oil coolers

rwall49 · #1 (**permalink**) 05-05-2007, 07:02 PM

How does one determine the size of the oil cooler to put in his ride? Can anyone share a calculation on this, taking in consideration HP and etc.

Ron

Dwight · #2 (**permalink**) 05-05-2007, 07:48 PM

First I would check to see if the oil is to hot. You may not need an oil cooler. A lot of Cobras run a cooler and it keeps their oil temp to low. But if you want one for looks, just install the largest one that will fit and do not plump it in. The best of both worlds.

Dwight

bobcowan · #3 (**permalink**) 05-08-2007, 01:43 PM

Size does matter. You install the largest one you can fit.

For a street car, use a thermostat to maintain minimum temps.

65cobra1 · #4 (**permalink**) 05-08-2007, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobcowan

Size does matter. You install the largest one you can fit. For a street car, use a thermostat to maintain minimum temps.

I totally agree...I kept reading about oil temps too low causing poor circulation (The oil not me)

I now have an oil thermostat installed. The oil temp gets up there no matter how cool the motor is running.
Ivan

RedBarchetta · #5 (**permalink**) 05-08-2007, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 65cobra1

I now have an oil thermostat installed. The oil temp gets up there no matter how cool the motor is running.
Ivan

Agree 100%. One of the better mods I ever did on this car.

-Dean

rwall49 · #6 (**permalink**) 05-09-2007, 09:45 PM

Thanks for input guys. I think I will try to run the engine without the cooler and see what my temps are. If they are hotter then what is normal in regular driving conditions, then I will put a cooler in and a thermostat. I guess the range for the thermostat will determine how hot the engine gets. 185 degree or 200 degree.

thanks,
Ron

bobcowan · #7 (**permalink**) 05-10-2007, 12:06 AM

Generally speaking, if you're not running on the track, you probably don't really need a cooler. On the street, oil and water temps generally stay pretty close together. If you run a 180* thermostat on your 351W, you'll probably keep the oil temps below 200'ish.

Without a cooler, the temps will change rather slowly. Water temp may climb to 220* in slow traffic on a hot day. But once you get moving it will drop rather quickly. The oil temp won't respond as quickly without a cooler. During the summer I would run synthetic oil, because it can withstand heat spikes better.