Oil Cooler Upgrade

[Charles Freeborn]

When I ran my old girl hard a couple of weeks ago at a DE it became obvious I needed to upgrade the trombone cooler. Not having the coin to go with all factory parts I got the aftermarket rig from our host. While I was at it I made a stone guard, and a couple of intake screens that I popped into my front valence to get some air passing through it.









So far seems to be a major improvement. I'll know more when it's 90º on Monday @ the next DE.
-C

[stownsen914]

Looks like it should be a nice improvement. I know some guys with older 911s take out the passenger side headlight (assuming the cooler is still mounted in the passenger side fender well) and cut a small hole in the headlight bucket. It puts some more air on the cooler. Might be an option if you're still running hotter than desired with your new cooler setup. Ideally you want the temps 210 degrees F or less.

Scott

[911pcars]

It'll be slightly more efficient with just a screen in front of the cooler. The screen over the bumper opening introduces some airflow restriction.

Sherwood

[Charles Freeborn]

Originally Posted by 911pcars

It'll be slightly more efficient with just a screen in front of the cooler. The screen over the bumper opening introduces some airflow restriction.

Sherwood

True. This is a first draft. I'll probably go wider in the next version, and perhaps integrate a scoop of sorts.

Ran it for about 120 miles today - at least 90º outside temp. Gauge sat at 185 the whole ride.
-C

[hdrockerroller]

I added the scoup sold by our host that replaces one of the running lights and funnels air directly onto the cooler. Works great.

[Joe Bob]

How much $$ invested?

[Charles Freeborn]

Originally Posted by 911pcars

It'll be slightly more efficient with just a screen in front of the cooler. The screen over the bumper opening introduces some airflow restriction.

Sherwood

Originally Posted by Joe Bob

How much $$ invested?

Kit from here was $450 or so. Other parts didn't cost, but I've got access to metal fab equipment. To buy over the counter figure another $50 or so.

[Charles Freeborn]

Ran it hard at a DE yesterday. Air temps near 100º. Oil temp got as high as 220, so I'll be figuring out more airflow and a fan next.
I'll enlarge the valence vent, as I don't want to lose the side marker lights. More air to the brakes will be a good thing too.
-C

[na2ub]

I essentially did the same thing. Dont leave out a foam pad around the cooler. The air flows to the passage of least resistence. I also added a piece of sheet metal underneath between the valence duct and the bottom of the cooler to stop air entering the valence then skirting under the cooler rather than through it. A fan won't help at the track. I have found my track temp to stay just above middle guage and my stuck in traffic temp about middle guage without a fan.

[Sboxin]

Yes, the volume of air flow through the oil cooler is very important --
attached a few pics of fabricated ducts for 2 fender front oil coolers.
We started with fine mesh screen but found that 1/4" or larger helps
move more air. The rock guard on the back side is a stock Carrera part - -
but, we need to keep opening the louvers from the track rubber and rocks
closing them.
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Yes, this is a race car and we can do more without worrying too much about
cosmetics - - but we did want it to look good also. We just ran the car in 100 F
and the oil temp stayed below 220F - - Also, keep in mind we are cooling a 3.8L
race engine . . .

Regards

[Charles Freeborn]

That is an impressive cooler set up. I'll ponder adding more baffling and seals to channel the air through the cooler instead of around.
Thanks!
-C

[juanbenae]

you might consider moving the screen a little further away from the cooler surface.