Oil Cooler vs. High Performance Rad
 

Hi everyone! I had a question about which would keep the engine cooler for the money: an oil cooler or a high performance radiator.
Which would you prefer? As a reference, I was looking at the Mishimoto oil cooler and radiator.
Any info appreciated!:D

What will be your intended car use?

Oil cooler is better bang for buck, but pending what will be your application might need to get both.

Oil cooler definitely, for stock (and even low pressure boosted) power OEM radiator is more than adequate.

Thanks for the quick responses!
It will be a daily driver with regular track use.

Why not both? You can get a water to oil cooler kit (Cusco, factory Forester , Robispec, etc)

I was debating whether I should go Water or air cooled and decided to go water.

Oil is the only thing actively cooling the reciprocating parts in the motor, meaning it's actually more important than the coolant.

This is actually what I was going to ask, I do a decent amount of stop/go traffic driving and freeway stuff so I was wondering if this would help / extend the life of the car

That's pretty much my use too. I think the best bang for buck in that area is the Forester oil cooler: http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=50427

If, once you've installed a cooler, you feel the need for a bigger radiator you can still upgrade it. With my otherwise stock engine, I do not find it necessary at all, even on track. Both oil and water temps stay well within acceptable ranges.

The radiator doesn't cool oil as well as the engine?

My GTI has the stock radiator and upgrade FMIC. I've done several track runs and autox's and never had an issue with oil temps.

If I recall many other posting it has to do with how sealed up the engine bay is. Between the skid plates on the bottom of the car as well as the rubber seals etc on the hood the engine compartment traps heat quite well. It's especially apparent with boosted applications.

Best bang for buck is oil cooler. Cooling oil is an issue even on stock cars. Upgraded Rad is really not that important until you go to FI or are hard core tracking it.

Hell, I'd even draw that line at FI AND hardcore tracking it. I'm N/A with a giant exhaust manifold that passes pretty close to the radiator and I've still never seem the water above 212 while I'm trackng