My car was running hot on the highway after a fmic install. Around 210 even after ducting and a good fan setup. So I decided to install an oil cooler. I bought the following setup:
http://item.mobileweb.ebay.com/viewitem;PdsSession=9d21db7c1380a5aa4632ff32ffe753b5?itemId=380455374727&index=0&nav=SEARCH&nid=01814039272

The oil cooler itself is a 19 row cooler and is a nice design. I got everything setup, fired the car up, my oil pressure is normal as it was before the install and now the car runs at 195-200 on the highway on a hot day instead of 210. The weird part is I put my hand on the cooler it is cool to the touch. Both the return line and feed line from the oil filter are hot/warm.

Can the oil cooler be just that efficient. I figured there could be a blockage in the cooler itself, but being brand new and running the car 10 degrees cooler on the highway makes me believe this is not the case. I spent sometime wrapping my mind around this simple problem and that is what I have come up with. Any input is appreciated.

Thank you

[Edited on July 18, 2012 at 10:54 PM. Reason : X]

7/18/2012 10:54:00 PM

What's your oil temp running at? I could be off base here (and someone who knows please correct) but I think you ideally want around 200-230* for your oil operating temps. Yes this will be slightly higher than your water temp, but you also want to make sure that the temp is high enough to seperate condensation in the oil.

If your oil temps are consitent in that range and your water temp is too high, you need to add water wetters or improve water cooling (larger radiator).

Keep in mind that additional rows and/or thicker radiators do not always mean cooler temps.

7/18/2012 11:07:22 PM

Yes. No idea on oil temp. It typically runs hotter than water. I expended many options of how to cooafter water down, so I went with an oil cooler. I will be swapping to water wetter/distilled water setup soon for the rest of the summer/track days. I am running A bigger radiator etc. that is not the question. I'm just tripping on how the cooler is cool to the touch, it is obviously working



[Edited on July 18, 2012 at 11:36 PM. Reason : X]

7/18/2012 11:34:12 PM

Nice, does it have a thermostat for the oil?

I did some research on them a while ago, and will probably go this route

7/19/2012 12:16:35 AM

335i runs 220-240F on highway and up to 260F when hot. i would think 210 is good?

7/19/2012 12:35:03 AM

^are you talking about oil temps? I am talking water temps dropping, still have yet to install an oil temp.

^^there is no thermostat with this setup. That is around $120+ setup on top of this I believe.

I also don't believe my car runs a thermostat stock. That is a good thing to look into and I will.

Beat on the car for a little bit today on the way to work.

Oil lines warm, not as hot as yesterday, oil cooler still cool. Oil pressure holds well. Filter is warmest thing in the system.

I am bitching about how I wish the oil cooler were warm and not just cool to the touch. lol I guess it works too well. Soon I will install an oil temp guage.

[Edited on July 19, 2012 at 11:14 AM. Reason : .]

7/19/2012 11:09:53 AM

Bought a greddy sandwich plate with built in thermostat to solve all woes.

7/20/2012 6:46:32 PM

My general thoughts-

- you've decreased radiator efficiency with the intercooler (collective, duh)
- fwiw, and I know no specifics from your particular car - you may not have the cooler plumbed into the 'hottest' location on the engine.
- Cooling the oil too much can interfere with proper performance (read: not reaching the optimum steady state temp it should be at)
- Have you considered a lower temperature thermostat for the engine?

7/20/2012 7:09:29 PM

Have read all of this. The plumbing is good. Yea installing the thermostat so oil levels stay proper. Oil cooler is behind bumped/vent

Lower temp thermostat will make car run in rich/cold mode.

I have it all figured out now. How is the trans on the dodge holding up

7/20/2012 7:34:58 PM

^fair enough, wasnt sure about t-stat temperature differences


Dodge runs fine, been sitting on jackstands for two months while i've been trying to get my drag-racing oriented wheels/tires going. Luckily Adam8778's lending me some rollers for the interim while I get $$$ built up

7/21/2012 8:04:23 AM

Sounds epic

7/24/2012 8:39:28 AM

my apologies if you've mentioned before, but is this car for driftorz, dyno, drag, road course, or just for the sake of a good build?

7/24/2012 8:53:52 AM

I built the car back in college to stay constructive and it seemed a challenge. I have learned mechanically along the way a lot. Now on the side I repair friends cars and help others.

I daily drive this car and track it once or twice a year. I drag race it sometimes too, it is quick but heavy being a 'vert. It is a 14 second car soon to be 13 seconds after I put on the bigger snail next week. I tweak on it because I like the car a lot and I'm wanting to put a built rb20 in it for fun within the next couple months that I did up myself.



[Edited on July 24, 2012 at 12:18 PM. Reason : .]

7/24/2012 12:13:20 PM