DIY: Improve OIL Cooler Air Flow Up to 10-15%
07-23-2009, 04:40 PM
#51
Sydney, Australia
07-24-2009, 12:58 AM
#52
go over to https://www.fluidmotorsports.com/ and check under RX-8 and then under Radiators and Cooling - there be Fans!
link for fans..
beers
09-02-2009, 01:21 AM
#53
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Thread Starter
DIY: Oil Cooler Air Flow Modification No.2
6 months ago I changed my Oil Cooler Inner Fender Vents by making holes Larger (see thread).
https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=168650
However, still not happy with the restriction of Air Flow I did this to vastly Improve Air Flow through my Oil Coolers.
I bought another new set of OEM Black Plastic Fender Vents to keep and use only for Winter, so my car is back to stock at the moment...(it is Winter here going into Spring).
With the Original (modified) set I removed ALL the Plastic Molded Step Ribs which left me with a very large hole matching the actual size of the Oil Coolers mounted in the front of car.
I locally purchased some Aluminum Screen mesh for $3.00, and cut 2 pieces to lap over the hole on the inside of the liner, I then slightly bent the mesh so it was in the same "curved" form or shape to the original.
It is important you fixed the mesh so the "Diamond Pattern" is VERTICAL, it is too hard to bend if Horizontal.
Using 10 Pot Rivets and 10 small washers for each side I fixed the mesh to the plastic liners very firmly, the end result can be seen.
So, will it work, IMO it has to be far better than original.
Once Summer arrives I will swap over to my new mesh liners, when temps reach about 77F or 25c.
Very easy to remove the 9 Black quick clips and 3 screws, each side.
I won't be using these during Winter because of road water and too much cold air.
Sorry, I cant give you Test results yet, but stay tuned.
IMO this is the best outcome to lower oil and help engine temps for Summer.
Having said that Oil Cooler Fans would be ideal for long periods in traffic or when stopped.
I will see how this goes, but it will throw far more hot air out than any fan, provided you are moving.
The cost..
$112.00 for the two new liners, $3 for the mesh, Rivets and Washer I had in stock.
Swoope (Scott) this one is for you...mate...
https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=168650
However, still not happy with the restriction of Air Flow I did this to vastly Improve Air Flow through my Oil Coolers.
I bought another new set of OEM Black Plastic Fender Vents to keep and use only for Winter, so my car is back to stock at the moment...(it is Winter here going into Spring).
With the Original (modified) set I removed ALL the Plastic Molded Step Ribs which left me with a very large hole matching the actual size of the Oil Coolers mounted in the front of car.
I locally purchased some Aluminum Screen mesh for $3.00, and cut 2 pieces to lap over the hole on the inside of the liner, I then slightly bent the mesh so it was in the same "curved" form or shape to the original.
It is important you fixed the mesh so the "Diamond Pattern" is VERTICAL, it is too hard to bend if Horizontal.
Using 10 Pot Rivets and 10 small washers for each side I fixed the mesh to the plastic liners very firmly, the end result can be seen.
So, will it work, IMO it has to be far better than original.
Once Summer arrives I will swap over to my new mesh liners, when temps reach about 77F or 25c.
Very easy to remove the 9 Black quick clips and 3 screws, each side.
I won't be using these during Winter because of road water and too much cold air.
Sorry, I cant give you Test results yet, but stay tuned.
IMO this is the best outcome to lower oil and help engine temps for Summer.
Having said that Oil Cooler Fans would be ideal for long periods in traffic or when stopped.
I will see how this goes, but it will throw far more hot air out than any fan, provided you are moving.
The cost..
$112.00 for the two new liners, $3 for the mesh, Rivets and Washer I had in stock.
Swoope (Scott) this one is for you...mate...
Last edited by ASH8; 11-10-2009 at 02:15 AM.
09-02-2009, 01:28 AM
#54
Super Moderator
Thread Starter
Forgot to add..
