Oil Cooler ??????

[thundercat]

Just picked up Superformance #1287 thursday in ohio.[worth the wait!!!!] I'm doing engine my self and I looker at a lot of the cars sitting there to see if there was something I might hadn't thought about. I noticed on quite a few cars the oilcoolers were not connected. they had lines deadended. The shop told me not recommended using cooler -oil temp toolow.Ialways warm vehicles up.. will this be a problem using cooler?? I'm using a FE 428 .THANKS!!!!

[Chad Johnson]

Steve,
What you were told is generally correct, although some guys have experienced just the opposite from restrictive routing of the oil lines. I do not have the cooler hooked up on my car and have still had some problems with running cool, but mostly due to rich jetting and timing issues.

I would advise you to sign up for the Superformance Cobra Owners Forum for information pertaining strickly to Superformance cars http://performanceunlimited.com/scof/subscribe.html

[bk347]

Steve, I'm new here, although I've been watching for a while, I just didn't have any info I thought I could pass on till now. I installed the oil cooler that was an option on my FFR kit, plumbed it in and everything; it looks cool. After driving for a while, I noticed I never developed any oil temp reading on my gauge. Further research found out that you should install a thermostat into the lines between the motor and cooler. I purchased one from Pegasus and everything's ok now. These coolers are very efficient and it wouldn't surprise me if a mostly street driven car doesn't even need one. However, if you are going for looks, like I did, you should probably put the thermostat in. Also, if you use "authentic" smith's gauges, be careful that they are in centigrade not farenheit (sp?), we were waiting forever for the motor to come up to temp when we first fired it! Got to about 80 and stayed there. Couldn't figure it out until the glasses went on and we saw the tiny "C" on the gauges! I hope this helps, Bob.

[Roscoe]

Steve,
I also installed my oil cooler with the thermostat, I believe it's 180 deg. It allows the engine to reach a good running temp but will open to assist in cooling if you are running hot.

Also got it from Pegasus Racing

http://www.pegasusautoracing.com/

Roscoe

[Ikestaa]

What exactly would this thermostat do? I am assuming that it re-routes oil flow and bypasses the cooler, but I am not sure. Any help would be appreciated. Also, how difficult are they to install?

[Bob Putnam]

Ike,

That's exactly what a oil thermostat does. When the temperature is below a certain level, the oil doesn't go through the cooler. I know that years ago our cooler sandwich adapter had a fairly crude one built-in, but is NLA now. Our current one doesn't have one. Blocking the airflow through the cooler would help a lot.

[427sharpe]

My .02:
If you are going to restrict yourself to street driving, skip the cooler. If you will race the car, plumb the cooler with a thermostat and a check valve--Earls sells both at www.amstreetrod.com --
the cooler will add capacity and maintain temperature, the thermostat will guard against temps too low (bad for the bearings) and the in line check valve will protect the cooler from psi blasts when you punch the throttle w/ a cold engine. this is the set up I have used for years, and have had zero problems.

[Roscoe]

This one is from Racer Parts Wholesale
http://www.racerpartswholesale.com

PermaCool Remote Oil Thermostat

Maintaining proper oil temperature is critical and the installation of an auxiliary oil cooler helps keep the oil below the 190 deg. F maximum temperature. Installation of a remote oil thermostat, in addition to an oil cooler, provides faster warmup to operating temperatures. When oil temperatures exceed 180 deg. F, the thermostatic valve closes allowing full flow through the oil cooler. At temperatures below 180 deg. F, the valve is open with 90% of the oil bypassing the cooler. The remaining 10% of the oil flows through the cooler to maintain constant system pressure and prevent air pockets in the cooler system. Flows up to 20 GPM at 200 psi. Has 1/2" npt ports.



This one is the Mocal from Pegasus
http://www.pegasusautoracing.com/



Roscoe

[Campy]

Here's my cents worth.

I am not a chemical engineer nor do I work for an oil company. However, with some common sense and a few things I know about oil, I may be able to shed some light.

I know that oil needs to be hot enough to ensure proper flow and hence lubrication. I also know that it should be hot enough to assist in evaporation of any moisture contamination due to condensation. Those who live in damp climates and/or subject their vehicles to damp cold weather need to be cognizant of an adequate warm-up. Another culprit is short runs when condensation can build up and the temp is not ample to assist in evaporation.

There is no question that the greatest enemy to oil breakdown is not cold, but heat.

I have a fully functional oil cooler with 1/2" AN fittings and lines. I also live in Florida and most of my driving is in 80 degree and above ambient temperatures. My car is also garaged.
Oil pressure is always around 50-60 PSI and I have not had any problems with condensation.
My suggestion, Go with the functional cooler, and use the thermostat if you subject your engine to colder damp climates.

[cobrashoch]

Boy am I going to get it on this one! In my opinion oil coolers on cobras are obsolete. Period ! Todays synthetic oils are much better that the stuff we used in the 70's. When cobras were racing there was a need,,,. then. A better solution is a in line heat exchanger that heats/cools oil in one step. There are many types I have seen, but the one that I liked best is a unit that Gordon Levy in Phoenix sells for about 500$. This unit uses the bottom coolant hose going to your radiator.
I to have a unit out there on my car that looks like a oil cooler--- That is really a secondary automatic transmission cooler with a fan that is sold by Summett.
For you period correct guys I guess it's o.k. to have one of those things. Just not for me.

cobrashoch

[Great Asp]

Thundercat,

Who is building you engine, and what bearing clearances will you be using? Most of the 428 FE's I have seen, have larger clearances, and should get more flow. The size of you AN lines/filter configuration, in conjuction with the standard SPF oil cooler should be reviewed.

Southern Automotive (they did not build my engine) could be a starting place to see what has worked before, as they have built many engines for Superformance cars, a lot of 428 FEs. Doug Reed is the owner of the dealership in New Orleans, and he also has much experiance with and without coolers on 428's.

For the most point, I agree with what 427 sharpe said above. If you are going to race it, get the cooler hooked up. if not....most likely you will not need it. But oil wgt., clearances, flow need to be reviewed, and if possible, follow others that have your set up for the way you want to drive.

Sign up for the SCOF board now that you have your car. Lot's of specific SPF stuff there too!

Great Asp

PS congrat's on getting your car!

[Campy]

Yes this may be true. But, there are other things that are obsolete as well.

Why a big block? Hey for that matter we can use one of those tricked out 4 cylinders those rice rocket guys are building.
Think about the weight reduction

If you don't use the oil cooler what then to do about the opening left behind? It looks too good NOT to use.

[Cobra 29]

If one was to fit a oil thermostat, should it be position closer to the engine or to the cooler? When closed (before oil reaches 190) would the engine develop more oil pressure? I have a cooler installed presently with braided lines, can these be cut and AN ends fitted or do I need to order 4 new lines?

[Roscoe]

This is how I have mine setup.





Roscoe

[Bob In Ct]

Hey Steve:
The reason most of us an oil cooler is that the cars are replicas. The originals had oil coolers!

I get around the concerns you have by using 5W-30 synthetic year round and blocking the cooler whenever the ambient is below 70 degrees F.

The fact is we don't need the big blocks, we don't need the Webers, we don't need the knock-offs, and we don't need the oil cooler, but if we didn't have that stuff it wouldn't be much fun.

Bob