Is this a good spot for an oil cooler?

[seymore]

Has anyone ever put an oil cooler in a bumper like this? I was thinking I might try but wanted to get some insight in the matter before I started. Ive seen some oil coolers about this size in the parts forum but haven't bought one yet. What do you guys think good idea bad idea? Thanks Jake

[Brorag]

one of the factory A/C condensers are put there--oughta work for an oil cooler also--just protect it well

[khamul02]

I think the actual intention of that Ruf style valance is for an oil cooler. Me and a few others have put AC condensers there with superb results.

[Joe Bob]

Sure why not? Make sure there is space behind it....

[aigel]

Only cool until you hit the curb.

George

[911pcars]

It's the most efficient location for a cooler in a 911. Even if air space behind a mounted cooler is limited, it's way more efficient than burying a cooler in the fender.

Sherwood

[seymore]

Does anyone know what kind of oil cooler I should use for this bumper?

[Steve@Rennsport]

Originally Posted by 911pcars

It's the most efficient location for a cooler in a 911. Even if air space behind a mounted cooler is limited, it's way more efficient than burying a cooler in the fender.

Sherwood

If I can offer another perspective on this subject,.....

Two fender-mounted coolers that have some air getting to them is FAR preferable to a big front-mounted cooler that has been mounted too close to the tub. Airflows must be able to get out as easily as it can get into the face of the cooler.

Oil coolers are in fact, heat exchangers and if they cannot "exchange" (meaning that little or no air can flow through the core and get out the backside), they cannot control oil temperatures for you.

One must consider airflow in BOTH directions when designing and constructing an oil cooler system.

[911pcars]

Notwithstanding Steve's technical expertise, the key phrase is air flow. Without adequate air flow, the largest oil cooler is at a handicap. Comparing the efficiency of the same cooler area; one behind the fender (factory location) and one in the front center, a center mounted cooler receives much more air, and oil temperatures are better controlled. From many responses on this forum over the years, this setup appears to be valid for all street-based engines up to about 3.2 liters, even with limited air exit space behind the cooler.

The engine displacement/oil cooler equation becomes less clear with larger displacement engines that require more oil cooler area than that supplied by a single center-mount cooler, especially by aftermarket FG bumpers with a limited oil cooler opening. For larger displacement engines, two large fender mount coolers with air ducting and perhaps electric fans and/or in combination with a center-mounted cooler with fabricated exit air ducting is one solution.

Sherwood

[David]

My oil cooler is located behind a C2 FG bumper on the tub. It does not have adequete clearance between the tub and the oil cooler, but it still works! I've never seen temps over 1/3 of the gauge even in a Houston summer. I've only done one DE with the setup and it was cool with me driving, but getting a little warm (2/3's gauge) when I let an experienced 911 racer drive it at the track.

My point to all this is that even with a less than optimum mounting behind the bumper, it cools well. I plan to move the oil cooler out from the tub for better cooling at the track.

[Bill Verburg]

An oil cooler is exactly what that valance is designed to accomodate, it is the most efficient location. A medium to small cooler there will be the equivalent of a large cooler in the fender because of the disparity in air flow.

RS & RSR 911 have mounted coolers there since the early '70s, Ruf picked up on it in the late '70s early '80s

Here is a Ruf design


Other implementations


Mine, w/ a B&B cooler, works great for cooling a 3.8RS

[seymore]

Bill, what kind of cooler is that? do you know where I can get one?

[Bill Verburg]

Originally Posted by seymore

Bill, what kind of cooler is that? do you know where I can get one?

B&B oil cooler, valance mount, PEL-BBKT3