You can position the Vertical Diamond Mesh, so the "Curved" side of the Diamond is shooting hot air flow out towards the wheel opening and not towards the engine bay....another plus..
See 5th pic..
You can position the Vertical Diamond Mesh, so the "Curved" side of the Diamond is shooting hot air flow out towards the wheel opening and not towards the engine bay....another plus..
See 5th pic..
09-19-2009, 09:08 PM
#60
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Yo ASH8 I got some info coming for for ya.
I took off my right side liner. My left one is still on. I parked my car and will hit the oil coolers with a infrared gun thermometer to see what the numbers are. Care to take a guess at the different heat numbers?
I took off my right side liner. My left one is still on. I parked my car and will hit the oil coolers with a infrared gun thermometer to see what the numbers are. Care to take a guess at the different heat numbers?
fluid ftw!
09-21-2009, 03:11 PM
#63
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check with Paul @ Mazmart or www.onlinemazdaparts.com
09-21-2009, 03:11 PM
#64
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Ash: nicely done mate! Paint those guys black and you'll be all set.
just make sure to keep those clean so they don't clog up
just make sure to keep those clean so they don't clog up
09-21-2009, 05:28 PM
#65
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Considering they are only for Summer and I will be replacing them with the OEM's for Winter, any "debris" and I consider there will be little would clearly seen when I swap them over after 7-8 months.
It would go a long way before it came close to the restrictive air flow of Originals.
Thanks Jedi
It would go a long way before it came close to the restrictive air flow of Originals.
Thanks Jedi
10-18-2009, 03:18 PM
#66
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10-18-2009, 10:01 PM
#67
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Numbers would be good to see however, all that screen mesh seems to add up to covering at least 60% of the total area. Imagine pushing all the screens strips together so it forms a solid piece. How much is left for an opening then? I suspect the numbers will be similar or worse with the diamond style screens.
10-18-2009, 10:09 PM
#68
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I'd be more interested in air turbulence. I don't know if it affects airflow, since it's after the coolers, but meshes are more destructive to airflow than open ducts.
On the note of area, the stock slits are TINY. I'll try to take a measurement when I can get time off to work on them.
On the note of area, the stock slits are TINY. I'll try to take a measurement when I can get time off to work on them.
10-19-2009, 01:01 AM
#69
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Thread Starter
Numbers would be good to see however, all that screen mesh seems to add up to covering at least 60% of the total area. Imagine pushing all the screens strips together so it forms a solid piece. How much is left for an opening then? I suspect the numbers will be similar or worse with the diamond style screens.
Imagine pushing all the screens strips together so it forms a solid piece.
Anything has to be better than the OEM for Hot Summer Weather..
10-19-2009, 01:15 AM
#70
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I'd be more interested in air turbulence. I don't know if it affects airflow, since it's after the coolers, but meshes are more destructive to airflow than open ducts.
On the note of area, the stock slits are TINY. I'll try to take a measurement when I can get time off to work on them.
On the note of area, the stock slits are TINY. I'll try to take a measurement when I can get time off to work on them.
"destructive to airflow", possibly if mesh is placed on top (ON) coolers themselves..like at the front, at the rear they are 3 inches (gap) away from coolers.
The openings I cut are larger than the original OEM slits, more to the size of the actual cooler, so yes ideally no liner or covering would be the best, but as I said what will protect coolers.
This is the best and only compromise.
When the single cooler (FC RX-7 and earlier rotaries) was under the radiator there were no restrictions for exit air and engine fan assisted, BUT, the coolers were smaller.
Hope to have some temp numbers soon, weather has been very cool here so these are still not on.
10-19-2009, 01:32 AM
#71
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10-19-2009, 01:46 AM
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10-19-2009, 01:50 AM
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10-19-2009, 01:56 AM
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Got ya!
10-19-2009, 08:04 AM
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Thanks for the info Ash. I am planning on doing your original modification (cutting the slits wider), especially because I have difficulty finding good wire mesh around me.