For the last 2 years I've had an oil cooler sitting in storage, I just haven't felt that I couldn't justify the installation of it. I've been toying around with installing the oil cooler before making the 40 hour drive to the EXPO, and as some added protection for the increased track usage that the car will be used for in the upcoming year. Last year I did ~5 track days, and a couple of them were in some very high heat days, I was a little worried

The oil cooler that I would be using is realatively small at ~12X5, essentially it's just the B&M oil cooler kit that's been refitted with stainless lines.

I do have an oil temp guage, unfortunately it wont be installed until I get my oil pan back from being baffled, which could be another month

Thought and opinions, pros/cons?

Thank you for your input,

Austin

 

There's nothing wrong with added protection so I say go for it. At 12x5 I wouldn't think it would be large enough to cause any major loss in oil pressure, so I think it'll be a good addition.

 

baffled oil pan is a good idea for the track.. maybe wait until you get temp gauge installed and then see if stock one good enough.. run higher oil weight while at the track.

 

Not needed IMO.

 

shakespeare

get an oil pressure gauge first...I've always wondered if those B&M coolers messed up pressure enough to worry...

anywho, I would make your decision on how COLD it gets...since you'll be out there with cardboard and duct tape blocking the thing off if it ever drops in temperature where you are.

 

I would not bother as long as your coolant system is working fine.

Imho I see it as something else to fail, and being on the road (going to expo and back) you don't want to get stuck cause that would suck.

Besure to use the baffled pan, no doubt about that. And the oil temp guage, might as well install that, and then if you see your running the oil in the upper range then add the oil cooler.

 

If its on an NA street car, make sure the cooler system has a good thermostat.

 

How often do you race your car, Austin? If your car sees autocross or road courses regularly, it wouldn't be a bad choice. But if you race maybe once or twice a year, I think it would be overkill.

I suppose you can never be too careful, but maybe invest in something like an oil catch can before an oil cooler.

(BTW, don't ITRs have oil coolers from the factory? I know the 94-5 GS-Rs did.)

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by TheGSRGuy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">How often do you race your car, Austin? If your car sees autocross or road courses regularly, it wouldn't be a bad choice. But if you race maybe once or twice a year, I think it would be overkill.

I suppose you can never be too careful, but maybe invest in something like an oil catch can before an oil cooler.

(BTW, don't ITRs have oil coolers from the factory? I know the 94-5 GS-Rs did.)</TD></TR></TABLE>

well,

i'd prolly get more benefit from buying altezzas and shoving them on my car than running a catch can for a stock motor

so i guess its all subjective

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Austin &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
I do have an oil temp guage, unfortunately it wont be installed until I get my oil pan back from being baffled, which could be another month
</TD></TR></TABLE>

over a month to get a pan baffled? jesus... maybe i should start doing them for people.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by D &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">over a month to get a pan baffled? jesus... maybe i should start doing them for people.</TD></TR></TABLE>

In a week or so I will have a "spare" stock pan...

 

I don't have an oil cooler, but i might be of help for you since i fit a oil temp gauge from when i own my ITR with jdm 11.1:1 compression engine.

The car runs very high oil temperature from the factory.
In stock form with the crap stock 4-2-1 iron collector these were temps:
cruising 210°-230° F;
racing 290°-300° F;
but on hot days was enought to reach 280°-290°F 8-10 miles of driving on thirth gear constantly at 7500-8000 rpm (try it if you don't believe me) or driving at high speed on the highways at 6000-7000 rpm (yes in my country we can).

Those temp values went a bit down when i fitted a full Mugen 4-1 header, 2.5 Carsound cat and twin loop probabily for the better exaust gas scavenging.
Cruising 210°-220° F
Racing 270°-285° F

Better oil temps were measured when i started to use Mugen thermostat:
Cruising 185°-210° F
Racing still 275°-280°, but it needs extended time to reach these values.

When the oil reachs those temps you feel the engine noisy and loosing response.
Dyno showed a loss of 6-7 whp when oil temps go over 230° F.

I have to conclude that if you often race or always drive in vtec oil cooler is a must or at least a lower temp thermostat otherwise you will stress the engine and will not get a constant performance level.

And catch can is a must too.

About oil cooler simply read this test
http://www.sportauto.cc/Oil-Co...t.htm
It's the best review that i never found.
The Mocal unit showed a 210° F max temp and only a 2 psi pressure lost.

P.S.:From all this you will understand that i feel safe only if i change engine oil every 3000 miles.

 

Mugen thermostat and baffled pan here.


'I' don't think a cooler is needed... unless you run long sessions.

 

Hello Will

 

Hello Paul.

.
If you flush your oil after every event (I do) that will help.

 

I have a related Q: what if you run a bigger radiator (fluidyne), would that be enough not to need an oil cooler on track days?

 

Install the cooler ! It`s a must for track use. My engine burns no more oil since I own an oil cooler.

 

Running the lines in an efficient manner to minimize pressure drop is an issue with oil coolers.

I have a 24 row Setrab one sitting in the shop for my car too.

I think I will put it in though for the reasons PaulITR said.

 

I know that a track ITR with bigger radiator (58 mm. thick) was still running 270°F oil temp... then the crew fitted an oil cooler and temps went to 230°F.

 

Austin, you have seen and know that I have the same oil cooler as yours. Although I didn't installed an oil gauge, my car's engine bay temp feel cooler and drop faster after a long drive. How do I notice the different? I pop my hood and leave it open after every long drive.

 

There is no good reason not to have one. If your oil temps are getting over 250 during sessions you should seriously think about it. If your oil temps are at 300, time for a cool down lap and some parked time. If your oil temp is 300 in a line or oil pan just think how much hotter it is in the bearings. :gasp: is it even lubricating?
Not a doomsday guy but I like my oil temps no higher than 225.

 

The Type R I just purchased has a Cooler on it and a fat Radiator. The car was previously used for Track Work and the past Owner said it was just there for his and his Engine Builders (Toda Brisbane Australia) peace of mind. Now I run Hill Climbs and Time Attack. I've run it once so far in Hill Climbs and watching the Guage's I will be taking it off as the Oil (Penrite 5w40) isn't reaching anywhere near temperature. Certainly not going to need it for Time Attack either. Just extra weight in the wrong place......

 

13 years later. You state something that you could have decided for yourself without the announcement and saved the key strokes.

I'll recommend this to be closed.

 

So Mr Mod. You've been here for 16 hey? Hi time for new blood and new technological info I reckon.

You must be quite Senior and running short on patience and tolerance of anybody else appreciating this Site.

Plus this is my first Honda (race car) and I don't need to have sarcasm directed at me first time here.

I'll check the dates of all the subjects I read here from now on if that's ok with you.

 

That'd be best. Or better yet, start a New thread with all the great technological and up-to-date processes regarding oil coolers for a 20 year old platform, and hopefully enlighten us with all the mind-blowing innovations you have up your sleeve that would surely embarrass the Honda Engineers to the point of receiving royalty payments bearing your name. ;-)

Thanks.