External oil cooler location in NA Miata
 

I am in the process of installing a BEGI turbo with their largest IC. The oil cooler and remote filter kit I use won't fit with the IC pipes, so I am going to do something else. Since the oil cooler parts are coming off the car, I am examining different places I could place the new cooler instead of mounting it to the radiator with those long plastic ties. I'd like to find out where everyone else has mounted their air to air oil coolers so I can get some ideas. Thanks.

I don't have a oil cooler yet, but its coming soon. I'm gonna try behind my passenger side TSI, or maybe even cut a rectangle it the bumper to fit it flush. I have to wait till I get it to be certain.

Vash-

I might do a carbontrix kidney vent in the bumper for my 24-row cooler.

http://www.carbontrix.com/store/images/kidvents2.JPG

http://www.epowerhousepc.com/delta-1...eed-p-588.html

you think a couple of these bad boys would provide enough air flow? That would make it a bit easier.

https://www.miataturbo.net/forum/showthread.php?t=8357

https://www.miataturbo.net/forum/att...1&d=1174527576

mimime- where's the pic that shows the vent to get air to the cooler?

Rick- if you're rad is stock height, there's enough room to squeeze a nascar oil cooler under and just add some depth to the mouth tray.

My base of my rad (flanges) is even with the front bumper/nose cover lip base. IMO there's a good four inches of vertical space to take advantage of in the Miata's front exchanger area. The other option is go with the same rad I have- that will allow you to run an oil cooler right next too it with some exposure to oncoming air - and a healthy increase in oil capacity. You'd just need to get the rad filler neck moved.

Post showing the attempted Mercedes oil cooler test fit next to the rad

Here's shot showing the vertical spacing. Building the rad hanger is simple- hangs from the stock hooks.
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t...mx5t/base2.jpg

Here's the kind of cooler I think would fit in the space under a stock sized rad. They're made to hang under the rad.
http://i23.ebayimg.com/03/i/000/f4/b1/0a4b_1.JPG

Hey where can I buy those kidney's??
I need to mount my oil cooler too will try to figure something out this weekend if the weather is ok.

Come on man, spend 30 seconds on google. :bang:

http://tinyurl.com/5rhm6n

Vash-

The pit crew front it has a larger opening from the bumper, I was using an 3" ducting feeding air to the oil cooler.

That's sort of what I've been thinking about; fit the cooler wherever is convenient and run a fan (or fans). Was also thinking about not running an oil cooler t-stat, and simply having the fan(s) come on at set temp. Just like the coolant radiator. Can even get a neat-o variable speed controller.

It's something I'll explore post RBII nose installation.

:werd:

and whatever you do, not look at the url in the pic.

Or motorcycle/ATV fans. Lots of used ones for cheap on eBay.

Mine is right behind the radiator, where the A/C fan would normally be.

http://memimage.cardomain.com/member...67_13_full.jpg

http://memimage.cardomain.com/member...67_14_full.jpg

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2255667

No fans, no wiring, one more thing to fail. Keeping it simple, a Mocal adapter, -10 hose, and a cooler mounted somewhere. I have a CSF radiator right now. Reason I want to mount the oil cooler somewhere else is because the radiator is so thick that it puts even low profile fans right on my RB hollow swaybar, so I have to mount the fans right on the radiator, which then interferes with the little straps holding the oil cooler to the radiator.

M2, I've seen your rad mount in photos, looks like a nice idea, but I thought it required some welding, which I wasn't prepared to do. I was thinking about redrilling the rad mounts to lower it a bit in the engine bay so there's more of the core in the airstream.

Yes, I thought you had a little welder. Anyway- doesn't apply since you've got a good rad. What about the wide cooler under that CSF rad?

I have a flux core MIG style welder, but I suck at welding. I was thinking placing it above the IC at an angle, or using some aluminum strap to mount it to the fan standoffs on the radiator.

Not sure if this is race proven.. but pretty good idea!

http://www.s2ki.com/gallery/image/medium/530055.jpg

Rick- I think that under-rad-mount oil cooler can be done like an intercooler with just some metal straps. You'd just need to put some rubber strips between the rad base and the oil cooler top. Then just just mod that mouth shroud so it drops down to meet the base of the oil cooler.

You can always go for the simplest install first and check results at the track. If it works, then no need for more work. But as far as racing goes, I don't think I've ever seen a rad and oil cooler sandwiched. If you did that, I'd put a good air gap between the two.

The OEM mouth shroud was removed when I did the TDR IC install. I'm using ABS plastic shaped the same as the TDR pieces to direct airflow through the mouth. I might be able to use the mounting straps to secure the cooler to the radiator standoffs. Ebay the best place for those long and short coolers? I was checking out Batinc's package deal on the sandwich adapter, hoses, fittings etc. I haven't priced things out to see if there's a better deal anywhere else.

I got my mocal sandwich plate from racerpartswholesale. I don't think there's much margin in those for retailers, so they'll all cost about the same. Given you're location, you probably don't even need the tstat... and that'll save you $. Those used NASCAR oil coolers sell for a huge discount compared to new- and when the number of auctions is high, it drives the price down further. As with all things eBay, you just have to be patient to find your deal. You'll need to flush it out when you get it too, if it's used.

You could also search for some OE coolers that have similar dimensions to fit your space.

The rx7 cooler is big - wide and short. db84drteg is going to install one - so maybe there's info/pics there.

Smaller than the RX7 cooler, here's the mercedes unit I've got. it measures something near 20x4x3.

Just keep in mind that you'll probably have to do something to the OE coolers to get them working with your lines. I just cut off the metric fittings on the merc cooler and welded on some AN bungs.

I spoke with a Batinc rep. He said the thermo sandwich adapter flows as well as the non-thermo unit. I may just get the kit they offer for 169, and wait on a cooler for the time being. Once the car's running with the turbo I'll start looking at places a cooler could go.

For now, I've got a list of things to do on the car. I think the culprit for the oil in the bellhousing is the CAS seal. I didn't think that was the source of the oil since the seal is only a year old, but I ran my hand under the CAS and enough oil was there I have to change the seal. Then I have to replace the tie rod ends and rack bushings, then mount the rad fans, then install the turbo, so an oil cooler is on the back burner. I don't plan on running any events during the peak of the South Florida summer anyway.