Engine Drivetrain 1st Gen Cooper S Oil Cooler Options

Discussion in 'Tuning and Performance' started by mini_racer, May 12, 2009.

  1. mini_racer

    mini_racer Well-Known Member

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    #1 mini_racer, May 12, 2009
    Last edited: May 14, 2009
    OK folks, what are your opinions on aftermarket oil coolers. To me it seems like it might be good insurance especially for hot climates like Texas, and even more so for any track events.

    There does not seem to be many out there to select from as a made-up turnkey kit ready to install.

    Who's running what? And what do you recommend?

    Various options I guess would be accommodations for a pressure and temp sensor, and then a thermostat.

    At the moment I am leaning toward the RMW system, you can get a complete set-up with the fittings for the gauges, but not sure about the T-stat. Not even really sure if the T-stat is important. Madness has one as well.

    Any thoughts?
     
  2. miniconcarne

    miniconcarne New Member

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  3. ScottinBend

    ScottinBend Space Cowboy
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    Madness seems to have the best value right now, seeing as how they have the nice adapter plate.

    The t-stat is the big question, lots of differing opinions. Guess it all depends on the climate where you are at.

    I have held off getting one cause winters around here are actually cold.........:D. But am getting real close to just going for it cause of the summer temps we get around here and the fact that the OEM oil cooler can leak into the coolant.
     
  4. mini_racer

    mini_racer Well-Known Member

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    Thanks for the article miniconcarne, a nice quick read.

    So, when you install an aftermarket cooler, what happens to the OEM heat exchanger thingie with coolant running through it? Is that disabled somehow? Edit: OK see it in the instructions, the OEM unit is 'replaced', so it is totally out of the system.

    Scottinbend, the RMW kit is very similar to the Madness, same plate, or at least similar, but I think the cooler itself is a little larger. Can't tell from the RMW site though, not much up there.
     
  5. ScottinBend

    ScottinBend Space Cowboy
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    Yes, I do believe that the RMW one is larger, with a price tag to match. Not sure how important the size is for a daily driver with a few track days thrown in.
     
  6. Thegasteck

    Thegasteck New Member

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    After a long drive or hard run, is it oil or coolant that continues to circulate for five minutes. If it is the oil or coolant, will adding the oil cooler in any way prevent the circulation of whatever fluid through the turbo after shut down?
     
  7. Nitrominis

    Nitrominis Banned

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    #7 Nitrominis, May 12, 2009
    Last edited: Sep 7, 2009
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  8. Nitrominis

    Nitrominis Banned

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    #8 Nitrominis, May 12, 2009
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  9. mini_racer

    mini_racer Well-Known Member

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    Very impressive

    But I am not going to go that far. I just want a decent oil cooler, with a thermostat and will need to be able to measure temp and pressure.

    I honestly do not yet see a turnkey system available with all of the features I want. Also hoping to avoid tube and fin designs.

    BTW Nitro, what kind of temp deltas were you able to measure after the installation of your crazy-cool system?
     
  10. Nitrominis

    Nitrominis Banned

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    #10 Nitrominis, May 12, 2009
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  11. Bimmer Lite

    Bimmer Lite New Member

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    I'm definitely looking into this as well - oil temps on track get up to 260-275 according to my (now tapped into the oil pan) stock VDO oil temp gauge :eek6:

    Typically I do a day or a weekend like this then change the oil pretty much immediately afterwards...

    If I get the Madness unit without a t-stat, does that mean I'll never get the oil up to operating temperature in the winter?

    - Marc
     
  12. BlimeyCabrio

    BlimeyCabrio Oscar Goldman of MINIs
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    Nitro.... I'm SOOOOO glad you're here... :Thumbsup:

    And I absolutely love his quote...

    :lol:
     
  13. mini_racer

    mini_racer Well-Known Member

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    #13 mini_racer, May 13, 2009
    Last edited: May 13, 2009
    I am coming to that very same conclusion. I may have to end up piecing it together as you have done. However, I don't think I will need nearly as many pieces.

    Also, no problem on the data, I am just trying to understand what to realistically expect.
     
  14. mdbsat

    mdbsat New Member

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    So true......

    Defending oil temp deltas, sounds like fun:crazy:
     
  15. Nitrominis

    Nitrominis Banned

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    #15 Nitrominis, May 13, 2009
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    [**
     
  16. mini_racer

    mini_racer Well-Known Member

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    Nitro, I think you misread Marc's post. He is concerned about getting up to temp in the winter withOUT a T-stat.

    Definitely true that you will bypass the oil cooler if you have a t-stat and it is too cool. This is exactly the desired operation.
     
  17. mini_racer

    mini_racer Well-Known Member

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    Also, as far as location, I am planning to mount the cooler right in front of the AC heat exchanger, just like what RMW, and Madness recommend. I expect to get enough flow there. So, is there any reason why you did not automatically select that location?
     
  18. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

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    Is 180 F high enough to burm out the impurities and allow the oil to thin to the level it needs to flow well?

    I'm curious Nitromini, where do you take the reading from, before or after the long route to the cooler as all that hose in the air stream will have a cooling effect as well.
     
  19. Nitrominis

    Nitrominis Banned

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    #19 Nitrominis, May 13, 2009
    Last edited: Sep 7, 2009
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  20. mini_racer

    mini_racer Well-Known Member

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    Marc is asking if there could be problem in getting the engine up to temp, or even keeping the engine at a high enough temp in cold weather/climates if:
    1. you install an oil cooler, and
    2. your oil cooler system does NOT have a t-stat
     

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