Afternoon guys

Just a quick question for someone in the know; Do I need an oil cooler?

Car is a 2001 Impreza P1 with 38k on the clock and running about 320bhp. The car is only used on the road, gets services every 6 months and runs 15W50 Mobil One Motorsport oil. Readings from the Defis are 105 degree peak oil temp, 3 bar pressure at idle and between 6.2 and 6.7 bar under load (with 7.5 bar peak with cold oil)

Would you say these figures are 'safe' cos like most P1 owners Im pretty paranoid!!!

Also the other day on the motorway the Defi oil pressure gauge 'danced' around for a few seconds between 6.2 bar and 6.7 bar then settled inbetween as normal. Is that anything to worry about or just a bit of a freak false reading?

Thanks in advance guys!

Stu

 

IMHO, I woudln't bother with a cooler unless you were looking into some major track work or more modifications.

Decent oil should be OK and best at between 95degs and 110, if you are only seeing peaks of 105, then I wouldnt consider it high (where have you measured the temps from?).

IMHO, fitting an oil cooler can be detrimental unless it is thermostatically controlled (as oil cooled TOO much doesn't provide enough protection, and breaks down quickly)

 

Cheers for the reply Tony. Was considering an oil cooler just as a safety measure, no mods or serious track days are planned. Id say average oil temp is about 95.

Oil temp is being measured above piston 3.

Thanks again

Stu

 

Others with greater knowledge may have their own views, but if that is the temps above no.3, I definitely would'nt bother with a cooler, as you are only just into the oil's operating temp at 95degs!

 

105 centigrade is acceptable oil temperature above #3.
Using 10w40 Motul or similar and you will see a temperature reduction.
Fitting an oil cooler on a daily driver is not necessarily a good thing and should be avoided if possible.

 

Average oil temp - Thats not where problems occur, under heavy driving, which we all do occasionally, the temps will rise. Being there seems to be a problem with oil distribution on the P1s i say Y not go for it??

My P1 big ends went on saturday, standard car 62k, not driven hard regulaly.

IMO get the oil cooler and a modified oil pump from GGR. Safety seems to make sense?

 

Hmmmm, still a little undecided.

What is optimum oil working temperature? Something like the Mobil One 15W50 Im using?

Cheers

Stu

 

Oil should be at around 95-110 degs, keeping it below/above these temps will cause hp loss, increased wear and degradation in oil.
Listen to Harvey, he knows his biscuits!

 

Soz, - an oil cooler with a thermostat. The new ones come with an oil cooler as standard dont they?

 

Nice one again guys!!!

I dont think Ill be investing in one just now. My main concern is that it will take an age for the oil to warm up which will cause more damage to my engine than my oil hitting 105 degrees.

Cheers

Stu

 

you already have a water cooled oil cooler fitted as standard anyway , unless you are going to be doing a lot of track work its not worth it
roy

 

Thanks again!!