oil coolers, how big is big enough?

[khilgers]

I am researching my oil cooler setup I plan on doing over winter. So far my plans are a tomei block adapter, -10 fittings, oil filter relocation kit, earls thermostat, and a setrab oil cooler. The only thing I'm not sure about is the physical size of the oil cooler. I plan on running a setrab cooler since I have heard nothing but good things about them. But what size should I go with? I was planning on mounting it between my intercooler and my radiator just below the hood release area. I have plenty of room for a 13" x 7 1/2" core but is that overkill, or can you never have too much for cooling?

Realistically the car will see about 6 drift events, and the occasional auto-x event each year.

[karl wasabi]

Yeah, I have heard that you can overcool your oil. The oil needs to be at a certain temperature all the time so everything in the engine is seated properly. In the winter I have seen people wrap their oil coolers in foil aluminum foil to keep the heat in them.

[khilgers]

The car will never see snow again, so driving in the winter is not going to happen. It's just something I wanted to work on since here in MN we have about 6 months of shitty weather and we have nothing else to do but work on cars, drink beer, and hang out in the garage with friends.

[Bizzytony]

im pretty sure if you have a thermostat it should be ok. but you can over cool your oil. i would think the core size would matter too much as long as its running a thermostat.

[jdmspooge]

I don't know about over cooling...? Usually, it is optimal to have your oil cooled. All lubricating properties are at it's stable state at levels below 110 degrees. The higher the heat range at constant temperature level (lets say 120+ on a road course) those lubricating elements will begin to break down (watery state). If it reaches levels of 180 to 200+F, you need to slow down and let your oil cool. Remember those Castrol commercials about viscosity breakdown? It's a reality and will occur that easy.

My philosophy is you can't go wrong with a oil cooler (any size) unless you mistake a radiator for a cooler. LOL As long as it's in a very good spot to receive good amounts of cool air and big rocks to destroy the cooler you're okay! Hahaha! No but, seriously, good location = great oil lubrication and long lasting engine. So, don't worry about size and over cooling unless your car is sitting in the Himalayas or something where hell freezes over. LOL Your car will take that "over cooled" oil and heat it to optimum range viscosity.

Have fun and keep it safe!

[Sir]

Go as big as you can afford. Bigger is better and since you got an thermostat it will not "overcool" your oil.


Im running 10x10 Setrab w.o thermostat

[Koopa Troopa]

You can go too big on an SR. The oil pumps suck, go too big or run too much line and you'll likely dry start the motor.

[jdmspooge]

Simply add oil. Yes, SR's do have weak points in oil supply. I'm sure though that adding will not hurt volumetric seal tolerances, but would compensate for the increase = more space/more oil. Besides, common sense does play a factor in what size you actually need and you'd know if it was too big for your application.

In some race engines and I believe nissan motorsports utilizes an electric external oil pump to alleviate dry start issues. I could be wrong though.

Cheers!

[Koopa Troopa]

Most tuning shops upgrade to a higher volumer oil pump like a Tomei. Having a higher capacity oil pan will help but the SR oil pump can only do so much. It's not that strong to begin with.

As far as oil coolers being too big... A guy I know has the cooler from the 787B project... It's like the size of the radiator in dually truck. LMAO.

[jdmspooge]

Yes, you're absolutely right! I forgot to mention the large capacity oil pan. Shame on me. Good looking out! Dang! That's a big oil cooler. Like I stated, you'd know when it's too big for your application.

Cheers!