oil coolers

**incoming** · 12-01-2006 08:55 AM

i was under the thought that vtec runs on oil pressure AND oil temp?

like when u start ur car oil temp is low. thus vtec doesnt engage..
wouldnt running an oil cooler on street (daily driving) be bad for vtec motors?

i was told by a mechanic for my bro's turbo ae86 when he drives on street, to block the oil cooler with cardboard as well

edit: sorry i just noticed he was talking about high comp NA motors and not normal motors

**wynode** · 12-01-2006 10:23 AM

oil cooler won't drop your oil temp that much that VTEC won't engage. But despite that, VTEC engangement is governed by the coolant temp and not oil temp AFAIK.

**tinkerbell** · 12-01-2006 11:54 AM

Originally Posted by tofu R

well what is operational temperatures??

if you dont have an oil cooler your oil will constantly be at 85-95 degrees plus..

my uncooled oil temp hits 115'c on the freeway at 110km/h

and has been over 137'c on the race track...

and sits around 100'c in normal suburban driving, with the temp sensor in the sump...

steve - can you ask the workshop what an *optimum* temperature is?

**tinkerbell** · 12-01-2006 11:55 AM

wyn - yes, it is coolant temp... not oil temp

**fatboyz39** · 12-01-2006 02:31 PM

A oil cooler will insure the engines life.

Pretty cheap considering a engine cost 4-5k.

If the oil temp is low for street, then block the unit off with cardboard or plastic.

When tracking or hard driving take it off

**steve** · 12-01-2006 02:49 PM

Originally Posted by tinkerbell

steve - can you ask the workshop what an *optimum* temperature is?

Well like i said, neither engine is mine, nor did i build either of them or have any communication with the workshops at all, so i think i would feel abit out of place...

I'm sure if you pm Toda or other established engine builders they should be able to tell you

**tinkerbell** · 12-01-2006 02:59 PM

awwww, steve, you seemed so confident, dont back out now...

**steve** · 12-01-2006 03:25 PM

Not once did i claim to kno what optimum oil temp was...
Nor did i claim to kno much about the finer workings of oil cooler systems...

I simply stated my experience with oil coolers and there suitability for the street.

That and the fact that these renowned workshops recommended not to bother with external air to air oil coolers for street use

**Slow96GSR** · 12-01-2006 03:32 PM

Just so you know thay make a thermostat switching unit for the oil coolers. You get that in and when the oil temp gets hot enough it opens and starts to cool. Nicest part of the cooler it the filter relocation! Imo I'd get the oil cooler and the Thermostat valve and hook it up.

**tofu R** · 13-01-2006 11:36 PM

Originally Posted by BiGANG

Tofu R, what did u end up paying for the earls cooler? was it a full kit with lines and oil filter relocation or just a core and u got someone to cut lines to suit your car?

Hey mate...
ended up paying about $660-$675 for the oil cooler

its not really a kit
but has all the parts for a kit
pretty easy to install etc

we bought it in a group buy with 5 of us ..

we got all the fittings
a 16 row oil cooler
4.1M of line
sandwich plate

all earls parts.
i ended up getting a trade discount .. and now have an account with them .. if anyone wants an oil cooler . hit me up .. and ill see if i can arrange trade price for ya!

**tank** · 14-01-2006 07:17 AM

The optimum engine oil temperature that your oil will be most efficient in protecting your engine will depend on the type of oil you are running.

synthetic or mineral
0W-40 or 10W-30 or 10W-40 or 20W-60 etc
eg. 20W-60 will have the highest operating temperature of the above ranges

Just run the apropriate temp range synthetic oil on the street and light track work. No oil cooler needed.

On a race track, your tyres or brakes will give up before your engine oil.