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-   -   Oil cooler thread. (https://www.miataturbo.net/diy-turbo-discussion-14/oil-cooler-thread-11278/)

Savington 07-17-2007 09:52 PM


Originally Posted by magnamx-5 (Post 132214)
hmm i so want a oil cooler i was gonna run mine on my drain line, seemed like a good idea no?

Uh, no.

Joe Perez 07-18-2007 10:51 AM


Originally Posted by magnamx-5 (Post 132214)
hmm i so want a oil cooler i was gonna run mine on my drain line, seemed like a good idea no?

Er, not unless you also have a scavenge pump, I would imagine.

Originally Posted by ben
from watching the pressure gauge and interpolting temp from pressure, I would say that my oil is at temp after about 2 miles of driving.

Nope. My oil pressure usually reaches "normal" levels after about the same period of time (no more than 60PSI at cruise, down to 30 or so at idle) however at this point the oil temperature gauge has just begun to lift off the peg, which would put it around 100 degrees or so.

I do like the idea of sticking some racer's tape on the cooler for around-town use. Kicking myself for not having thought of that.

I'm also wondering if instead of my current arrangement with the thermostat plate, the external cooler, etc., if I might be better off installing a factory style oil-to-water heat exchanger. Like the sort found on later-model Miatas, Honda B18C series engines, etc. This would seem an ideal solution, since the water would actually help to pre-heat the oil when the engine is coming up to temperature, and once at operating temperature, the water will never cool the oil below 190 or so.

Savington 07-18-2007 06:02 PM

So do I actually need a cooler at 260°F, or will fresh synthetic handle this?

jkballardbpl 07-18-2007 06:29 PM

What is the sandwich plate size/thread for a 95 1.8?
 

Originally Posted by Joe Perez (Post 132140)
To answer a couple of posts at once-

I installed the oil cooler in preperation for the turbocharging as I feared that the Mitsu turbo would add signifigant heat load to the oil system, and I was also uncomfortable subjecting a journal-bearing turbo to extremely low oil pressures (as low as 10 PSI at idle when very hot, if the factory gauge is to be believed). To recap, I'm using the sandwich plate that FM sells (a Mocal part) and a tiny little Earl's cooler.

During my daily commute (about 5 miles) the oil has just about gotten up to 130-140 when I reach my destination. This is too damn cold.

On the highway, with clean air and plenty of it, the oil temperature tends to stabilize around 160-170. Also too damn cold.

Autocross runs are too short to see any real change, and I've never been to a proper trackday, but if I take the vehicle on a nice hard run, such as up the side of Palomar mountain or through the canyons under boost, the oil will peak out at maybe 200-220 degrees.

I have definately err'd on the side of far too much cooling- I suspect that the thermostat is not doing its job.

All oil temp measurements taken on an autometer short-sweep electrical gauge, sender installed in drain plug.

I'm trying to go cheaper on the sandwich plate than buying the FM t-stat sandwich plate. My car is race only and does not need the t-stat. Does anyone know the size and thread of a 95/1.8 oil filter so I can get a basic plate. Not sure what size to buy. I think it is M18 with a 1.5 thread.

Joe Perez 07-18-2007 06:34 PM


Originally Posted by jkballardbpl (Post 132510)
Does anyone know the size and thread of a 95/1.8 oil filter so I can get a basic plate.

20 x 1.5mm thread, 2.5" (appx) O-ring.

jkballardbpl 07-18-2007 08:35 PM


Originally Posted by Joe Perez (Post 132515)
20 x 1.5mm thread, 2.5" (appx) O-ring.

Thanks Joe.

JasonC SBB 07-19-2007 12:43 AM

Savington, I believe I have an unused Mocal sandwich plate adapter with built in t-stat. I will sell it to you for the new price less $15, no shipping no tax. ;)

I used a small Setrab cooler, and I just used blue 10-AN push-on Aeroquip rubber hose (i.e. no SS braid, no clamps). 6 years later, no probs at all.

Savington 07-19-2007 02:27 AM

Jason, you've got a deal. I'm out of town every week until August, but hopefully we can meet up sometime to exchange goods, and compare suspension setups as well.

