, restoring, and maintaining performance vehicles. Over the years, we’ve developed our own proprietary improvements, leading to multiple victories, championships, and numerous podium finishes across disciplines—from drag strips to full road courses.

For more than 13 years, we focused heavily on BMW platforms, repairing, maintaining, restoring, and selling vehicles. That experience provided a deep foundation in mechanical systems, problem-solving, and performance optimization.

Anthony grew up in this environment—beginning karting at age 7 and working hands-on with vehicles by 13. Since then, he has continued modifying, restoring, and maintaining performance cars, building on that foundation through years of real-world experience. Throughout it all, we’ve consistently focused on one principle: continuous improvement through hands-on learning.

In 2022, after purchasing our first Ferrari 360, we began performing routine maintenance and noticed discolored, oily debris in the cooling system. After researching known issues and reviewing the vehicle’s service history, we learned that the factory heat exchanger had already been replaced in 2018.

At the time, we performed a complete system flush and assumed the contamination was residual from prior service.

Shortly after acquiring our second Ferrari 360, we observed the same issue again. While completing maintenance on the second car, we revisited the first—and found that debris had returned despite the earlier flush.

At that point, the pattern was clear.

The factory heat exchanger system was introducing contamination repeatedly—even after replacement. The risk was no longer theoretical. The possibility of cross-contamination between coolant and transmission fluid, combined with elevated operating temperatures, posed a serious threat to both the transmission and engine. Under load, this type of failure can lead to catastrophic damage—and in extreme cases, loss of vehicle control.

Rather than accept that risk, we engineered a solution.

We developed a dedicated external cooling system and installed the first prototype on Anthony’s car. Over the course of a full year, we tested and refined the system under real-world conditions: cold starts, stop-and-go traffic, extended driving, and spirited use. We monitored fluid behavior, temperature stability, and overall system performance, making incremental improvements along the way.

Once finalized, we installed the system on our second 360.

When we removed the factory heat exchanger from the first car—just two years after a full system flush—we found it already showing signs of internal buildup and contamination. After approximately 8,000 miles, the unit exhibited restricted flow passages, residue accumulation, and early-stage corrosion.

This confirmed what we had already suspected:

The issue is inherent to the design.

During this same period, we encountered multiple real-world failures, including within our own network. A close friend experienced a heat exchanger failure that resulted in significant transmission damage, including permanent gear issues. The cost to properly repair or replace the transmission exceeded practical limits, leaving the vehicle compromised.

These experiences reinforced the need for a reliable, long-term solution.

Today, our system has accumulated over 20,000 combined miles across both vehicles, under a wide range of driving conditions, without recurrence of contamination or temperature-related issues.

The DMS Transmission Cooler Kit was not developed as an upgrade for the sake of modification. It was developed to solve a problem that, left unaddressed, can lead to serious and costly consequences.

This is a system built from decades of experience, tested in real conditions, and engineered to eliminate a known failure point in the Ferrari 360 platform.