Oil system? Sandwich plates, relocators, etc
 

How are all of you supplying oil to your turbos? I have just about everything else for my build figured out, but the oil system is simply baffling me. Are you running a sandwich plate between the block and filter, or are you using a [dual filter?] relocation kit and running the feed/drain lines from that? Is there any definite data proving one method better than the other? I know some people like to run dual filters just for the sense of security, but is there any real reason to? Sorry if this seems like a complete n00b "use the search function" post, but I've tried searching and didn't come up with anything conclusive.

Also, especially to you who track your cars frequently, do you run an oil cooler, and where in the system (pre-post turbo, etc.).

Thanks in advance!

A lot of this can be found by searching, and depends on what year your car is (please add details to your signature in "user CP").

Mine uses the feed at the back driver's side of block...and just about everyone worth an ounce of spool taps the oil pan below a/c compressor bracket for the return line.

https://www.miataturbo.net/forum/t4288/#post53825

P.S. don't bitch about the images failing.

Thanks for leading me to the FAQ, definitely helped! Unfortunately(?) I'm running a 1.8, so it looks like I'll have to T off the oil pressure sender or go with a sandwich plate like I thought. If I run a plate though, how does the drain work? Does the oil run through the filter then out so I can drain to the pan, or do I have to drain back into the filter plate? I guess I'm just a little confused on the flow.

The oil which comes out of a sandwich plate, unfortunately, will be unfiltered. This is due to the construction of the filter itself- the oil goes into the filter through the holes around the edge, and comes out of the filter through the middle. There's no way to tap into this feed of oil coming out of the filter.

I'm not sure if that answers part of your question or not.

As to the drain line, this is no different from any other car. You drill and tap a hole in the pan, and drain the oil into that.

There are two kinds of sandwich plates- those designed for use with an oil cooler, and those designed for use as take-offs for turbo oiling, temp sensing, etc.

Here is one designed for use with an oil cooler:

http://www.racerpartswholesale.com/i.../MOC-SP1CT.jpg

Here is one designed as a takeoff / sensor mount:

http://img31.imagefra.me/img/img31/2...tm_c63b5b2.jpg

See how the second one is mostly hollow, whereas the first one is mostly closed?

In the first one, all of the oil has to be pumped out the side and then come back in. In the second one, the oil is free to pass through, with only a tiny bit coming out the side.

Thanks for trying to straighten this out for me, guys. I think some of my confusion was because initially I was trying to run ALL the oil through the turbo, which is certainly not the case. I think I'll probably end up running either a T from the pressure sensor location, or running a T from the filtered side of a relocation set-up. I like the idea of running filtered oil through the turbo just in case my motor decides to lose a bearing and scatter pieces of itself throughout the oil.

Tim, don't you have a 90 or something? There's an oil feed port already tapped on the turbo side of the block.

Profile says 95'

My Ride
All the details about my ride.
Year of your Miata
1995
Ride
'95 Miata
Engine type and displacement
1.8L
Induction
N/A
Major modifications
Koni/GC, Azenis, Hawk HP+, etc.
Tranny type
Manual
Tires
Street Radials

Anywho I would say just T off the port on the block.

The 95 1.8's still had the oil port on the drivers side. Much easier.

It's a '95, Andrew. ;)

Thanks for the help, everyone! I think I've got it all figured out now.

I'm too busy fucking tens to be checking your profile for information. Send me another shift knob or I will crush your skull.

Hustler is starting to rub off on you. You should tell him to stop or it will make him go blind.

Sure. And then I'll invoice you for both. :giggle: Good luck with your skull crushings via interwebz. :fawk: