takahashi

After the last two track day and reading post of the oil coolers I have a slight concern. I burn about 900-1100ml of engine oil after each track day which I only do 200-250km of track racing. It maybe normal but the oil get darker on the dipstick and I fear of a serious burn of oil.

So I reckon, would that be good to look at the oil temp and measure it.

Then I think - Defi has a system with MazdaSpeed. Then I found out, ok... it cost about $1800. WTF . Then I think - there should be some shop selling Defi BF meter or something similar to monitor Oil and Water temp!

Question: Where do I found Defi meters?

I am planning to put it on the smoker's box

8A8Y 8

hope this helps
http://forums.fastfours.com.au/viewtopic.php?t=81717

takahashi

Thanks
I notice that is the Link System, slightly uglier. But I emailed him to see how much the BF meter cost.

That is what it looks like

8A8Y 8

that the rmagic thing
are you going to get it in japan or you going to get someone local to make it up for you ?

takahashi

$300 for a case is not worth the money...

I am thinking cheaper alteratives.

8A8Y 8

cool let me know whene you do it
i wanna see what it look like

labrat

Although knowing your oil temperature might be interesting, it won't stop it from decomposing. However, if you are replacing around 1L each meet, then you are freshening your sump contents by a quarter each time. There could be an argument in going to a full synthetic oil of the type used for racing, if you're worried about it breaking down. Decomposition might not be just a function of high temperature, but also due to a much higher circulation rate due to the sustained revs and increased exposure to hot air and combustion gases.

A work colleague of mine used to race RX-7's in NZ. He told me he used to put oil in the petrol as well!

takahashi

Very true.. this is a comforting thought.

It is more of an observation and my justification of getting another oil cooler on the right hand side. Certainly it is well known in Japan, for the RX-8, that it is recommanded to add a 2nd oil cooler and change the radiator for sustain races like for 20 plus laps.

Monitor it will be good excercise to start - and it is an expensive one too

labrat

How much would a second oil cooler cost? It might be better just to put one of those things in anyway, if that's what they say in Japan about racing 8's.

RotaMotion

Yep, I had the same conversation with myself when I was looking into gauges. I second the WTF! Sheeesh...

rotarenvy

try ebay there is a guy who always is listing defi BF gauges.

takahashi

The oil cooler is about $850-900 shipped and $100-$150 installed.

You are right! We are talking not much difference in cost?! :D WTF I was talking the whole time then?! LOL

Why don't I thought of that?? :D

labrat

I guess being a technologist who runs a very small company, I have to think cheap! We always start out by saying "what do we want to achieve" and then think "how can we squeeze the dollar some more".

takahashi

What is it going to do with the oil cooler and oil temp meter?

RRS

taka.... honestly, and based on my rally experience, if you give the car a sustained hard time like at a track day, the 1st thing I'd do is come home, change the filter and oilevery time.

After say 80 km flat out in afternoon in the gemini of death, the oil has well and truely started to go off, judging by the colour. After a long stage I have effectively zero oil pressure at idle( but plenty of flow, but I don't let it idle.. i sit it at about 2500 rpm) , cos the oil has been heated and thinned so much.Once it cools down it's better again, but then we repeat the abuse 7 or 8 times that day! It happens with all oils, even semi synth, and synthetics, and it's not just confined to olde worlde cars like the gem. Friends running rotaries tend to run premix in the fuel (mostly cos the oil metering pump is disabled), but for extra insurance as well.

Your best bet if you really want to know whats happening to your oil is to find a lab. that specialises in oil analysis, and get them to run some tests like particle sizing( to see if you've got significant wear going on), viscosity hot and cold, etc and compare the properties to that of the same oil straight out of the container. I'm sure there are places that do that kind of work for a price, and it'll tell you a lot more than spending 1000 bucks on a temperature gauge ever would.

Rowds

takahashi

Nice... very good - thank you.

I never see this in a scientific sort of way. Thanks RRS!

8A8Y 8

taka have you got your guages yet???
if so how much you get it for ? and where you end up buying it?

takahashi

No I decided not to as parts + labour will be about $1200. With the R Magic "2 gauges in the smoker box" case - it will be $400 more.

Forget it :D

I prob pop in an extra oil cooler and Hymee grill protected when I have time - and more importantly money