What would improve overall/global cooling more: Oil Cooler or Performance Radiator?
 

Let's say, you aren't the richest person in the world, and you would like to get your 1st high performance cooling modification part, and can get only 1 part.

Which would you buy first and which would help the most in global/overall engine cooling (both oil and coolant/water temperatures)...?

...an oil cooler, or a new aftermarket plug-n-play/drop-in radiator (ie: Koyo, Mishimoto, etc.)?


From what I've read(correct me if I'm wrong), the water/coolant temperatures don't really get super hot at the track. On the other hand/end however, some people said that the oil temperatures get hot sometimes during hard laps.

Obviously, an aftermarket radiator addresses the water temps first(which aren't the first concern, as the oil is more of a priority I believe), and would secondarily help the oil temps by bringing the overall engine temps down with the new radiator and cooler water temps.

So, since we need to address the oil temps first, would getting an oil cooler first be the better/smarter choice? ...since an oil cooler would address both the oil temps firstly, and then secondarily and also additionally bring overall engine temps down and the water temps down as well, from the cooler oil?

Oil cooler.

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/...5-16-36-34.png

These were my temps during that last track event in Chuckwalla.

CARNZ did a DIY to install a Forester XT oil cooler (coolant-to-oil, not air-to-oil) here. I asked him about the idea of using the coolant lines from the throttle body (seen here) instead of running them from the block, and he didn't see a problem with it. I know some turbo kits use those lines, so there may be conflict if you have a turbo.

why not both? I ordered both Koyo Radiator and OEM Oil cooler. I figured the OEM unit utilizes the radiator so by upgrading the radiator capacity you also improve the effectiveness of the oil cooler. This is the case with many sports cars that come with oil cooler from factory (not exactly sure why Subaru didn't include the oil cooler anyways) including Miatas, Corvettes..etc

why does everyone think the FT86 needs a bigger radiator? I drive mine on track in 108f temps with the AC on sitting in the hot pits....then turn it off on track with windows down...car never-ever waivered....always right in its normal temp spot.

Oil cooler is a good idea, especially with such light weight oils....

FWIW, last weekend at Chuckwalla:

Peak coolant temp w/ heater to "Hi" but blower on lowest setting was at most ~95C
Peak oil temp w/ Cusco oil cooler (same as Forester kit, sandwich adapter) was 116C

Without this, oil temps of 130-140C would have been reached easily (documented on multiple occasions by other people)

-alex

Yeah I think oil cooler is needed even on a stock car in hot temps during track days, really don't know why they didn't include the OEM one from the FA20DIT... Radiator is a FI upgrade.

Most OEM gauges are not linear. They have steps and you won't know it's too hot until it's too late.

With that said, I'm going to be doing a coolant and oil temp gauge and then do some road course testing. Then we will put in an oil cooler and retest. Then a radiator and retest.

-Mike Paisan

http://www.pbase.com/paisan/image/153798190.jpg
Maintaining, Modifying and Educating TriState Enthusiasts since 2001.
Like us on Facebook! | E-mail: sales@azpinstalls.com | 725 Fairfield Ave | Kenilworth, NJ 07033 | 908.248.AZP1 (2971) |AIM: AZP Installs
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What app is that?

-Mike Paisan

http://www.pbase.com/paisan/image/153798190.jpg
Maintaining, Modifying and Educating TriState Enthusiasts since 2001.
Like us on Facebook! | E-mail: sales@azpinstalls.com | 725 Fairfield Ave | Kenilworth, NJ 07033 | 908.248.AZP1 (2971) |AIM: AZP Installs
"Race Tested, Enthusiast Approved!"

torque the defacto obd2 auto app for android.

thanks. :)

Wasn't sure if it was an actual gauge sensor or if it was just reading OBDII.

-mike

I seem to be one of the only ones on the forum that have seen higher coolant temps on the stock radiator. Coolant was always up to 212F in long idling, autox, dyno.

Even after I added the Koyo, same issue, it just would take longer to heat soak but quicker to cool in open air or when fans kicked on.

Sounds like a bad T-stat possibly?

-Mike Paisan

http://www.pbase.com/paisan/image/153798190.jpg
Maintaining, Modifying and Educating TriState Enthusiasts since 2001.
Like us on Facebook! | E-mail: sales@azpinstalls.com | 725 Fairfield Ave | Kenilworth, NJ 07033 | 908.248.AZP1 (2971) |AIM: AZP Installs
"Race Tested, Enthusiast Approved!"