3.6 conversion experts: Are dual Carrera coolers enough?

PcarPhil · 09-09-2009, 07:09 AM

I'm wondering if the 3.6 conversion experts can answer this question: Would dual Carrera coolers, one mounted in each front fender, with ducting and shrouding around each cooler, be enough to keep a basically stock 993 3.6L engine at good running temps?

The usage would be 90% spirited street use, some auto-x use, and at some point some DE events at VIR. Outdoor temps of 50-95 degrees F with similar humidity numbers.

Other pieces of the puzzle that may be worth mentioning are that the engine would be combined with a Steve Wong 93 octane chip, ducktail, and exposed cooler lines on the passenger side.

Thanks for the help!

PcarPhil · 09-09-2009, 07:19 AM

Here's a little more info...I really want to keep my wide S front bumper vs. going to a RSR bumper and nose mount cooler.

The ducting with dual Carrera coolers would probably turn out similar to this car:

My car:

Moses · 09-09-2009, 07:33 AM

I would think that would be just fine. If you get stuck in traffic on really hot days you might want to add a fan. In fact, I'll bet a single Carrera cooler with fan would be adequate under most conditions.

CBRacerX · CBRacerX's Garage

Yep, that should do the trick and Moses suggestion for a fan on the first one in the series would be a good idea.

ShakinJoe · 09-09-2009, 08:34 AM

Absolutely. I know many who use that exact set-up and do not want to use a center oil cooler for appearance reasons.

175K911 · 09-09-2009, 10:50 AM

Hey Scott-
Yes and maybe. Yes, you'll be fine for street use and autox. But you'll be borderline for track use, especially hot August days at VIR. You've heard me talk about my BIL's SC with the 300+hp vram 3.6 (warmed over with cams, rods, headers etc), well he runs dual coolers and has his headlight buckets looking like swiss cheese. Still runs close to 230-240 at the track, especially VIR where he's seen 250. Call me sometime and I can elaborate.

BTW, is my old car gone? I was relating the history with some old friends this past weekend at VIR, most of whom remember that car when I ran it at the track, and all of them told me I was a fool to not buy it back. Timing is everything I guess.

JP911 · JP911's Garage

I think Jack Olsen uses twin Carrera coolers on his early wide body car with a 3.6. Try doing a search for his name or 'Black Beauty'.

FWIW, I use twin Carrera coolers with my 3.5 and they work well (even in 100 deg heat), but it's hard to make a direct comparison since the motor is based on a 3.0 that still has an on-engine cooler.

Joe Bob · Joe Bob's Garage

Most of the time, the Carrera fender cooler and the Setrab up front are enough ......I need a fan, but don't do much grid lock traffic and I don't race much anymore.....

midnight911 · midnight911's Garage

I have 95 non-v 3.6 in a 84 chassis with stock cooler on pass side and mocal 44 rows on the driver side. I was freaking out with the temp gauge going high at the tracks at 95F or so. took the fog light out and did buffles and got an encouraging results. the temp is now under control. i don't have standing traffic in my neighborhood so don't know what it does in 100F in traffic.

Overheating? Oil line defect?

surflvr911sc · surflvr911sc's Garage

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showthread.php?t=121049

PcarPhil · 09-09-2009, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by surflvr911sc

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showthread.php?t=121049

How is this setup working out for you? Have you had the car on the track with this setup?

Thanks!

surflvr911sc · surflvr911sc's Garage

The 3.6 has been running strong w/ this setup for six years now; So. CA canyons, traffic, and the track and has performed flawlessly!

I did make a couple of scoops to replace the front parking lights, just so that I could maximize air flow at the track, and they do work good but I have never had overheat issues when I wasn't using them either. 235 max on the track when approaching triple digits ambient.

Jaskas · 01-09-2011, 06:23 AM

I think this is a good topic to ask:

What kind of coolers have you been using on drivers side? Setrab, Mocal or what?

Joe Bob · Joe Bob's Garage

Yes, but expensive.

I plumbed a MOCAL into the front, used conversion fittings and braided lines. Saved about $300.

Joeaksa · 08:37 AM

I have the stock 85 fender cooler on mine along with a Setrab cooler in the center of the car. Car has a RS front bumper with the inlet duct so has good air coming in but exit is limited by the setup.

Car takes a bit to come up to temp then once the oil hits about 200 degrees you can see the thermostat open as the needle drops immediately as the coolers kick in and it drops to 180 or so. Stays there most of the time and only gets back to 190 or so if I am stuck in traffic.

Did put an aux fan on the stock fender cooler but have yet to use/need it, but still its nice to have in case its needed.

rsrpedi · rsrpedi's Garage

hi scott, on the pic below you see a front bumper designed to fit over the oil cooler
964/993. this is my winterproject. my understanding is take a newer car and backdate. so you have all the modern technic and all the racing part out of the cup cars. we are going to produce a limited number (111) of kits in summer.
if i find a partner in the states i will sell there also.

best regards peter

Wilywilly · 01-09-2011, 12:32 PM

I'm running a single Carerra cooler with a manually controlled electric fan. No problems for spirted driving even on the hottest of days in and around Atlanta. Source of air is through fog light opening and horn grill. Amazing how quickly the fan brings and keeps the oil temp down. Switch it on and the needle starts dropping almost immediately.

clutch-monkey · 01-09-2011, 01:02 PM

i have a 3.6 in my track/rally 911 -albeit from a 964 - and never really had a problem on the track or spirited driving.
living in near tropical climate it did get a bit hot in heavy traffic.

si Banker · si Banker's Garage

I an sure you would be OK. I added a Mocal oil cooler in my left front fender well and a set of the Elephant finned oil lines with air scoops on both sides. I also enlarged the hole on the underside of the bumper. On a 105 degree day with the air on my oil temp is 190 degrees. If I get caught in traffic it will go up to about 230 but never higher and once I get moving it will cool down to 190 to 200.

Although these are not racing conditions I still think it would be ok.

Randy W · Randy W's Garage

Scott, I think you will be fine with that set up.

My '72 "ST" has a 315 hp 3.6L and will have dual ducts in an S spoiler like the first picture in this thread. Hoses will be routed to dual fender coolers which will be shrouded. The passenger side will have a manual push fan, and the headlight bucket on that side will be drilled.. Since my front pan has been modified, I will add a third cooler in the center without ducting. I tend to drive very hard, so this should keep the motor cool at CA track days.