Oil coolers... what are you using?
 

Before I attempt to re-invent the wheel... Just wondering what everyone is using for oil coolers for track use. Chances are many of us don't have data on what our oil temps are but we all know we need to keep the down! (I have guages and my water is about 200 and oil closer to 250) Has anyone done much with the oil coolers or is everyone using stock? I am sure a more effective cooler that would fit in the stock location exists but I can't seem to find any that the stock oil lines would attach to. I don't mind changing all the lines but I don't see a huge benifit in that just a lot of extra cost. To be honest I am not sure we could even save that many lbs either...

Interested in info you may be able to contribute!

Stephen

I am going through this at the moment with my MSM, and the route I'm planning on taking is a laminova flow oil to water heat exchanger. I am doing this as the water temps will have plenty of overhead and there is currently no oil cooling other than pan radiant and a tiny oil to water exchanger under the oil filter. I don't like a oil-to-air option because there is so little room and they all put the oil cooler at risk of damage during an off. I would agree that it's not a viable option on a rotary with coolant temps being so much more at risk, lower overhead, and greater severity of damage if the limit is exceeded.

I can only recall one person specifically that has tried another oil cooler, 9krpmrx8, and it was a single oil cooler. Thread here: https://www.rx8club.com/tech-garage-...cooler-185476/

Other than that, only a few passing references to people using RX-7 oil coolers here and there, but no data and no details.


I know this isn't really any positive information for you, but it might help to start narrowing the information a bit.

Q: oil coolers - what are you not using?

A: sarcastic response deleted

Stock here... I haven't got that far (time-wise and money-wise). That said, my water temps are typically in the 185F-190F with occasional 195F especially in the cooler months (i.e. ambient < 80F in TX).

I am currently only using stock, nothing modified at all (except some shrouds for air flow)

Stephen

Just the one cooler cuz i'm mad fu*kin JDM YO!!!!!!

so need to upgrade soon

I use the OE coolers with the rear shrouds opened up. Never had a problem, except a tad of added front lift when doing 100mph or more. That can be easily addressed anyway ;)

It was just a play on words, no negative intent was intended

Try using the search engine, there are discussions on the subject

With my RX-8 I've been using the stock oil coolers. My experience and opinion is that they're adequate for a stock motor in sprint racing. Don't know about endurance racing.

My highly modified and turbocharged RX-7 uses two large Setrab oil coolers, two small fans AND a water/oil heat exchanger. Works well but this is a motor that puts out more than twice the horsepower of a renesis. I have to say after trying various coolers I'd only go with the high qualify Setrab units - a lot of aftermarket coolers are pretty crappy and a DOWNGRADE over the stock coolers.