Notices
Series I Tech Garage The place to discuss anything technical about the RX-8 that doesn't fit into any of the categories below.

Uprated Oil Coolers

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old 11-03-2008 | 09:56 AM
  #1  
DY8's Avatar
DY8
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
Uprated Oil Coolers

I am looking to participate in Sprint racing / Hill climbing in 2009 with the rx8 (they might be different names in the States, but it's basically a series of short circuit - low - gear racing) and was wondering if anyone had uprated their oil coolers to aid in maintaining a good engine temperature and prevent overheating.

Along with this I'll be fitting a roll cage etc but wondered if there was info on the above I have searched, but there seems to be little info on this subject.

Merci!

Jimmy
Old 11-03-2008 | 10:14 AM
  #2  
Red Devil's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 3,086
Likes: 1
From: Misinformation Director - Evolv Chicago
You could just get some larger capacity setrab coolers to go in the OEM locations

http://www.setrabusa.com/index2.html
Old 11-03-2008 | 10:19 AM
  #3  
DY8's Avatar
DY8
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
Thumbs up

cheers, I had been looking at Setrab along with Mocal. Mainly wanted to know if there was a "tried and tested" recommendation

Thanks for the reply
Old 11-03-2008 | 11:40 AM
  #4  
olddragger's Avatar
Registered
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,828
Likes: 38
From: macon, georgia
the coolant temps is more important than the oil. Get the coolant under control and the oil will be taken care of.
OD
Old 11-04-2008 | 09:01 PM
  #5  
darnellm's Avatar
Registered
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 394
Likes: 2
From: Baltimore, MD
rotary engines are 1/3 oil cooled so I would not ignore the oil temps
I agree that the water temps are the more critical ;however keeping the oil temps low will help the water temps. Mr Tremblay told me this in person last week.
Old 11-05-2008 | 11:02 AM
  #6  
olddragger's Avatar
Registered
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,828
Likes: 38
From: macon, georgia
oil can go safey over 230F. coolant cannot and mantain engine longetivity.
True oil also serves as a coolant for this engine. But that oil is not asked to cool as much if the coolant temps are under control.
If you can keep your coolant under 200F you will not have any oil temp problem. If you cool the oil to much and the coolant is still hotter than it needs be then thats a problem.
Work on the primary problem--not the secondary. Just a little friendly suggestion. Accept it for what it is worth to ya
OD
Old 11-05-2008 | 07:42 PM
  #7  
09Factor's Avatar
Original Turbo 'd Auto !!
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,133
Likes: 4
From: Surprise, Arizona
Originally Posted by olddragger
the coolant temps is more important than the oil. Get the coolant under control and the oil will be taken care of.
OD
Is this statement still true if the bypass plug on the oil coolers fail to open?
Old 11-05-2008 | 07:51 PM
  #8  
StealthTL's Avatar
Metatron
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 7,284
Likes: 175
From: A Pacific Island.
How would you ever know if the bypass stuck?

S
Old 11-05-2008 | 08:04 PM
  #9  
09Factor's Avatar
Original Turbo 'd Auto !!
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,133
Likes: 4
From: Surprise, Arizona
Thats a loaded question Stealth.

1. would be elevated oil temps with the coolant temp staying the same.
2. Removing the bypass plug out of the oil cooler(s) and examining the wear marks on the valve shaft.

I noticed the oil temp gauge was showing a higher temp than normal and the coolant temp stayed @ 200-205.

It takes a 7/8 wrench to remove the valve plug.

Removed the plug and looked at the wear markings on the shaft.

I heated a mug of water to 200 degrees and in serted the valve body. it only opened 2mm. Let plug cool off and tried a mug of water @ 230 degrees 2.2 mm of opening travel.

I matched the wear marking on the shaft to the measured travel and they matched.

Now on the shaft there were 2 distinct were marks. One being newer this would be the max travel of 2.2mm. The other was 6.7mm in length and was the older.

I have pics but they didn't capture the wear marks well.
Old 11-06-2008 | 11:54 AM
  #10  
olddragger's Avatar
Registered
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,828
Likes: 38
From: macon, georgia
well thats a horse of a differant color.
If the oil is not flowing through the coolers --course it will heat up. I think some race teams report increase of temps on track of 40 degrees if they lose a cooler.
What is the spec on the oil bypass's?
Good ?
OD
Old 11-06-2008 | 04:44 PM
  #11  
Nubo's Avatar
Lubricious
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 3,425
Likes: 4
From: SF Bay Area, California
Originally Posted by darnellm
rotary engines are 1/3 oil cooled so I would not ignore the oil temps
I agree that the water temps are the more critical ;however keeping the oil temps low will help the water temps. Mr Tremblay told me this in person last week.
Unfortunately, the OP is talking about a situation where the engine is making a lot of power, but not travelling very fast. Since the oil coolers are passive, they won't be getting much airflow.
Old 11-06-2008 | 05:05 PM
  #12  
Brettus's Avatar
Boosted Kiwi
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 20,604
Likes: 1,535
From: Y-cat-o NZ
or you could do what i did .
Turn one of the oil coolers into a second radiator .
During recent testing after fitting a turbo we did some full on acceleration runs through the gears - water temp went from 83C (thermostat opening temp) to 85C and quickly came back to 83 after letting off the throttle .
Admittedly this was at coolish ambient temps - 18C . Will do some better tests soon but initial results were very promising ......
Old 11-06-2008 | 06:55 PM
  #13  
09Factor's Avatar
Original Turbo 'd Auto !!
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,133
Likes: 4
From: Surprise, Arizona
Originally Posted by Brettus
or you could do what i did .
Turn one of the oil coolers into a second radiator .
During recent testing after fitting a turbo we did some full on acceleration runs through the gears - water temp went from 83C (thermostat opening temp) to 85C and quickly came back to 83 after letting off the throttle .
Admittedly this was at coolish ambient temps - 18C . Will do some better tests soon but initial results were very promising ......
Very good use of the other cooler.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Carbon8
RX-8's For Sale/Wanted
42
02-27-2020 09:39 AM
RXFEVER
RX-8 Parts For Sale/Wanted
38
08-29-2018 11:14 AM
RXFEVER
West For Sale/Wanted
17
09-11-2016 03:51 PM
9krpmrx8
RX-8 Discussion
8
10-13-2015 02:36 PM
SBGarage
Vendor Classifieds
0
09-06-2015 04:30 PM



You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.

Quick Reply: Uprated Oil Coolers



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:55 AM.