im currently building a b18c1 with a basic eagle rod/cp pistons,arp headstuds ect.. the plan is to use it for track racing (roadracing/autocross in the states ?). anyway im a bit worried about the oil temps if im going to be flat out for a few laps.

my friend gave me a brand new oil cooler with a built in spal fan on the back, but its kinda big, it would be controlled with a thermostat so would the size effect anything else such as oil pressure ?.



thats a A4 peice of paper to get the idea of the size

 

That's a nice cooler. A boosted B18C is going to generate a lot of heat. I'd use it if there is a good place to mount it.

 

Your oil pressure wont be an issuse. That a damn nice cooler, run the hoe.

 

Is it always recomended to run a thermostat with an oil cooler? What are the downsides of not using one?

 

There is a reason we have a thermostat in our cooling systems. Get parts really hot and cool them off fast, and they warp or crack. Not to mention fuel mileage/performance will suck if your engine cannot maintain its minimum temperature. This is one of the reasons Honda oil coolers are cooled by the engines coolant, this keeps the temperature consistent.

Oil at different temperatures will have different viscosities, ideally you would want your oil temp at one temp all the time. Of course that temp would have to reflect the weight oil in use so that the right pressure is maintained.

Depending on what temp the thermostat opens will determine the pressure. As oils get hot it thins out, which allows it to squeak out of smaller spots. The goal of a cooler is to prevent the oil from coking and breaking down due to heat related failure, which would be observed on a road race track. They also can significantly extend the good life of the oil.

 

well theres plenty of room to fit it so think im gonna go ahead and use it. not sure if i should wire the fan to the radiator fan or to a oil temp switch.