Which Oil Cooler

dpetteng · 03-28-2019, 12:47 PM

So, not for the purists..

I have a 1971 bay vw van that we have completely customized to take a 1985 3.2 Carrera engine that has been built by Bainbridge in the UK with PMO carbs etc.

The van obviously does not have an oil cooler and I will need one but I am unsure what capacity?

I think carreras has 2 x fender mounted coolers originally but we are putting the cooler under then van between the chassis rails that has plenty of airflow but what capacity cooler do I need? I intend to use a good brand like Mocal?

brighton911 · 03-28-2019, 04:20 PM

Your van sounds like it will be a ton o' fun. My 86 came with a simple "trombone" type cooler which was generally OK until it got really hot, like 90F (or 30 C) with stop and go traffic. So yes to adding a cooler with a thermostatic fan is a must. And also important, you must retain the 3.2 fender mount thermostat so the cooler only comes into play when necessary. I'll have to look in my records to see what brand and size of cooler I used. Once I have that info, I'll post it.

lvporschepilot · 03-28-2019, 05:07 PM

Mocal thermostat with 12an fittings. 44 row setrab cooler should be fine. Awesome build!

Trackrash · Trackrash's Garage

A good choice would be the original Carrera front fender cooler with the stock thermostat, as mentioned. If you could find a used unit, you would be good to go. I believe our host has the kits new as well.

Have you seen this guys VW van also with a Carrera motor?
Porsche Powered Mid-Engine Double Cab

dpetteng · 03-29-2019, 12:15 AM

So I was thinking about the original cooler but its simply the wrong shape to fit in the space we have, hence the mocal thought.

I assumed the 85 era 911's would be past the trombone coolers.

Absolutely using a thermostat to only send oil to the cooler when needed. I was really trying to figure out the capacity I would need to replace any other coolers they had originally (apart from the one that is actually on the engine.

Trackrash · Trackrash's Garage

I believe all the Carreras used the newer style cooler. Porsche ended the trombone sometime in the '70s, or early '80s.

Keep in mind that the Carreras had a fan in addition to the cooler. Depending on your needs that may be a consideration.

dpetteng · 03-30-2019, 10:15 AM

Trackrash, I didn't know that, thanks. So any suggestions on a spec of an oil cooler you can get a fan kit for as well? I can't find either mocal or setrab 44 row coolers that have fan kits?

Trackrash · Trackrash's Garage

You might want to search and ask in the 911 technical forum. There have been a number of threads on oil coolers.

I can't help with the fan. I am running a modified RX7 cooler, without a fan, in my front spoiler. Works great when I am moving.