Final verdict (IMO) on oil cooler vs. no cooler debate
Jun 26, 2011, 12:52 AM
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Final verdict (IMO) on oil cooler vs. no cooler debate
My car-
03 Evo
2.0L aluminum rod motor
FullRace header, HTA86 turbo
Driven intake
etc....
Anyway, I'm not going to over complicate things. Installed oil temp gauge....oil temps were ~225 after a short pull and stayed there. This is in 60 degree ambient temps. Installed oil cooler (same one from STM oil cooler kit), oil temps dropped to 195 during the same conditions, and have remained the same in up to 80 degree ambient temps so far. Oil used is Valvoline VR1 20W50.
My educated verdict-Your engine will live without the cooler, but I suspect that oil temps in hotter climates and/or during dyno/street tuning sessions will get to over 250 degrees, which is not ideal. For the price that you can piece a cooler kit together (200 bucks), it just makes NO sense to not run one.
03 Evo
2.0L aluminum rod motor
FullRace header, HTA86 turbo
Driven intake
etc....
Anyway, I'm not going to over complicate things. Installed oil temp gauge....oil temps were ~225 after a short pull and stayed there. This is in 60 degree ambient temps. Installed oil cooler (same one from STM oil cooler kit), oil temps dropped to 195 during the same conditions, and have remained the same in up to 80 degree ambient temps so far. Oil used is Valvoline VR1 20W50.
My educated verdict-Your engine will live without the cooler, but I suspect that oil temps in hotter climates and/or during dyno/street tuning sessions will get to over 250 degrees, which is not ideal. For the price that you can piece a cooler kit together (200 bucks), it just makes NO sense to not run one.