High-temp rubber scares the shit out of me in that application, though. You really have had no problems? What do your oil temps look like on-track?

qes78 07-19-2007 06:28 AM

Hey guys!

I suppose a -6AN fitting would really be pushing it?
Thing is, I've got a MOCAL with 6AN fitting and hoses with connectors to go as well. Somehow I dun really quite think it's a good idea to use such small fittings.
Should I use an adaptor at the head of the oil cooler? or just machine an adapter?

BTW.....anyone can point me to a place where i can get an oil cooler sandwich (or take-off) plate, who is willing to ship to Singapore and willing to take Paypal?

m2cupcar 07-19-2007 08:57 AM


Originally Posted by Savington (Post 132505)
So do I actually need a cooler at 260°F, or will fresh synthetic handle this?

Yes synthetic can handle that, but adding oil cooler to drop temps would be optimal IMO. That will lower the oil temp at the turbo bearing for one thing and improve the margin if something does raise the temps while on track. I'd run a cooler in your case.

JasonC SBB 07-20-2007 12:10 AM


Originally Posted by Savington (Post 132620)
Jason, you've got a deal. I'm out of town every week until August, but hopefully we can meet up sometime to exchange goods, and compare suspension setups as well.

High-temp rubber scares the shit out of me in that application, though. You really have had no problems? What do your oil temps look like on-track?

On the track it gets to around 250°F. My probe is in the oil pan though. If your oil temp sender is in the turbo supply line near the turbo, the oil probably cools down a bit before reaching the sender.

FWIW the BMW 335i goes into limp mode at 300*F+ oil temps.

The high temp rubber seems fine, I inspect it once in a while. It's supposedly made for it.

Savington 07-20-2007 02:34 AM

I'd think I'd see more heat in that line, just because it's oil that's just been run through the block, versus oil that's been mixed in with oil from the pan for a few moments.

speedf50 08-07-2007 07:15 PM

Staying on the oil cooler subject...

A question about a reference or two I have heard about later model miatas with oil coolers. What is this? I remember hearing this before and nobody really going into depth on the subject.

So did later model miatas come stock with oil coolers? Anyone know which years? And if the car came with one, anyone know how effective these factory coolers were? Easy to upgrade?

cjernigan 08-07-2007 07:26 PM

My '99 doesn't have one.

Arkmage 08-07-2007 07:36 PM


Originally Posted by speedf50 (Post 137981)
Staying on the oil cooler subject...

A question about a reference or two I have heard about later model miatas with oil coolers. What is this? I remember hearing this before and nobody really going into depth on the subject.

So did later model miatas come stock with oil coolers? Anyone know which years? And if the car came with one, anyone know how effective these factory coolers were? Easy to upgrade?

'97 came stock with them... it's an oil to water cooler sandwiched between the block and filter. Not the best thing in the world... but it can't hurt.

cjernigan 08-07-2007 07:41 PM

Ohh my '99 does have the sandwich at the filter. I don't consider that to be an oil cooler. I was thinking more like what we usually add-on to our cars with a heat exchanger. Big 1/2AN fittings and a sandwich plate of some sort with no where to put the oil cooler itself.

Ben 08-07-2007 07:43 PM


Originally Posted by speedf50 (Post 137981)
A question about a reference or two I have heard about later model miatas with oil coolers. What is this? I remember hearing this before and nobody really going into depth on the subject.

Don't get worked up about it. It's really nothing. The 1.8 block has a pickup and dump for coolant that goes around the oil filter pickup tube. The coolant provides minimal heat to the oil when cold (water heats faster than oil), and minimal cooling while driving.

A lot of people who do coolant re-routes or 1.6-->1.8 conversions ignore this feature. It's not really essential.

cjernigan 08-07-2007 07:53 PM

If i was going to bypass the coolant to my TB I would do this for the filter sandwich at the same time just to eliminate more crap.

m2cupcar 08-08-2007 09:28 AM

I wonder how well an external an external oil cooling system would work with the OE cooler, a pump and exchanger...?

Savington 11-24-2007 10:45 PM

Bumping this thread. Where's the best location for an oil cooler? I'm thinking between the IC and radiator, maybe off to one side, but I'm wondering if that's just going to further hinder airflow to the radiator.


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