oil cooling system for 2.7 transplant

[MST0118]

Hey All - I've owned a few 911s over the years, but I'm getting my first 914 soon (1974 model) and would like to swap out the stock motor for a modified 2.7 engine which will be similar to an RS spec motor in terms of HP, so will probably will have about 200 to 220 HP. Not intended as a race car but may do some DE events in the future with it. I've seen quite a few threads on oil cooling but what I'm trying to do is keep the 914 look stock as much as possible without modifying the tub too much just in case I later decide to reconvert it back to stock by putting the engine back in. Checking to see if anyone has suggestions for installing an oil cooling system for a 2.7 type motor with minimal modifications to the tub to keep a stock type appearance. Any suggestions appreciated. Thanks.

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

The best cooling will be with a GT-style cooler up in the front trunk. This requires cutting holes for the oil lines, and holes for the air ducting. You do need a duct for the air, or it won't bother going through the cooler. And that loses much of the front trunk space.

I know that a number of people have put an external cooler on the engine lid. With or without a dedicated electric fan to pull air through it. I'm not wild about it, but it has worked.

I have put a cooler hanging down under the rear trunk floor on my four-cylinder car. Note that this is a lousy location for cooling, as there isn't great air flow and what you have has already been warmed up by the exhaust. But it is better than nothing, and only requires a few small mounting bracket holes in the car--if you are a bit creative with running the lines, at least.

--DD

[RSBob]

My 914-6 3.0 has oil cooler lines running up under the driver side rocker to a GT cooler in the nose. Holes were drilled in the nose of the car as many have done. The lower valence was slightly cut and bent down at the top to allow airflow to the holes. Also the fog light grills provide air flow to the holes with block off plates. As you can tell the car (silver) looks completely stock, on purpose but gets excellent air flow. (The orange is a GT clone)

[MST0118]

Thanks Dave and RSBob. Those ideas are very helpful.

[767driver]

Originally Posted by RSBob

My 914-6 3.0 has oil cooler lines running up under the driver side rocker to a GT cooler in the nose. Holes were drilled in the nose of the car as many have done. The lower valence was slightly cut and bent down at the top to allow airflow to the holes. Also the fog light grills provide air flow to the holes with block off plates. As you can tell the car (silver) looks completely stock, on purpose but gets excellent air flow. (The orange is a GT clone)

Can we get some closer pics of the front of the silver car?

[GregD]

I have an oil cooler in the right rear fender well. Seems to work well with the 2.7 I have. No issues in 12 years.....

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[767driver]

Originally Posted by GregD

I have an oil cooler in the right rear fender well. Seems to work well with the 2.7 I have. No issues in 12 years.....

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I would like to see that setup...any pics?

[GregD]

Originally Posted by 767driver

I would like to see that setup...any pics?

I can get some tonight.....

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[Dave at Pelican Parts]

Narrow-body or flared? There is some room under stock narrow fenders, but flares would make fitting stuff significantly easier...

--DD

[GregD]

Mine is a narrow body.... I forget which cooler I got. I'm sure it doesn't cool as well as one up front, but there is a air movement in the fender well..

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[MST0118]

GregD. That would be great if you can post pics at your convenience. Thanks.

[davehg]

I am in the same boat - building a 2.7 RS spec engine in a narrow body. I saw a setup from a local PNW 914world member, Ricky, who mounted his cooler in the frunk, ducted, but didn't do a cutout of the front bumper - they just rolled the top lower front valence a bit to create a gap between the lower bumper and the valence, about an inch or two, enough to let the air come through the holes in the front into the cooler and out the duct.

The lines were run through the top of the driver side wheel well and back to the 914-6 style oil tank. Unless you popped the hood, you wouldn't see any evidence of a cooler (and the shroud was much smaller than the usual larger shroud used in typical GT spec.

It looked clean and that's what I am going to pursue for my build.

[MST0118]

Thanks for making me aware of that and I'll check that out as another possible way to go.

[GregD]

Originally Posted by MST0118

GregD. That would be great if you can post pics at your convenience. Thanks.

I'm a little slow, but here are a few pics. When I get a chance I'll pull the wheel for some better ones.

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[Dave at Pelican Parts]

This appears to be an even worse area for air flow than under the trunk. However, there should be some air going around it, and the fin area will help radiate some heat. You also get the benefit of a higher oil capacity which means it will take longer for the oil to get too hot.

I don't think it's a particularly good solution, but neither is the one that I used--and it meets similar constraints for not changing the body very much. It would probably benefit from some shrouding and a fan, and possibly ducting air from a cooler location.

--DD

[stevesc_us]

[767driver]

Originally Posted by stevesc_us

Is this placement effective? That is right in the low pressure area that causes insufficient airflow through the engine compartment.

[stevesc_us]

I've had this set up on my car since the 3.2 motor transplant was done 15 years ago and have never had overheating problems since. It typically never gets above 210, but I do not track the car so not sure how it would do under more extreme driving conditions.