To cool or not to cool

FL-Frank · 12-23-2009, 04:55 AM

I'm considering adding a front fender mounted oil cooler to my car, since the temp gauge tickles the 215 degree mark while driving here in SOFL during our hot summer months.

2.4 T with MFI, no A.C. - street driven only.

I'm leaning toward Elephant Racings wide mouth Carerra cooler kit. If anyone has first hand experience with this cooler, please share your comments regarding product quality, performance, longevity, etc.

Seconldy, what "real world" results - in terms of reduction in degrees - should I expect to achieve by adding a cooler?

thanks,

Frank

NineOhOne · 12-23-2009, 05:00 AM

215 is nuthin'. Just getting warmed up.

I live just down the street from you. Also have a 2.4T w/MFI and no external cooler (914-6). Never had a problem with motor temps.

regency · regency's Garage

Hi Frank, During the course of my resto / project ( 73 911 T, MFI Coupe built back to E spec ),
I purchased a front oil cooler system out of a salvaged modern Carrera. I use my 911 for weekend drives. The engine temp stays pretty cool this time of year, just under 180 and in the hot summer, it'll climb up past 200 just a bit. I don't think it's even gotten hot enough to open the thermostat yet. I'm glad I went to the trouble to install it.

Steve

mca · 12-23-2009, 06:08 AM

I run the Elephant fender cooler (no fan) and the finned oil lines.

During the summer here in Charleston (hot and terribly humid) I will see 210 while driving hard and 215 if I sit in traffic. I am considering adding the fan for those occasions when I get stuck in traffic.

The quality is superb however I have had minor weeping from one of the finned lines. First, the soldering cracked which I had repaired. Now it seems as though there is a weep from the joint just above the soldering point. These lines are much thicker than the OEM which makes for a pretty tight fit - so the line in question may be stressed.

FL-Frank · 12-23-2009, 02:22 PM

Thanks for the replies thus far.

Forgot to mention, the front bumper on my car is the steel S buumper if that makes any difference.

anyone else care to chime in?

thanks,

Frank

Head416 · Head416's Garage

I will be installing a Carrera style cooler with fan, most-likely from ER.

dtw · 12-23-2009, 02:49 PM

I have a '72T. Guesstimate at HP - no dyno session yet - is 180-195 FWHP. So I'm not in CA, but I have other thermal load issues.

My temps were running well past 215 - closer to 240 - in light street driving in the summer. I installed the Carrera cooler kit from Elephant, no fan. My temps have yet to go over 185. Usually it stays at 180.

The fitment is tight due to the battery box. Mine is installed w/o rubbing - I am running 205/55/R15 rubber and aggressive ride height.

If additional clearance and/or a fan is needed, the usual solution is to slice off the battery box to make space.

The '72 oil configuration will require some additional work:
-"Finish" machining the one-year oil filter console to accept a thermostat. The thermostat is, incidentally, the exact same as the one on the engine block.
-Pull plug and add 3rd fitting on console to accept oil line which routes to cooler circuit (plugged on non-cooler cars)
-Fabricate flex lines for back of circuit - to and from cooler circuit - which link up to the early-style shorter hardlines in Elephant's kit. One of them is super-short - a couple inches at best - and routes right from an elbow fitting at the hardline, straight up into the bottom of the fender-mounted oil tank. The other one routes past the tank up to the afore-mentioned new fitting on the filter console. Note that Chuck supplies all the parts for the hoses, you have to trial fit the parts, take them to a hose shop, and have them assembled. Note: Orientation of the fittings for the longer line is absolutely crucial. Measure twice, crimp once. These hoses are pretty expensive to make.

Here's a pic of how the hardlines look, as they link up to the elbows & flex hoses. Also one of my favorite pics of my car

FL-Frank · 12-23-2009, 04:32 PM

Looks pretty "cool" Dave

Which front bumper do you have on your T?

dtw · 12-23-2009, 06:32 PM

Standard steel T bumper.

Dantilla · 12-23-2009, 06:40 PM

I'm using ER's finned lines and cooler on my 3.2 powered '73 coupe. Here in the Seattle area, it's almost overkill, as I never see the temp guage even get to half way up.

Very happy with this setup.

rfuerst911sc · 12-24-2009, 03:06 AM

I have a 83SC and the previous owner replaced the hoop cooler with a real cooler. Not sure of the brand but I don't believe it really matters as they are all good quality. Mine also has a manually operated fan which is a feature I highly recommend. As others have stated being stuck in traffic in the south can drive up temps quickly. A flick of the switch and I see temps drop 10 degrees in minutes. Previous owner also installed a REAL temp gauge so I'm reading degrees. And when doing AX's or DE's I look at my gauges often, if the temp starts climbing over 215 - 220 I flip the switch on and life is good.

78-911SC · 12-24-2009, 03:46 AM

I also am planning this project. Will be using a 3.2 in a 70T. Have acquired both a non fan cooler and a fanned one. Will most likely use Elephant Racings lines. Looking forward to see how you handle the fitting with the battery box. Please post many pictures as you take each step it will help many.

RSstop · 12-24-2009, 05:16 AM

Hi Frank,
If you trust your 215 F max reading, you probably don’t need a cooler, but intuition says that adding a cooling to any 911 is a good idea. Just about any cooler will be enough if you aren’t tracking it. Expect to see temps near your thermostat value (180-190F) Center coolers work best, but with your stock front spoiler, you need a “fender mount” The other issue with the pre-74 cars is that the battery box will block direct air flow to a fender mount cooler. I just installed a complete Carrera system (oil lines thermostat and cooler) to one of Keith’s 73.5’s, but he chose to eliminate the battery box.

Chuck Mooreland (Elephant) makes great products. I am sure he will steer you in the right direction.

As Dave W. mentioned, the 72 oil tank location adds a lot of complexity. Dave,
Love the pic. That is what makes the 72 unique!
I think maintaining originality will play a big part in your decision because your car is so clean. It was great seeing you and your car a few weeks ago!
Lyn

86 911 Targa · 12-24-2009, 05:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FL-Frank

I'm considering adding a front fender mounted oil cooler to my car, since the temp gauge tickles the 215 degree mark while driving here in SOFL during our hot summer months.

2.4 T with MFI, no A.C. - street driven only.

I'm leaning toward Elephant Racings wide mouth Carerra cooler kit. If anyone has first hand experience with this cooler, please share your comments regarding product quality, performance, longevity, etc.

Seconldy, what "real world" results - in terms of reduction in degrees - should I expect to achieve by adding a cooler?

thanks,

Frank

Frank,

Please check my very early posts on this subject.

Cheers,

Gerry

cmcfaul · cmcfaul's Garage

On my 73 E I am running stock lines to a Mocal cooler in the fender (smaller of the two choices). On the street I never see temps over 215. However on the track (DE) It will still go over 250 (almost 275) which is why I added it in the first place. This is with the headlight out mod.

I had to change a couple other oil lines to get everything connected properly.

good luck.

Chris
73 911 E
VA