How about a do it yourself oil cooler????

[willyw]

Okay, this ought to stir up a lot of comments. I have a 76 911 with no external oil cooler and have been researching adding one. As always, everything for a porsche is sky high (at least to me here in the midwest). I have owned several sport cars over the years including triumph, mg, austin healy, sunbeam, datsun z ect. but find that porsche parts are by far the most expensive. Anyway, I was wondering why I couldn't use copper line and high pressure neophrene and an after market cooler to make my own oil cooler setup. I realize this is shocking, suggesting to use parts other than original on a p car but my car is a driver, not a show car and never will be. I have always liked the challenge of "rigging up" something original. Has anybody out there ever tried anything like this????Can it be done???? Please don't kick me off the board for asking---Bill

[Tim Walsh]

hmm..It would have to be large and able to handle lots of pressure. Enough to run GALLONS VERY quickly and be able to handle up to 100PSI or more even when slightly corroded(nasty winters in the midwest). I don't think there are many coolers that can handle that. But being a cheapskate I'd say try it.

[HawgRyder]

You could also consider a "surface" cooler like used in old aircraft.
If you go the do-it-yourself route....remember to use big tubing....1" or more.
Bob

[Adam]

Hi Bill,

A lot of guys here have fitted aftermarket coolers to their cars. The cooler from an RX-7 is a popular modification, but when you look at the factory cooler (Carrera Cooler) you realize just how thick it is. Like a radiator, the depth of the core is proportional to it's efficiency. The factory cooler is very beefy. I doubt you could get an aftermarket cooler (with the same kind of heat transfer competence) as good for the money.

Mocal is popular, as is BAT. Do a Google search and see what's up. Ebay is also a good place for coolers, but beware the used cooler. If an engine has failed (internally) then there are little pieces of someone else's motor stuck in it. Despite what is said about ultrasonic cleaning of coolers, it's near impossible to totally sanitize them.

[911pcars]

Behr makes the oil cooler for Porsche, and all the coolers available in the aftermarket are non-Porsche specific coolers adapted for the 911. The braided lines are not Porsche-specific nor are the fittings. So, can you do it? Sure, as other people (and companies) have. Just make sure the cooler and hose have the correct size fittings and there's enough surface area for the job. Like some of the Porsche coolers, some aftermarket coolers are more efficient than others.

Sherwood Lee
http://members.rennlist.org/911pcars

[ChrisBennet]

I put a Kokeln oil cooler in car (actually the body shop did). It is a bolt in replacement for the factory cooler only it is thicker.
-Chris

[willyw]

Yeah, lots to consider. I am most concerned with the amount of flow required and the operating pressures. The last thing I want to do is damage something! There are not many porsche salvage yards located near here so used parts are a premium. What about changing my 5 blade fan to 11 blade, does this really help cooling much? I know a previous post on this topic brought me several differing opinions.---Thanks as usual, Bill

[47silver]

if i were doing one from scratch. i would install a small heat exchanger in the oil cooler. then i would run water lines to the engine bay and then to a fender mounted radiator with a fan. i would use an overflow canister in the trunk and cycle the fan with a thermostat on one of the oil lines. i would use a water pump connected to the fan belt drive using an old air pump mounting brackets. if water lines get damaged the oil lines still stay intact. the water pump would pump plenty of water and if the rad was big enough it would easily cool the oil

see attached schematic

[SteveStromberg]

Take a look at this cooler.

Compact Oil Cooler Kit, 911 (1973-89), 911 Turbo (1976-77)
PEL-JM-CPT911 $249.95

[coolbreeze]

remember that there will be a therostat in line to the cooler. i was told that pushing cold, thick oil through a cooler is tough and detramental

[Dantilla]

Check out Chuck Moorlands website, too. Lotsa good info.

[Evans, Marv]

Bill:
Stay away from using copper line, especially for any lengths of span. Over time vibration tends to make it crack. The stock lines are made of brass, I believe. The metal lines radiate a lot of heat. Rubber lines won't.

[Moses]

What is the current setup?

I have a trombone cooler if you want it. (Not nearly as effective as a later cooler, but cooled my SC well.)

[CamB]

I had some made in brass, with flexi at either end (cheap in New Zealand because of cost of local labour vs cost of shipping - nothing available second hand). Make sure you get the same diameter as factory.

silver - "then i would run water lines" but that would be, I can't even say it, w a t e r cooled...

[thrown_hammer]

I have the Mocal set up with braided lines. It works well. And seems to be a bargain in the world of P-car oil coolers.
I looked thru Summit and some other racing catalogs for a cheap cooler solution. None of the coolers I could find had over a 1/2" inlet outlet. You need at least 3/4" ID to flow enough oil. Otherwise I think you would get a bottle neck and possibly oil starvation?

[jhelgesen]

I'm working on a setup for the 912-6. Bought a nice size Jaguar xk6 cooler off ebay for cheap, it's 2 x 5 x 11", 1" hose ends, and have a Mocal thermostat. Plan on installing it in the rear pass side wheel well with a fan pushing through it. May run a flexible duct to the bottom of the car to draw fresh air.

Where can I get a thermostat switch to turn the fan on?

[jpachard]

I am having a cooler put in my car that is actually a tranny cooler from the NASCAR guys. it fits well in the front and is only 300.00 and the quality is first rate. I check and get the name of the Mfg. in a bit if you would like it. We then just used AN to metric conversion fittings so you can hook right up to your stock lines.

Cheers, James

[Hetmann]

I would think an aftermarket cooler of any reasonable size and quality would do better that the trombone coil I have on my SC. Get one with a thermostatically controlled electric fan.

[Ove]

If you are looking for used oil coolers and fittings, check out this website:

http://www.musclemotorsports.com/

[zymurgist]

My car has an oil cooler in the right front fender well. The PO had some high pressure rubber hydraulic lines fabricated to connect the cooler to the engine. I don't know that much else about it but I could ask him for more details if anyone wants to know.