Oil cooler?
 

I am still collecting parts to Turbo my NA, and saving for megasquirt..... and i noticed it seems there is not alot of info on oil coolers in this forum. i see FM sells them, but they dont seem to be very common.
What is your opinion of them.

I know that just about Every saab from present to roughly 1978 had some form of oil cooler, and they were anywhere from 285hp to 120 hp... so i assume it is nessesary!

I've got one, nice quality. I'm going to fab some protection for it though, kinda low.

i understand that though because judging by your turbo and injector size your car is VERY FAST....
im thinking on a somewhat lower level... maybe 240whp or less with a journal bearing turbo

the folks sitting pretty at 230-250rwhp and doing track days without them are still running strong...

We have a good oil cooler done. Just not the "kit" to go with it.
BEGi - - Front Page News - oil_coolers

Stephanie

ok, thats good to know.... i just wanted to make sure i wasnt going to get my car tuned only to replace the turbo and/or engine before the next oil change!

Oil temp gauge is always a safe bet. That will tell you when you need a cooler.

Cheap too. Only a couple wires for the gauge and one for the sensor. Drill and tap your drain plug next time you change your oil for the easiest install.

Thats actually a really good idea... i have never heard of people putting the temp sensor in the drain plug, but it would be easily removable if needed.. ect..

ZOMG, STFU!

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It's called an NPT plug, I have one in there now after putting the sensor in the sandwich plate post cooler. Neither the plug or sensor ever leaked with a little teflon goo. A spade connector 2" from the sensor makes oil changes easier.
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If you're "Not" comment was just referring to the obviousness and commonality of my suggestion and not it's supposed stupidness, ignore everything between the asterisks.

WTF, ohhh i was adding another sentance and got sidetracked...... sorry, no i really like that setup, i think im going to employ it myself now

At what temp would you consider it's time to get a cooler? My oil temps have gone over 230 before and I thought that might be a bit excessive.

another thing to consider is the use of an oil thermostat..... while you dont want your oil hot, it doesnt work very well when its cold either so a thermostat would definatly be nessesary

+1, You can overcool your oil and it screws with your viscosity.

Depends on who you talk to but over 230 is getting a bit toasty.

If you're oil temps are above 250*, then you need an oil cooler. Over 290*, you need to shut the car down.

/thread

Even in 30* weather without a thermostat I have no problem making my oil temp gauge just barely register, which is 140*. Is that considered too hot or too cold?

That's on the cool side

Way too cold. You need oil temps to be over 212F. What you're looking for a is stabilized oil temp above that. Oil weight and quality/type also enter into the equation. I've said it before, but I know several production racers that have done multiple seasons running minimum 3 hour races with 300F+ oil temps (the original Mobil 1) on LS engines- no failures. Not to say that's an ideal temp, but with a good oil it's not going to blow up your engine. Those LS engines made good power at that oil temp.

To the OP- there's a load of oil cooler info on this site, so I'm not sure what you searched for. Try oil cooler.

Well, 300* is ok if the viscosity index is so incredibly badass that it can function there, but I can't think of an oil aside from Redline 5w30 or Motul r300 (or whatever) that hold viscosity there.