Radiator's trans cooler for race car's engine oil?

klr142 · 10-13-2020, 01:00 PM

On the General Leif Erland Cox is recommending we run an oil cooler, such as the 940 turbo oil/water cooler setup. We don't have a lot of room but it might be possible, the only issue is we already run an Accusump and have the oil filter relocated on the car. We just put a new 240/740 radiator in the car and I was looking at the transmission cooler fittings sitting there doing nothing and it got me thinking.

Has anyone plumbed engine oil to those fittings before? The diameter of those fittings is smaller than the other plumbing we use, so I wonder if that's going to be an issue. Obviously it's not designed for engine oil, but I am curious if it could work.

culberro · 10-13-2020, 01:18 PM

I'm not sure what the internal geometry of that particular cooler is, but my shop mate was running an air to air trans cooler for engine oil cooling on his VW diesel. It created a 50psi pressure drop across the cooler at lower revs. So I'd recommend not going down to 3/8" hose for your engine oil

Bar and plate oil coolers are pretty cheap these days.

VB242 · 10-13-2020, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by culberro

I'm not sure what the internal geometry of that particular cooler is, but my shop mate was running an air to air trans cooler for engine oil cooling on his VW diesel. It created a 50psi pressure drop across the cooler at lower revs. So I'd recommend not going down to 3/8" hose for your engine oil

Bar and plate oil coolers are pretty cheap these days.

Pretty sure the transmission lines are 5/16:8mm , I tried to use it for a power steering cooler,. I can't remember why but I ended up with a stand alone PS cooler,

klr142 · 10-13-2020, 01:39 PM

Thanks guys!

cosbySweater · 10-13-2020, 03:15 PM

Trans oil cooler pressure is much lower then engine oil cooler pressure as well. That's something to also consider

rb92673 · 10-13-2020, 05:30 PM

Why not use a RX7 oil cooler? Lots of Lemons racers use them.

283SD · 10-13-2020, 05:45 PM

You will not get enough oil flow, 5/16" line, in the trans cooler. I run-10 lines on the V8 Wagon/remote filter, -8 on the MG'S also remote filters, and you will heat the coolant. I have a stand alone 15 row cooler on the V8 Wagon,11row on my MG Midget,11row on my MGB.

122power · 10-13-2020, 05:49 PM

Hit the yard up in the ford vans or f250 trucks. They have good oil coolers and -10 size.

blkaplan · 10-13-2020, 05:54 PM

factory 240 turbo oil coolers are pretty nice units.

cosbySweater · 10-13-2020, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rb92673

Why not use a RX7 oil cooler? Lots of Lemons racers use them.

I have used those and both models when I used them had a massive pressure drop across them

Marvelous3 · 10-14-2020, 04:21 PM

Had a rx7 oil cooler with thermostatic sandwich plate for oil cooler and a doral air to air trans cooler. The fittings are -5an on the trans I think. I had a thread on the bookmarked and it’s mentioned in my build thread. 10an hose for the oil cooler and 6an hose for the trans.

I always had good oil pressure. 25-30psi at idle and 40+ while driving.

10-13-2020, 01:00 PM	#1
klr142 Turbo, what? Join Date: May 2004 Location: OR	Radiator's trans cooler for race car's engine oil? On the General Leif Erland Cox is recommending we run an oil cooler, such as the 940 turbo oil/water cooler setup. We don't have a lot of room but it might be possible, the only issue is we already run an Accusump and have the oil filter relocated on the car. We just put a new 240/740 radiator in the car and I was looking at the transmission cooler fittings sitting there doing nothing and it got me thinking. Has anyone plumbed engine oil to those fittings before? The diameter of those fittings is smaller than the other plumbing we use, so I wonder if that's going to be an issue. Obviously it's not designed for engine oil, but I am curious if it could work. __________________ Kyle - NLMGG: '91 244 NA DD/Track - General Leif: '71 142 Endurance Racecar - The General's FB page - Oregon Volvo Tuners - Died - 2014 S60 T5 - 2006 Elantra DD

10-13-2020, 01:18 PM	#2
culberro Ronald Culberbone III Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Portland, OR	I'm not sure what the internal geometry of that particular cooler is, but my shop mate was running an air to air trans cooler for engine oil cooling on his VW diesel. It created a 50psi pressure drop across the cooler at lower revs. So I'd recommend not going down to 3/8" hose for your engine oil Bar and plate oil coolers are pretty cheap these days. __________________ Cult Person. Pissing in your Kool-Aid.

10-14-2020, 04:21 PM	#11
Marvelous3 Who engineered this? Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Atlanta	Had a rx7 oil cooler with thermostatic sandwich plate for oil cooler and a doral air to air trans cooler. The fittings are -5an on the trans I think. I had a thread on the bookmarked and it’s mentioned in my build thread. 10an hose for the oil cooler and 6an hose for the trans. I always had good oil pressure. 25-30psi at idle and 40+ while driving. __________________ 1990 240dl Kaplhenke Coilover Daily 1991 245+16 Valve Turbo Microsquirt Need Hyundai or Genesis parts? PM me for Genuine Hyundai or Genesis parts

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10-13-2020, 01:39 PM	#4
klr142 Turbo, what? Join Date: May 2004 Location: OR	Thanks guys!

10-13-2020, 05:30 PM	#6
rb92673 Board Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: San Clemente	Why not use a RX7 oil cooler? Lots of Lemons racers use them.

10-13-2020, 05:45 PM	#7
283SD Board Member Join Date: Mar 2008	You will not get enough oil flow, 5/16" line, in the trans cooler. I run-10 lines on the V8 Wagon/remote filter, -8 on the MG'S also remote filters, and you will heat the coolant. I have a stand alone 15 row cooler on the V8 Wagon,11row on my MG Midget,11row on my MGB.