Consensus on Oil Cooler Fans

[Roadrunner]

I'll start first by saying I never ever experience high temperatures on the street, even in stop start work traffic. Literally zero issues.
I do however have a problem keeping the car cool on the track.
Have an upgraded radiator and ducting. Next step is an oil cooler.

I'm considering an oil cooler in the front fender AKA Lokiel's install or above the intercooler up front, but worried about overcooling the oil when on the street/freeway. Even with a thermostat, they all open at 80 degrees which seems cold for oil and they all flow a small amount of oil to maintain pressure and searching shows reports that the oil on the street is constantly colder than thermostat temp which isn't good for oil.

My brain fart is, mount the cooler in a place with no airflow with a switched fan, like the front fender with the fog light still in place.
On the street it'll basically do nothing as the fog light is blocking air flow, but when at the track, flick a switch and the fan pulls air, cooling the oil.

Something like this: http://www.setrabusa.com/products/fanpa ... index.html

Thoughts?

If there is actually enough room for the cooler and fan combo, will the fan even do anything to cool the oil or should I just stop trying to re-invent the wheel and stick the cooler up front above the intercooler and to hell with the cold oil temps?

[NitroDann]

Huge one behind the radiator works.

[Roadrunner]

Huge one behind the radiator works.

I just looked at this spot and I honestly don't know how you all run coolers.

Between the fans and engine would make install a breeze but with the SE fans I really don't know if any would fit. It's crazy tight.

Even looking at the other two places I mentioned, how you'd even get lines to there does my head in.
Maybe I should just bring it to you and pay you to do it That would be much better for my sanity

Perhaps I should look to get the FlyinMiata crossflow radiator first and see how things go from there. Has to be better than the Koyo Rad right?
Cooler coolant = cooler oil?

[Apu]

I had mine mounted in the wiper cowl area, where the NoPro washer bottle goes. High pressure area, no need for fans.

In traffic, the car did get hot but with a bit of movement, temps would drop to reasonable levels - cruising on the highway could see 85degC. It would get high at the track but one cool off lap and I’d be back to ~100degC.

I did contemplate mounting a water spray on the oil cooler and had all the fittings, just didn’t get around to it.

[greenMachine]

I like it.

In an area of relatively stagnant air (ie in front of the front wheel), without the fan running there would be little to no cooling happening - no need for a thermostat in the oil line. An on/off thermo switch would effectively do the job of an oil line thermostat, but better might be a variable speed fan, perhaps dríven by a pwm output from the ecu (a la electric water pump). Also frees up the foglight for brake ducting ...

If you look like getting one of these, let me know, we might be able to share freight



ETA: Available locally

[StillIC]

Like Dann suggested, I have a big cooler behind the rad. On the track it needs no fan due to high speed air flow, but in summer traffic when stopped it sometimes does. I have a door/flap to block flow unless the day is very hot, track or street, as in cool weather it runs too cold without the flap.

My point is that the idea is valid but your logic about when you need the fan may end up being wrong, but that doesn't matter as you will have switch.

[Roadrunner]

Hey StillIC, I’m liking the sound of this spot more and more.
Do you have a photo of the cooler in your engine bay?
What size cooler do you use?

[StillIC]

I am currently away from home and car (in QLD). I'll have to get back to you. But you are welcome to come and have a look at it if you like. Pm me. I will be home tomorrow.

Edit: I should add that my oil cooler replaced the AC fan for space. So only one radiator fan installed.

[Roadrunner]

Hey sorry, only just saw this post. Dann sent me a message with pics.
Only 1 fan is a problem for me. Can't go without AC or the other half gets a bit aggravated on hot days

[Apu]

Forgot to add, there’s a car running around with the oil cooler mounted where I suggested - firewall / cowl area, with two CPU fans mounted. Works well apparently.

[NitroDann]

There's no reason you can't set the car up so that the main fan runs with the air conditioner ratger than the secondary fan.

The physical wiring change on most cars can probably be avoided as the change is probably possible just by ticking a box in the software.

[The American]

My oil cooler is inside the driver’s side fender/bumper behind the fog light. I’ve struggled to match Lokiel’s ducting skills and have thought about using a fan that piggybacks the second fan circuit.

Even looking at the other two places I mentioned, how you'd even get lines to there does my head in.

Have a look at my garage thread for the pathway for the lines to the cooler in the ‘fog light location’. It’s not quite a simple as an install behind the radiator, but the lines are short and easy to route.

[The American]

This page: http://mx5cartalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=57&t=62304&start=255

[Roadrunner]

This page: http://mx5cartalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=57&t=62304&start=255

Thanks. What size cooler did you use?
I have brake ducts, intercooler piping and fog lights all filling up that space. Up above theres the BOV, fuel canister etc. like the idea of the greddy unit mounted upside down, but So tight for room in the SE.
Good to know hoses will fit down that space behind the headlight. I looked at that but wasn’t sure if there was room.
At this stage I might put the oil cooler on the back burner and focus more on radiator ducting that got a bit “hacked up” when I did the brake ducts.

[The American]

From memory, it is a setrab 25 row ‘narrow’. My intercooler pipework is there too, but no brake ducts. If I was planning it again for use with a fan, I’d look at mounting it horizontally which would lead more room for other activities using the fog light opening.