Oil cooler sizing?

[Moy]

I've searched through various threads and read the stickies in the SME section regarding lubrication, but have not been able to find the answer to my question.

How does one go about sizing an oil cooler to fit his or her engine's needs?

This is in regards to height, length, width, and number of rows (and what that means).

Thank you folks.

 

[jdub]

As big as you can fit - the T-stat will handle flow through the cooler for proper temps. I prefer the stacked plate design...more efficient for the size, better flow, and less susceptible to FOD.

 

[Moy]

Okay. Currently I'm looking at the Setrab 925, core dimensions being 14.5 long x 7.5 tall x 2 wide, 25 row. Will this be sufficient?

I understand that with coolers that bigger is better, but unfortunately the larger sizes are cost prohibitive.

 

[jdub]

The larger cooler are space prohibitive (installing wise) as well. Setrab is a good cooler - take a look at B&M. The size you posted should work.

 

[TurboStreetCar]

How do you feel about this cooler JDub?

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/BMM-70266/

I'm running two, one for oil, and one for transmission. Fit nicely together in front of the radiator.

 

[kneedragger85]

How do you feel about this cooler JDub?

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/BMM-70266/

I'm running two, one for oil, and one for transmission. Fit nicely together in front of the radiator.

That's the same one i'm running for my full flow. I ended up mounting it between my huge intercooler and radiator. It holds just shy of 1 quart of oil.

 

[TurboStreetCar]

So i guess 7 quarts is included in a oil and filter change? 5 quarts for spec, the common extra quart for good measure and another quart for the cooler and lines?

 

[Cz.]

If you go to Setrab's site they have a sheet that shows the approximate cooling capabilities based on cooler size. I'm sure the other manufacturers have something similar.

 

[Moy]

I saw that. For my power goals, I'd need a 600 dollar cooler. According to Setrab, anyways...

 

[mk3sons]

is a 19 row 9.5"x8.25"x2" core to small for an almost stock full flow cooler?

 

[jdub]

How do you feel about this cooler JDub?

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/BMM-70266/

I'm running two, one for oil, and one for transmission. Fit nicely together in front of the radiator.

That should work nicely for most applications
For extended track use, you may have to dedicate both coolers (hooked up in parallel) to the oil. If you have them stacked in the airflow, the oil cooler should be in the front.

To check for a specific oil fill quantity, fill till the oil is at the top mark on the dip stick and run the motor to fill the cooler/purge the lines. Check and fill to the top mark again and run - recheck to top mark. Add an additional quart. Keep in mind the initial fill will likely be greater than an oil change later due to oil left in the cooler/remote filter lines.

is a 19 row 9.5"x8.25"x2" core to small for an almost stock full flow cooler?

Should be adequate, but I would go larger if possible.

 

[TurboStreetCar]

Exellent. There actually next to each other in frot of the radiator. I don't do much track time so they should be fine for my use. When ever I'm pushing my car I allow pleanty of cooldown time after each pass/run.

Just need to figure out a good dipstick solution.

 

[freemoneey]

That should work nicely for most applications
For extended track use, you may have to dedicate both coolers (hooked up in parallel) to the oil. If you have them stacked in the airflow, the oil cooler should be in the front.

jDub,

Sorry to ask this question and hope that this does not mean hijacking the thread as this is dicussed.

When you say run the both coolers in parallel order, do you mean like this: ?

Eng Block -> IN of first cooler -> OUT of first cooler -> IN of second cooler -> OUT of second cooler -> Eng Block

I know that I did not include the oil filter and the bypass as this is assumed, I am wondering in the oil cooler arrangement order.

 

[jdub]

What you described is hooking them up in a series. Parallel would go like this:
Eng block oil feed ---> T fitting between coolers ---> IN on both coolers ---> OUT on both coolers ---> 2nd T fitting ---> Eng block

Essentially you are treating the cooler pair as a single cooler. A T-stat would need to be between the block and both T fittings.

 

[freemoneey]

What you described is hooking them up in a series. Parallel would go like this:
Eng block oil feed ---> T fitting between coolers ---> IN on both coolers ---> OUT on both coolers ---> 2nd T fitting ---> Eng block

Essentially you are treating the cooler pair as a single cooler. A T-stat would need to be between the block and both T fittings.

jDub,

Thanks for the clarification.

is this method efficent compared to a single cooler that (size would be comparable to 2 coolers)? Any down sides other than the complication of the extra length of hose?

I am curious as I am running the series setup with the stock oil cooler and a little bigger oil cooler with the stock system in place. (rebuilding the 7m right now, so technically the car is not running:icon_bigg).

I am shooping around for the parts for the oil cooling system and I have the oil filter relocation kit only and I am acquiring as much info as possible as well on the Supra.

 

[jdub]

It is more efficient - You have ops temp oil feeding both coolers allowing the greatest thermal transfer for a given OAT. In series, the 1st cooler will max out feeding lower temp oil to the 2nd cooler - the temp delta between the cooler and OAT will be much less. In parallel, you have a cooler that is effectively twice the size increasing the temp delta to OAT. The downside is the extra length of hose and the T-fitting - it increases resistance to flow. IMO, (and if you need it) the benefit exceeds the downside. Like I said earlier, this dual cooler set-up is really only needed for extended high throttle ops like autocross.

 

[Zumtizzle]

Check Out Longs. It's the canadian knock off of B&M.

 

[jdub]

Check Out Longs. It's the canadian knock off of B&M.

Sure is - that's exactly what I'm using