Help me maximize from the oil cooler in my '87 Carrera 3.4L

[polizei]

Guys - The build is just about done on my '87 Carrera. Displacement and compression are being increased, and I'd like to make the most of thestock oil cooling setup. I have a stock oil cooler in the front passenger wheel well, and I have an Oil Cooler Air Scoop (Pelican Parts.com - Oil Cooler Air Scoop) that I'll be installing in the passenger-side turn signal housing. I'm looking to make the most of what I have "on a budget". My plan is to drive the car, monitor the oil & cylinder head temps and make further modifications IF needed.

I've already purchased the Oil Cooler Air Scoop, and I want to continue running my fog lights.

Can anyone recommend how to make the most of my setup for now? For example, would it be beneficial to remove the short horn entirely to achieve more flow?

Thanks for your help guys!

[Bill Verburg]

Originally Posted by polizei

Guys - The build is just about done on my '87 Carrera. Displacement and compression are being increased, and I'd like to make the most of thestock oil cooling setup. I have a stock oil cooler in the front passenger wheel well, and I have an Oil Cooler Air Scoop (Pelican Parts.com - Oil Cooler Air Scoop) that I'll be installing in the passenger-side turn signal housing. I'm looking to make the most of what I have "on a budget". My plan is to drive the car, monitor the oil & cylinder head temps and make further modifications IF needed.

I've already purchased the Oil Cooler Air Scoop, and I want to continue running my fog lights.

Can anyone recommend how to make the most of my setup for now? For example, would it be beneficial to remove the short horn entirely to achieve more flow?

Thanks for your help guys!

when I was trying to max the oil cooling on my C3 I replaced both of the trumpet horns w/ puck type, can't say that there was a measurable difference but it couldn't hurt.

Do make sure that the seals around the edges are solid, you want air going through the cooler not around it.

Some have replaced the sock fan w/ one that kicks in at a lower temp.

[polizei]

Thanks Bill. Do you have a picture of how the puck-sized horns are mounted? Are are you referring tot he seal around the cooler itself?

[Bill Verburg]

Originally Posted by polizei

Thanks Bill. Do you have a picture of how the puck-sized horns are mounted? Are are you referring tot he seal around the cooler itself?

Not any good ones, they mounted in the same place up high so there wasn't any obstruction to the air flow to to the cooler

[Joe Bob]

These are not bad. Hella's...available on eBay and I would assume Pelican. Model name is Supertone.

As to maximizing cooling.....fans impede cooling but are a must for stop and go driving.

Thermostats control operating temps and coolers keep it there. So make sure both t-stats are opening at 180-190F.

Spirited driving elevates temps while sufficient cooler area keeps it at operating temps. When you don't have enough cooling capacity temps will rise.

So....in my experience when I went from a slightly hot rodded 3.0 to a 3.6, I noticed a linear increase in oil temps at freeway speeds. A bypass and an additional cooler in the nose was the answer.

[midnight911]

buffle up the air passage so you are not wasting air mass flowing through the cooler.
cutting out buffles from collgated plastic panels, rubbermaid dust bins work great.

[Chuck.H]

>>My plan is to drive the car, monitor the oil & cylinder head temps and make further modifications IF needed.

Mine doesn't get hot driving, it gets hot sitting in traffic after some bone-head spun on the highway or construction that's moving at a snails pace: "CAUTION ROAD WORK - NEXT 10 YEARS".

+1 on the cooler mods, just suggesting another way to test.

Chuck.H
'89 TurboLookTarga, 336k miles

[boyt911sc]

Andy,

I removed the OEM horns and relocate them. Then decided to remove the factory oil cooler blower to maximize the flow of air thru the radiator. Since I didn't drive the car in the city or traffic, it was simple decision to make. I even cut a slot opening at the underside of the bumper to increase incoming air flow. Now if you want to keep the OEM cooler fan, change the thermostat switch to a much lower temperature. I picked a 180°F (BMW part) from Pelican.

Tony

[polizei]

Guys - Thank you for input. I'm going to give the BMW thermostat a try in order to deal with the stand-still situations.

Would there be any harm in removing the short horn altogether in order to achieve better air flow? Would there be any impact other than my horn sounding odd?

[midnight911]

my horns are long gone for perceived air flow improvement.
I live in rural PacNW and had never had a need for horns.
I'd say just take both out...

[ShakinJoe]

Get a SHOP VAC wide mount fitting and mount under valence. A lot of air in a thin profile for around 5 bucks. I like the Craftsman version the best.