I tried a search and I also have tons of info on how to construct a remote oil cooler but I want to see one in a CRX... I have info for an ITR and an HX but nothing for the EF 2nd gen.

If anyone has one or has links to info about a "CRX" with remote oil cooler I would be much appreciative.

Thank you.

P.S. I'm going to be installing mine in the next couple months and need some ideas on location and routing.

 

Do you still have the AC? Do you plan to use a remote filter? The block adapter that you have read about on the ITR will fit the CRX block, so you can use the same one. I routed my oil lines from the block adapter to a remote filter that sits where my AC compressor used to sit. I like it there because it's well protected from minor front end damage as it sits behind the main crossmember and bumper support. I also don't have the AC condenser, which makes perfect space for an oil cooler on the driver's side in front of the radiator. That keeps the lines pretty short and away from most moving parts. Sorry, no pics.

 

I have AC. I have it because this is my daily driver that I autocross and will soon be taking to Laguna Seca.

I thought about using a sandwich adapter that keeps the oil filter in the original location and locating a small oil cooler where the air resonator used to be (the one you have to remove to install a cold air intake). I thought about cutting a hole in the bottom plastic shields to prove some sort of air scoop that would bring air up to that little cooler and I was also thinking about a cooler with a small 12v fan attached to it with a toggle switch.

The next car I build will not have AC but this is my daily driver... I need some Opinions on my idea for the setup.

Please, thank you.

 

Not CRX but pretty close
http://hybrid2.honda-perf.org/tech/oilcooler/index.html
HTH
chris

 

I appreciate the help but it is info I have already attained. I'm looking "strictly" for info partaining to a crx... more specifically, a crx with AC. Although I understand this is going to be difficult because anyone installing an oil cooler will probably be racing their crx in which case they most likely would have removed the AC.

I don't think I can fit one infront of my AC condensor but I'm curious if I can make it fit where my resonator used to be.

I need to know exactly where I'm going to mount things and run things before I buy all the parts so I don't throw away cash.

 

Well, you're going to be limited to a pretty small cooler if you try to tuck it up by the resonator (esp. since the fittings do take up some space unless you spend a ton more for the special 45/60/90 degree fittings $$$). I guess you could run a 3" duct from the bumper to the cooler, but that seems like a lot of trouble. Are you sure you really need one? What's your oil temp gauge running?

 

Not a duct from the front of the bumper to the cooler... nah, that's too much. I was thinking from the splash guard to the cooler. See, if the cooler is in the location of the resonator then the only seperating it from the ground below are those plastic splash guards. I could have a little 12v fan on the cooler and remove the splash guards to promote more abundant ambient air or I could keep the guards on and cut a hole that would "act" as an underbody air scoop. (very little time and effort for either idea)

I don't have an oil temp guage or pressure guage but would install one while doing the oil cooler.

Here's why I want the cooler (even though I don't have the foggiest what my temps are because I've never ran an HPDE before, only autocross): My AC condensor sits infront of my (brand new) radiator and the bumper has an opening in the front (duh) that allows air to pass through both condensor and radiator BUT that opening on the front of the ef bumper only allows air to pass through the bottom half of the condensor/rad very readily. This is where my need for the cooler comes in. Almost all the fins on the lower half of my AC condensor are bent from 13 years of being in the car and several road trip (me and previous ownder) therefore not as much air passes through the most important part of the condensor/radiator units, THE LOWER HALF.

Before I had the b16 I lived in AZ with the a d16a6 and the same condensor/radiator and my car got hot a few times in the summer without ever running past 5k rpms (basic highway driving).

Since I'd be running over 2 hours in vtec at laguna I want my engine to last as long as possible and the need for oil to remain at it's highest of quality is a must for me. If my engine got hotter than it should be just driving around town with the AC on in Phoenix then I definitely need to do something to keep the oil temps down running for an extended period of time at 8k rpms+...


If you take the time to read all that I hope you see why I'm going forth with the cooler even though I am ignorant to my temps in a "racing" type enviroment. I can't afford to treat my "daily driver" with anything less than the best because it is, after all, my daily driver!

edit: that's post #1000


[Modified by rice_classic, 3:36 PM 11/23/2002]

 

Heh, I read it. I guess the only thing to do is try to find a local shop that carries oil coolers and test fit a few in the location you're hoping to use. Any of the CRX setups I've seen were done in cars with no AC, so I have never seen a setup in that location in a CRX. However, I know that it is not uncommon at all to mount coolers in strange places and vent them properly so in theory it should work fine.
You still may want to see if there's room up front even with your rad and condenser in place. That would certainly be the easiest and most effective. Without coolent temps, it's hard to say if your radiator is suffering from the air flow loss or not (but if it's new, you're likely okay.).

 

Thinking about it a little more I realize that if the condensor is keeping a lot of air from going to the lower half of the radiator then if I put the oil cooler infront of the condensor, all air possible with travel through cooler but same amount will still be repeled by bent fins from condenser AFTER it passes through the cooler.

Basically the epiphony I just had was, if I put the cooler INFRONT of the condensor it will not changing the vetilating properties of my radiator. phew.. my brain hurts.

 

Excuse my bluntness, and, yes I did read it all. Do you really need an oil cooler or do you just want one? Money might be better spent on a condenser that will allow air to better flow to your radiator or possibly one hour or so un-bending fins on the one you have now. Have you explored the itr style cooler that goes under the oil filter and connects to the coolant system? If you "need" a cooler, you have already justified it to yourself so have at it, oil cooling can only be an improvement. Don't sweat the small stuff, buy it, instal it and get on with the next improvement. My $.02
chris

 

My mind was made up to get one in the beginning.. but I do appreciate your response chris.

My post was to examine the best way to go and also get some thoughts or Idea about installation.

To be honest with you I think it's foolish to run your car for 3 hours in vtec in california and NOT have an oil cooler, especially when you're looking at prolonging life of your daily driver.

Believe me, I HAVE spent time trying to "un-bend" the fins but if you've tried it yourself you'd understand that it takes more than an hour. You usually end up doing more harm then good.

I don't just "buy stuff and install it" I do all the research I can and get all the opinions and thoughts about it that I possibly can find.... so that I don't waste money on mistakes or do something wrong that causes me further cash or inconvenience or both.

Since we're on the same page now... do you have any suggestions about the location of the cooler on a crx with AC or do you have any info on best places to buy them along with lines and fittings?

All the help I can get is appreciated... Thank you again.

 

here is a post about oil filter relocation and oil coolers:
https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=212849

also search in the road racing.auto-x forum for oil cooler and there should be info in there for fittings and whatnot.

 

Yes, I agree, 3 hours racing in the heat, you should have oil cooling. If you have a 90-91 CRX, you could cutout the "fog lamp" area as we do for a CAI. There should be a substantial airflow thru there at racing speeds. My intent in previous a post was to suggest that if you have a problem (radiator, condenser, etc) that caused it to run hot, it would make sense to me to correct the problem first. This could be an opportunity for an improvement. IE better radiator ($$$), better airflow thru your existing radiator, then look at oil cooling. I agree with locating the oil cooler elswhere than in front of the radiator because any heat removed from the oil goes right thru the radiator into the coolant, duh! Good luck with your project.
HTH
chris