About to redo oilfilter and cooler - need input
 

Current state of affairs:

Sandwich
https://www.miataturbo.net/forum/att...92008-007-.jpg

Cooler
https://www.miataturbo.net/forum/att...92008-018-.jpg

Mounted
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_Oml-XV4A08o/SN...8%28006%29.jpg

Thing that concern me and I want changed:

1. It leaks
2. Some say the cooler is upside down
3. The filer is impossible to reach

The leak needs fixing. :vash:

I am having doubts the race shop mounted it upside down by accident. And when the mounts are at the top it would never drain with an oil change

I want to add a filer relocation kit. I was thinking the current sandwich can go and need to be replaced by a different one that caps the stock filter location. Now what it the right order? Block - out - cooler - filter - in - block? Or two parallel circuits?

Thanks..

Spooky -

Corky and I ran into a problem attempting to mount an oil-cooler with the fittings at the bottom.

Initially, there is air in the cooler. When you start the car, it takes a few moments for the oil pressure to get sufficient enough to compress the air and fill the cooler. Then when the car is turned off, the air pressure forces the oil out of the cooler. - All the while the engine took longer to get sufficient oil pressure.

As you note, mounting with the fittings on top will lead to an inability to drain old oil when performing a fluid change, however you won't have the pressure issues to deal with.

Mounting the cooler with the fittings to the side should address all pressure issues.

On a side note, have you considered running your oil lines around your radiator instead of under it?

- L

Good point. It does take ~2s (I should measure) for oil to pressurize after starting. What is a normal time?

Where did you get the sandwich plate? Why did you keey the stock cooler as well?

The stock cooler helps oil get up to temperature quicker. Its not just for cooling.

To the OP. Ditch the intake brace and it will be easier to reach the oil filter.

Normal time, about half that.

Corky and I were seeing 5+ seconds...

- L

Wow - yeah 5 seconds would have me worried too. I just happened to pick up the very same setup and installed this weekend.
I installed very much the same way, but chose the 90's for the front half so I could clock the sandwich plate. No leaks, and pressure comes on at start up in 2 seconds. I have a relocated pressure switch to the firewall, so it has always been that long.

Hmm I rotated the cooler but that didnt change oil pressure build up time.
Also shot this:

nice safety wire job.

Yeah the shop did that. My filter won't be falling off.
I tightened these oil lines today so that should all be better now.