Oil Cooler Disconnection

fastd · #1 (**permalink**) 10-24-2009, 05:10 PM

I am thinking of disconnecting my oil cooler; thoughts? Please discuss.

Cobra 29 · #2 (**permalink**) 10-24-2009, 05:17 PM

I understand that the oil cooler is not needed for street / occasional track driving. I have a large capacity Canton pan. The oil temp reading only gets to 180 degrees like the water temp after 20 minutes of straight driving. I think I will also get more oil pressure too since the pump will not have to push oil thru about 12 feet of lines.

Hotfingrs · #3 (**permalink**) 10-24-2009, 05:18 PM

Why..... ?? Do you want to disconnect your cooler.

fastd · #4 (**permalink**) 10-24-2009, 05:33 PM

I would like to be able to drive my car when the ambient temp dips below 50 degrees. With the cooler, the oil never gets hot enough...

ERA Chas · #5 (**permalink**) 10-24-2009, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fastd

I am thinking of disconnecting my oil cooler; thoughts? Please discuss.

There are several very recent threads with extensive debate and tech. To avoid a total rehash, just search the subject.

Silverback51 · #6 (**permalink**) 10-24-2009, 05:48 PM

For Winter driving, I have a piece of .06 clear lexan that I put in front of the cooler. Unless you reach down and touch it, you wouldn't know it's there.

Gunner · #7 (**permalink**) 10-24-2009, 05:50 PM

"Wow, I love the feel of a warm oil cooler on a winter morning... what the hey?"

ZOERA-SC7XX · #8 (**permalink**) 10-24-2009, 06:19 PM

Absolutely no advantage for an oil cooler on a street driven car. If anything, you'd want something that heats your oil, especially in winter/fall. Dummy it up just for looks.

fastd · #9 (**permalink**) 10-25-2009, 05:45 AM

the plexiglass cover doesn't work that great for me. I have tried also insulting the oil lines to the oil cooler - it definitely gets hotter than before, but why go through all of that?

Double Venom · #10 (**permalink**) 10-25-2009, 05:57 AM

"QUESTION" 2003 Chevrolet Corvette mileage: 69,000. Do I need an oil cooler? My new engine in my corvette runs a 230-degree oil temperature. After running at 80-85 for 10-15 miles out of Atlanta traffic, but cools to around 215-220 at 70-75, range is this ok? What do you think Bob & Ken?
Answer: An oil temperature of 220 degrees is normal. An engine oil cooler would be beneficial to high performance engines."
"2CARPROS"

ERA Charles is right.... (For street cars or cars not running full time track conditions):

However one of the hardest things I have to do is convince new owners that a functioning "oil cooler" is only detrimental to their motors! It is hard enough to get the oil temp to over 200 degrees in their cars, let alone with a cooler. Of course you can sandwich in a temperature valve, but why? Just hook a cooler up in the nose and run dummy lines if you want the look.

DV

RedBarchetta · #11 (**permalink**) 10-25-2009, 10:23 AM

Why not just build a "bridge" line and keep the cooler for warmer weather? I made one from a spare section of -10 hose and some spare fittings (to be used if I ever puncture my cooler on the road...I keep it in my tool bag). It's a simple loosening of the cooler lines and then joining them together with the bridge line. Fasten it down with a couple of black zip ties and it shouldn't look too bad either. And if anyone asks what it is, explain to them. Easy stuff.

Or spend more money and install a good thermostat (like a Canton unit). See my gallery for pics.

-Dean

fastd · #12 (**permalink**) 10-25-2009, 10:39 AM

Dean,
I tried to go to your gallery to see your set up but I didn't see it.

I am not sure I follow; you hook the existing lines into a bridge line? How does that turn off the flow?
What if I just inserted some valved fitting and stopped the flow to the cooler? Would that work? I guess I would drain the oil out of the oil lines to the cooler after I valved them closed...

RedBarchetta · #13 (**permalink**) 10-25-2009, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fastd

Dean,
I tried to go to your gallery to see your set up but I didn't see it.

I am not sure I follow; you hook the existing lines into a bridge line? How does that turn off the flow?
What if I just inserted some valved fitting and stopped the flow to the cooler? Would that work? I guess I would drain the oil out of the oil lines to the cooler after I valved them closed...

I just checked my gallery and must have deleted a recent pic of my Canton thermostat set-up. I think you can still see it in one of the engine pics.

But just to help you (and others) out, I just snapped these pics of the bridge and how it would attach.

And no one give me any crap for the oil residue on the one fitting...has been cleaned and fixed!

-Dean

Blas · #14 (**permalink**) 10-25-2009, 01:44 PM

What you need to do with the bridge is put a piece of plastic hosing on the braided hose so IF you should ever need to use it, it won't scratch up the aluminum where it will be resting...But you know, since you have made the provision for a cooler failure, you'll never have a problem with it....Murphy's Law #11...

fastd · #15 (**permalink**) 10-25-2009, 01:47 PM

Oh, I see. The bridge just bypasses the oil cooler...

What do you think about the idea of using shut off values at the other end of the lines, i.e. right off of the oil filter housing?

Gunner · #16 (**permalink**) 10-25-2009, 01:55 PM

You can't easily put shutoff valves anywhere in oil plumbing, since it's a loop. (Also consider that if you use two valves, putting them in mismatched positions would block oil flow and be disastrous.) I've never seen a Y valve in AN plumbing, although one might exist. In any case, shutting off the entire long loop to the cooler would be preferable for several reasons. You would probably want some seep pressure through the cooler and lines to keep the oil from sludging up in there.

Thought RB's way: that's a nice emergency piece. I was looking a AN part prices and found it would be cheaper to use AN-NPT unions and a section of iron pipe. Nowhere near as pretty or sexy, but certainly functional and a good "get-her-home" part.

fastd · #17 (**permalink**) 10-25-2009, 02:18 PM

thanks for your thoughts gents.

Blas · #18 (**permalink**) 10-25-2009, 02:44 PM

If you have some money to spend. Here is a link to a fantastic solution to the problem.

www.beaumontmetalworks.com/index-perf-ap.html

Totally adjustable and a work of art...

Gunner · #19 (**permalink**) 10-25-2009, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blas

If you have some money to spend. Here is a link to a fantastic solution to the problem.

Those are beautiful, but almost ridiculously expensive. You can put on a Canton oil thermostat for less than half that price and never have to worry about oil temp one way or the other again. The Cantons are pretty, too.

RedBarchetta · #20 (**permalink**) 10-26-2009, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gunner

Those are beautiful, but almost ridiculously expensive.

For 100% billet (and terrific craftsmanship), they are actually selling at a decent price. Until you hold one in your hand (the pictures don't do the unit justice), it's hard to talk it down. I considered going to this at one point (with AN12 all the way through and around) but backed down. I do have the billet collapsable jack stands though...one of Rob's first customers on those.

-Dean