Most oils are designed to work optimally at 100C. Not sure I would want to try and keep it that cool. I think the RX cooler is going to be too big, unless you do some extensive bumper mods. I measured mine and the space will allow around an 7x20x3/4" cooler.
This is roughly my understanding as well, so a thermostat of 149F is way too cold. 215F to 230F seems like it would be a better thermostat opening point.
Nitro, 1. Excellent point on the 'actual' oil temp, the measured value is highly dependant on the measurement location. This ties in to my concern about the location of the t-stat and also makes me think about the integrated 149F t-stat in the RX7 that M0 is working on. While I do not know if that temp is the proper value for our cars, I would think that having the t-stat on the adapter plate would require a higher value open point as it is closer to the heat source. So, 149F at the cooler may not be that far off, if you really need a ~200F at the plate. So, is 180, 200, or 220F a good temp to run.......well I guess it depends on where you are measuring the temp. No data on what the numbers would be though. 2. Have not called Earl's yet, on my list though. Plenty of good info on that site, thanks.
Ok, I did some more research on what oil temps are considered to be "good". The result I generally found was ~ 180F like Nitro mentioned. I am no oil expert, but I am a pilot and only just in the beginning of my career starting as a flight instructor. So I do fly air cooled piston engines 98% of the time. Really as long as the oil temps are "in the green" they are OK, and that is anywhere between 100-240F. But the engines do tend to run at ~180. In the research I found that the reason 180 is a good temp is that the temps of the oil on the piston skirts and doing the actual lubricating are normally 50-75* hotter. Sustained temps above 212 are desired to burn off any moisture in the oil. However, in the research I read that pan temps need not be this high. Also, with a little hands on research (which I should have done before), I found that the RX7 cooler will not fit unless there is some cutting done to the bumper. While I like the RX7 cooler, and for the money it is probably the best one out there. I'm not looking to cut up the bumper. Thus instead I'm thinking about a Setrab 910 cooler which is 16"x3"x2" and maybe something like this 180* thermostat Here are some pics of the dimensions for all to see.
Hey Nitro, thanks for the luck! Times like this I need it I see you are in Santa Cruz, do you ever make it to the NorCal UFO AutoX's in Marina? To keep my post on topic : I received my Moss Motors adapter plate and it looks like a nice piece. The holes for the fittings look to be about AN-8 size. Will post pics soon.
Ok, just to keep you guys updated...I really haven't made much progress as I was pretty set on using the RX7 oil cooler and have been having a hard time finding something else I could use that I would not have to cut the bumper, and would still be efficient. Well, there honestly isn't much out there that fits in our tiny space. Jan @ RMW does have a really bitchin cooler that is 23x5x1.5 that would just barely fit and its a dual pass...the only problem with it is its a little pricey. Honestly though for what it is, its not expensive at all. A "custom" built core that is equally priced to off the shelf cores of similar size which are all at least one dimension off from being optimum or fitting. Compared to any other kit on the market it would by far be the best...however since I already sourced an RX7 cooler and the RX7 cooler is very similar in size, just a little thicker which will require cutting the bumper. Also, Jan hasn't quite finished the kit yet, the coolers do not have any brackets on them to bolt them up. Thus that would have to be welded on after, and I would also need to add a thermostat. With all that said, I'm planning on using the RX7 cooler again...sure the bumper will need a little trimming, but I think I can make it so it still looks good. I will need to have brackets made for it as well, but it already has a thermostat. It may not be the route for everybody, but it'll work.
MZero, here is a cooler option for you. 13 Row Oil Cooler NEW: MG TC TD TF MGA MGB Mini TR4 TR6:eBay Motors (item 110405463951 end time Jul-21-09 12:03:07 PDT) Not sure 100% if this will fit, but I expect it could bolt underneath the bumper structure.
Yep, those are very similar to the Mocal and Setrab options I was looking at. In fact, that probably IS a Mocal or Setrab...just not branded, that way it is cheap. I actually made a cardboard cutout of the Setrab 910 and 920. The link you gave is about right in-between the two. 910=3" tall 920=6", though they are 16" long. That one probably would fit, with the cutouts I made, the 910 looked small. MAYBE it would be enough, but I'd hate to spend the money to find out it can't handle 105* temps on a track day...to only have to go bigger later on and cut the bumper. Also, with the way our bumper is, we would still need brackets attached to that cooler to get it to work. The fittings are not supposed to be mounted upside down, so I've been told, and with them straight up, they hit the bumper unless spaced down enough to get a 90 in there. I've also looked into the tube/fin styles that come in much thinner sizes, and many sizes that would fit. But I've been told that their efficiency is MUCH lower than the plate type style. Enough so that the setrab 910 at core size 13x3x2 is better than a 21x7x1.5 tube/fin 6pass. I found that wild...but, I was also getting it from people with racing experience for 20+ years. I did also hear praise for the RX7 cooler from a local racer. He actually just "upgraded" to it on his Turbo Miata. In 100+ track temps his oil temps stayed at a steady 180 the entire time...it is slight overkill, yes. But until somebody starts making a 20x4(or 5)x1 dual pass, single side exit core we wont have anything that is perfect.
Quick Question for you guru's..... At what temp would u say that the oil is to hot and needs a cooler?
The guys I race with only get concerned when the temps for their big blocks get above 230 or so. Then they start opening up the coolers a bit more. You mean Lynn and I actually agree on something.......LOL Look out hell must be getting really cold about now!
Look what I found.......FLUIDYNE FHP10026 TRANS OIL COOLER: 6 PASS/20mm MULTIFLOW (14x6.5x1) Anyone have any opinions on this one? And some Perma-cool options......... http://perma-cool.com/Catalog/Cat_page09.html
k I was on a drive this weekend and my OEM Oil Temp from the drain plug read approx. 107c (224.6fahrenheit)... Should I be concerned? Thinking about it, the tempt never got below about 102c (215.6f) Then asking bout the drain plug temps... Am I safe in assuming that the oil is much hotter higher up in the moving parts?