Oil cooler placement and orientation?

A930Rocket · 03:43 PM

Started last weekend on my oil cooler for the 330 track car and had a few questions. Not wanting to block airflow to the radiator, take a look at the pictures attached. Would it be better to install it centered directly behind the bumper or on the left vertically? I drilled four 3” holes in the bumper to add airflow, but which way do you think disrupts the airflow the least to the radiator. I also have a 6 inch fan I can install on it as well.

Since most of the air enters the two kidneys and below the bumper, I’m thinking install the oil cooler behind the bumper with the fan. I have four plastic duct flanges, that will help aim the air towards the oil cooler/fan.

masraum · 08-15-2022, 03:37 PM

You forgot the pics.

A930Rocket · 08-15-2022, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by masraum

You forgot the pics.

On my phone, I can’t add pictures on the original post, so I have to do it on my second one, then copy and paste to my first post. 😂

mattdavis11 · 08-15-2022, 04:16 PM

I would install it in the middle behind the bumper. Duct two inside holes for the oil cooler, the outer holes would be ducted around the oil cooler to supply air flow to the middle of the condenser.

I'm guessing this track car will be multi-purpose and will have functional a/c? If not, remove the condenser.

A930Rocket · 08-15-2022, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattdavis11

I would install it in the middle behind the bumper. Duct two inside holes for the oil cooler, the outer holes would be ducted around the oil cooler to supply air flow to the middle of the condenser.

I'm guessing this track car will be multi-purpose and will have functional a/c? If not, remove the condenser.

Good ideas. I wonder if I could buy/fabricate two megaphone type ducts from the inlets to the oil cooler. Or straight duct, but run short of the oil cooler by 6 to 12 inches to get dispersion on the oil cooler face.

What about the fan? Run that to bring cool air through as well? I think the fan with two ducts would be good…

I’d like to take the AC and all components out for weight savings, but I do use it driving to and from the track and around town sometimes. Gotta have my AC. 🥵

Scott Douglas · Scott Douglas's Garage

I'd mount the cooler on the side opposite the one where the cooled water exits the radiator to go to the engine.
I once had an Alfa that had an air conditioner condenser left in place and it was very effective at blocking the air going through the radiator.
Creating a negative pressure behind the radiator will help the air pass through all those fins.

A930Rocket · 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott Douglas

I'd mount the cooler on the side opposite the one where the cooled water exits the radiator to go to the engine.
I once had an Alfa that had an air conditioner condenser left in place and it was very effective at blocking the air going through the radiator.
Creating a negative pressure behind the radiator will help the air pass through all those fins.

The cool side of the radiator is the blue box.

I have an electric fan behind the radiator. Is that what you’re talking about with negative pressure?

Edit: I also need to force air from the two red areas into the radiator opening.

beepbeep · 08-16-2022, 12:18 AM

Have you considered heat exchanger?

I got rid of Setrab oil cooler on our track E30 and replaced it with water/oil heat exchanger. Bliss. No more oil thermostat, water thermostat takes care of everything. Oil is heated up quicker whole installation is easier as we do not need oil hoses going over radiator. Visco fan is removed too, so car relies on air moving. Radiator upgraded to "tropic".

A930Rocket · 08-16-2022, 04:14 AM

I had not thought about a heat exchanger. Actually, I didn’t even know about it! Since I have all the parts needed for what I have, I’m going with it.

The radiator I have is a thicker all aluminum CSF radiator.

Scott Douglas · Scott Douglas's Garage

If the blue box is cool side I'd mount on the other side so heat is dumped into the rad and still has a chance to cool off. Just the way I'd do it, not saying it's correct. I've always taken the position that air, a lot like water, will always follow the path of least resistance.
Yes, the fan behind the radiator will create the negative pressure as long as it's ducted properly.

3rd_gear_Ted · 08-16-2022, 07:47 AM

You need more air flow capacity behind the cooler. Rear side is just as important as front.

rusnak · 08-16-2022, 08:50 AM

Your water temp activated fan will run and shut off out of sync with the oil cooler. That's because water will shed heat much faster than oil. You just might consider making the oil cooler bigger and separately fan/ ducted from the water radiator. Also pay attention to the running temperature differences between water from the heads and oil from the pan or wherever you're plumbing it in from.

A930Rocket · 08-16-2022, 01:16 PM

I’ve been thinking about it a little more. If I left it that close to the condenser/radiator it would concentrate heat in a small area. If I move it out it would allow the hot air to disperse somewhat through the condenser/radiator. This would also put it closer to the 3 inch holes up front. If needed, I can install the 6” fan on the backside as a puller to pull air through.