Fitting oil cooler under bonnet scoop, could it be dangerous?
 

Am thinking of mounting an oil cooler in the position where my TMIC used to be, now what I'm thinking is would a stone possibly be able to penetrate the cooler if it entered the scoop at high speed. (:norty: )

I understand that a full chat an engine can throw quick a lot of oil out of quite a small hole in a very short space of time.

can always be hit by a stone in any position as it has to be open to the air if your that worried put some mesh over the scope hole

I suppose mesh would do the trick.

it would slow it down and be extra safe. but to be honest if a stone goes in the scoop it'l hit back of the scoop first taking all power out of it. not seen an intercooler with any holes from a stone more bent fins from the dead fly's :lol1:

I've never heard of anyone getting their TMIC holed and leaking, so I can't see an increased risk for an oil cooler.
In that position, there is more risk of the cooler being shaken and having pipework loosen or pipe welds snapping. A well designed support bracket and selection of good quality hoses and fittings are essential.
I seem to remember that a version of the blue Zen car had an oil cooler in this spot once - I'll dig around for a picture.

Nick

Great thanks, I wasnt sure if intercoolers would be tougher than oil coolers.

If you could find a pic that would be great :thumb:

nooooooooooo
 

Dont do it its to high and far for your oil to travell this is what iv'e just been told any way :)

It would be very close to the hot turbo....... if any of the hoses developed a split your car could go up in flames quite easily.

Where do ppl normally mount them?

I have seen a few mounted behind the nearside fog light, which is my alternative.

remove the aircon rad and sort a bracket there behind the intercooler...which means short piping and a good amount of airflow

oil cooler by definition of the name i would imagine it would struggle to keep the temp down to the 80/90 degree mark in that position, as the under bonnet temps in that area are proberbly at thier highest anywhere under the bonnet! and as apposed to cooling the oil i would suggest it may contribute significantly to a rise in temp especially at a stand still after being driven hard as happens with intercoolers in that position! i presume the reason your going for an oil cooler is to do with prolonged high speed ie track days and motorway driving. you would also want it to be thermostatickley controlled. which would also negate the top mount position as the engine/ stroke oil temp would be around the 100 degree mark at the point of activation of the oil cooler, at which point refering to my earlier point it would struggle to produce any significant temp loss unless you were going like a bat out of hell!
as well there is the problem of oil blowback caused by the height of the cooler and the (Possibility) of the oil that is being pumped up falling back down the up pipe causing circulation problems and we all know what that means ££££££££s so in short that would be a :nono: then:lol1:

It has been done, TSL do a kit

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...m_DSCF2703.jpg

I'm thinking of locating mine there too

Now that looks interesting, as with a "kit" im assuming all brackets can be supplied ready to fit.

Yep but is v. expensive that way!

always is, do you know how much?

I agree with ditchmaster, defo become heat soaked in that postion, altho have to admit does look nice and neat...but its the practicality of it tho is what matters

£402 +vat

TSL MOTORSPORT | Subaru Saab Mitsubishi | parts | repair | servicing | performance tuning | UK

blimey, still something to think about though. :thumb:

mine's here,
Attachment 61880
works well

I personally wouldn't do it for the reasons already mentioned, but mainly the heatsoak issue. IMHO 0il more so than air reaches a critical temp, ie once at 100c+ takes a lot more cooling, which may be beyond the cooler in that position..:wonder:

I know once my oil temps approach 100c (the most I've ever seen) it takes a decent steady cruise to make any difference. If I'm in traffic or <30 mph it stays more or the same. Having a cooler on top of the engine, in this situation, can only make this worse..!:(

The other thing that I'd be concerned about is the effort of pumping the oil so high/length of pipework adding to the parasitic losses of the engine (ie less power available to actually drive the car, something like driving with AC on).

Why don't you fancy the usual position, which has to be a better all round location..?

Do all the kits on the market (ie SC etc) use a sandwich plate adaptor to feed the cooler, or can they be plumbed in 'properly' spec c style..?

If I'm being totally honest I really like the way they looked there, but if its going to cause more problems than cure I may have a rethink.

lol, it's a thing we all have to keep in check when owning a scoob, form over function..:lol1:

I take it you've been seeing some persistent high oil temps (ie >110-115c)..?

Havent been monitering yet, cars only just back on the road and wish to get it track ready for the end of the year. So just thinking ahead.

Just thought I would let you all know.

My car has an oil cooler mounted to the underside of the scope (Infact it is mounted to the bonnet) and there is not a single issue with heat soak at all, so do not even consider not putting it there due to heat soak as it is not an issue


I have a defi gauge checking the temp and the temperature never raises due to heat soak issues when not moving.

You can see the pics in my for sale ad.

Lee

hi mark
first the steering wheel
now the oil cooler
why dont you just make me an offer for mine;)
Attachment 61881
budgie:thumb:

That was it I couldnt think of where I has seen it before.

OK ill give you mine and a tenner. :thumb:

Is any type of oil cooler ok?

I could get my hands on 1 or 2 RX8 oil coolers & pipework, as i work for Mazda
All id need to do is plumb them into my oil filter sandwich plate and make some brackets.

I could mount 1 behind each fog light.

I have exactly the same unit to be fitted to mine.

All this bollox about heat soak is laughable too. :lol1:

The intercooler works perfectly fine there, why wont an oil cooler?

Air from my sti topmount used to exit the cooler at between 25 and 30 degrees c.

How is that going to add heat to oil that is already 90 degrees c?:wonder: :wonder:

An oil cooler will be fine above the engine and with the pipe runs on the hyperflow shown theyre much safe than other units that pass by the headers. Ive seen a oil cooler hose get melted and bust due to heat from wrapped headers too.

The hyperflow hoses run directly up the front of the engine away from the headers.

Here's the picture of the Zen car with an oil cooler. I can't tell if its a transmission or engine oil cooler, but nayway- some food for thought.
Attachment 61882

Nick