DLO01
28-04-2007, 12:08 PM
Hello fellow Ozhonda'rer's,
The Test:
I wanted to put a study together to discuss the issues in regard to Oil Coolers and specifically having one with a thermostat or not. I wanted to find out how this would effect oil temperatures comparing both methods under normal street driving conditions.
This study was put together after discussions in this thread:
http://www.ozhonda.com/forum/showthread.php?t=65555
The test was performed on my Naturally Aspirated 99 Integra Type R, Engine B18C7, under Australian weather conditions 23 degrees celcius. Using the same 10 row trust cooler for both tests.
1st for people that don't know. A thermostat is designed in to a oil cooler system for the same reasons as in your water system - to warm up your oil from initial cold start up to operating temperatures. When cold, the thermostat is closed and oil bypasses the cooler element (does not go through cooler element). Once the desired temperature is acheived the thermostat opens and diverts oil through the cooler element and comences cooling.
These are the issues I wanted to have more of an understanding for.
- What are the differences to oil Temps using the two methods?
- Are Temps maintained consistant without a thermostat?
There will be no discussion about if a cooler is reqiured for what car etc, etc. This is just a study on the above issues.
Findings:
With thermostat:
This is my Grex sandwich plate (with thermostat) on my old setup. It was a 2 hose arangement plumbed directly to the Trust 10 row cooler. My temperature sensor was plumbed into the sump.
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a265/DLO01/Misc/ResizeofDSC00776.jpg
Result:
With this above setup, under normal diving conditions, on the street, I constantly maintained 80-85 degrees celcius.
__________________________________________________ ______________
Without thermostat:
This is my sexy new setup (thanks Ed (Max-Hondapower) best trader. This is a 3 hose, remote oil filter arangement, using the same Trust 10 row cooler. My temperature sensor is plumbed in to the remote filter mount. Oil flow direction is a folows: Engine to Oil filter to Cooler to engine.
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a265/DLO01/Misc/ResizeofIMG_9148.jpg
Result:
With this above setup, under normal diving conditions, on the street, I constantly maintained no less than 80 degress celcius and reached a high of 82.5 degrees celcius.
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a265/DLO01/Misc/ResizeofDSC00772.jpg
I found, "the higher end of the Temps were during driving, 82.5 degrees". This is because the engine is 'working' and under load, the oil cooler although is cooling with airflow, is not 'efficent' enough to actually drop the temperature. Its safe to say then, the oil cooler does not cool, but just 'assists in cooling oil'
In turn, "the cooler end of the Temps I found, were at a stand still, 80 degrees". This is because the engine is at Idel and 'not working' not under load. The stock water/oil heat exchanger comes in to play and cools the oil temps more effectivly then if the motor was under load.
Conclusion:
As we can see, the oil temperature 'with' or 'without' a thermostat at normal opperating temperatures is very simular. A 'no thermostat setup' maintains just as much consistency as one that does have a thermostat.
So why have a thermostat?
It is very usefull to getting that oil warm and up to opperating temperature swiftly during cold startup. The thermostat will be closed and will not let the oil pass through the cooler and will alow your oil to warm up.
If you don't have a thermostat?
Like my new setup? Well, it just puts that bit more emphasis on warming your car up before you actually start driving. :(
To finish off. Weather you need a cooler or not, thermostat or not, 20 row, 10 row, its up to you to design your components to suit your cars needs and applications.
The responsibility comes down to you. :thumbsup:
Hope this is as much fun reading these findings as it was for me to put it all together.
Chow for now! :cool:
The Test:
I wanted to put a study together to discuss the issues in regard to Oil Coolers and specifically having one with a thermostat or not. I wanted to find out how this would effect oil temperatures comparing both methods under normal street driving conditions.
This study was put together after discussions in this thread:
http://www.ozhonda.com/forum/showthread.php?t=65555
The test was performed on my Naturally Aspirated 99 Integra Type R, Engine B18C7, under Australian weather conditions 23 degrees celcius. Using the same 10 row trust cooler for both tests.
1st for people that don't know. A thermostat is designed in to a oil cooler system for the same reasons as in your water system - to warm up your oil from initial cold start up to operating temperatures. When cold, the thermostat is closed and oil bypasses the cooler element (does not go through cooler element). Once the desired temperature is acheived the thermostat opens and diverts oil through the cooler element and comences cooling.
These are the issues I wanted to have more of an understanding for.
- What are the differences to oil Temps using the two methods?
- Are Temps maintained consistant without a thermostat?
There will be no discussion about if a cooler is reqiured for what car etc, etc. This is just a study on the above issues.
Findings:
With thermostat:
This is my Grex sandwich plate (with thermostat) on my old setup. It was a 2 hose arangement plumbed directly to the Trust 10 row cooler. My temperature sensor was plumbed into the sump.
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a265/DLO01/Misc/ResizeofDSC00776.jpg
Result:
With this above setup, under normal diving conditions, on the street, I constantly maintained 80-85 degrees celcius.
__________________________________________________ ______________
Without thermostat:
This is my sexy new setup (thanks Ed (Max-Hondapower) best trader. This is a 3 hose, remote oil filter arangement, using the same Trust 10 row cooler. My temperature sensor is plumbed in to the remote filter mount. Oil flow direction is a folows: Engine to Oil filter to Cooler to engine.
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a265/DLO01/Misc/ResizeofIMG_9148.jpg
Result:
With this above setup, under normal diving conditions, on the street, I constantly maintained no less than 80 degress celcius and reached a high of 82.5 degrees celcius.
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a265/DLO01/Misc/ResizeofDSC00772.jpg
I found, "the higher end of the Temps were during driving, 82.5 degrees". This is because the engine is 'working' and under load, the oil cooler although is cooling with airflow, is not 'efficent' enough to actually drop the temperature. Its safe to say then, the oil cooler does not cool, but just 'assists in cooling oil'
In turn, "the cooler end of the Temps I found, were at a stand still, 80 degrees". This is because the engine is at Idel and 'not working' not under load. The stock water/oil heat exchanger comes in to play and cools the oil temps more effectivly then if the motor was under load.
Conclusion:
As we can see, the oil temperature 'with' or 'without' a thermostat at normal opperating temperatures is very simular. A 'no thermostat setup' maintains just as much consistency as one that does have a thermostat.
So why have a thermostat?
It is very usefull to getting that oil warm and up to opperating temperature swiftly during cold startup. The thermostat will be closed and will not let the oil pass through the cooler and will alow your oil to warm up.
If you don't have a thermostat?
Like my new setup? Well, it just puts that bit more emphasis on warming your car up before you actually start driving. :(
To finish off. Weather you need a cooler or not, thermostat or not, 20 row, 10 row, its up to you to design your components to suit your cars needs and applications.
The responsibility comes down to you. :thumbsup:
Hope this is as much fun reading these findings as it was for me to put it all together.
Chow for now! :cool: