Oil Cooler Question

[METAVINYL]

Ok. This might be a dumb question, but I can’t seem to find the answer anywhere. If my car has a front oil cooler (non-factory) does my engine still use the stock oil cooler as well? Are they working together?

[patrick911]

when you say 'front oil cooler', are you referring to a square central one or a serpentine one in the wheelarch? And when you follow the oil lines, does that not provide you clarity on how it's connected?

[METAVINYL]

My front oil cooler is mounted to the passenger side front wheel well. The lines go all the way back along the rocker and connect to the factory Behr unit.

[Jim Breazeale]

The chance that your engine oil cooler has been removed is very slight. You can see it by looking at your motor from your knees just behind the right rear wheel. The oil return line will be attached to it.

Regards

Jim

[METAVINYL]

Ok. Thanks for the info. So if I want to return to stock I can just run from the oil tank to the rear cooler?

[gled49]

No, no, engine cooler is on pressure side of engine. Front cooler is part of the scavenger/return side of the oil system. Your system is aftermarket all the way. Hoses, thermostat and front cooler. If you want to return the car to stock, just remove all of the aftermarket cooler parts. Front coolers are desirable but you decide if the aftermarket system is something you want to keep.

[METAVINYL]

Ok. I think I can make sense of that. Seems straightforward. Now I need some advice. Is a front oil cooler seen as an upgrade across the board or does it detract from an original car? In other worlds, should I pull it out in the interest of keeping my car stock/original or should I keep it because technically speaking it is an upgrade?

[RSTarga]

In the interest of keeping your engine healthy, it is indispensable. You have a terbotrol or turbotrol cooler, fairly efficient and for Santa Cruz might be sufficient. You could change to the factory tubes and Carrera cooler.