Oil cooler?

[Blizzard242]

So a thought occurred to me.. Since I've done the AC delete I now have a spare "radiator" or eh condenser. See where I'm going with this? What are your thoughts on running oil through this to cool it? Also, pre or post turbo thoughts as well. If it were post turbo, a pump would be needed. I'm not worried about fittings for it either since there's an awesome local place with fittings and hoses of all kinds. Brazing some AN fittings on there might be in the picture too. It'd be awesome too since I wouldn't have to fab up brackets to mount it :)

Anyways, more to the point.. What do you guys think?

[landj]

Re: Oil cooler?

I think it's a great idea! I would just be concerned about too much of a restriction and pressure loss on the oil, especially when the oil is cold. I think some research is needed to access pressure loss (the AC condenser is a cross flow, so maybe it's not that big of a deal?). At any rate, I would look into using a thermostat/bypass with the oil cooler to assist it getting up to temp (I think Hayden has them built into some of the oil filter mount adapters).

[Shodown]

Re: Oil cooler?

I wouldnt put it thru there. I'd just buy a real oil cooler for $40 and put it on...

[Blizzard242]

Re: Oil cooler?

I know real ones are cheap but do you have any facts as to why you wouldn't?

[Blizzard242]

Re: Oil cooler?

I think it's a great idea! I would just be concerned about too much of a restriction and pressure loss on the oil, especially when the oil is cold. I think some research is needed to access pressure loss (the AC condenser is a cross flow, so maybe it's not that big of a deal?). At any rate, I would look into using a thermostat/bypass with the oil cooler to assist it getting up to temp (I think Hayden has them built into some of the oil filter mount adapters).

My research would be something along the lines of hooking an oil line up to it and seeing if it squirted out the other end. Hmm, that is something to think about though. I'll think about it. :naughty: Actually I think I might try to get ahold of some oil cooler manufacturers and see what they might say. Hopefully they won't tell me to just buy theirs.

[zpwn06]

Re: Oil cooler?

I've kinda wanted to get an oil cooler, because I like the idea, but don't really understand the benefits. Make your oil last longer? If there was any kind of performance reason that would be nice, but I kind of doubt it would offset the weight (except in your application, through the A/C system!).

[Shodown]

Re: Oil cooler?

I know real ones are cheap but do you have any facts as to why you wouldn't?

Because I dont fvck around when it comes to the oiling system. If it were to fail...the engine would seize and your turbo would be toast.

I've kinda wanted to get an oil cooler, because I like the idea, but don't really understand the benefits. Make your oil last longer? If there was any kind of performance reason that would be nice, but I kind of doubt it would offset the weight (except in your application, through the A/C system!).

Any time you can remove excess heat from the engine...the better. Heat makes the oil more viscous and less effective thus putting more wear on the motor. Plus, heat robs horsepower.

[zpwn06]

Re: Oil cooler?

Any time you can remove excess heat from the engine...the better. Heat makes the oil more viscous and less effective thus putting more wear on the motor. Plus, heat robs horsepower.

yeh, thats what I was thinking, but on the other hand, wouldn't it drop oil pressure?

[zpwn06]

Re: Oil cooler?

does anyone on the board have one? might be a fun mod. Need to find somewhere interesting to mount it though

[D_Fisher]

Re: Oil cooler?

If I understand this correctly, your going to use the A/C evaporator core as an oil cooler. Am I the only one who sees anthing wrong with running oil into the passenger area of the car? This seems like a SERIOUS safety risk. If you get into an accident your could potentually have hot/flammable oil spilling into passenger area. And I dont see where you going to actually get much cooling since the evaporator core is under the dash and doesnt have much air fresh/cool air flowing to it. Sure you could turn the fan on but then your going to basically running the heater.

[Slave One]

Re: Oil cooler?

If I understand this correctly, your going to use the A/C evaporator core as an oil cooler. Am I the only one who sees anthing wrong with running oil into the passenger area of the car? This seems like a SERIOUS safety risk. If you get into an accident your could potentually have hot/flammable oil spilling into passenger area. And I dont see where you going to actually get much cooling since the evaporator core is under the dash and doesnt have much air fresh/cool air flowing to it. Sure you could turn the fan on but then your going to basically running the heater.

No, the condenser in the front of the car...

[Slave One]

Re: Oil cooler?

If you are serious about doing this right, check out this guys setup... even went as far as to put a oil thermostat so his oil wouldnt get too cool on the highway or at night.

Awesome writeup on the whole thing, as well as some others on the same site...

http://www.xse.com/leres/ss/oilcooler.html

[Shodown]

Re: Oil cooler?

Tranny cooler > oil cooler

[zpwn06]

Re: Oil cooler?

unless you have a manual

[Shodown]

Re: Oil cooler?

unless you have a manual

The OP has an automatic of whom which I was referring to...