SWB: What are the alternatives to adding a front oil cooler ?

[Xavier PJB]

Greetings,

I am thinking to install a second oil cooler to my swb 1968 in addition the single engine one. I plan to do some track days with, and I know that will have a serious impact on the oil temp.
I know the G-model kit and the one from Elephant Racing (G-Model again I guess).

Show me your installation and please make some recommendation, please.

:-)

Cheers
X

[MikeyC]

Hi Xavier,

Do yo know how much bhp your engine is producing? ...and during hard driving in it's current state, do you notice any difficulty with oil cooling in your current configuration?

My '68 has S-cams, 2.2 barrels and pistons, intake and exhaust mods, and only the engine-mounted cooler for company. I can drive that hard at trackdays and oil temp stays well in the LHS of the gauge all day long......the brakes start to complain long before the oil . A full-length race would warm things up more, for sure, but I would assume that as long as you're less than around 150bhp (even the stock '68S @ 160bhp relied only on engine cooler), you should be fine for trackdays.

Of course, if you want to put one in anyway, don't let me stop you.....

[Xavier PJB]

This is the kind of feedback I seek. The 2.0S engine currently in is a bit above 160HP as it is stock + 10.5:1 compression (Wossner tailor made pistons).
I have not been on track yet with the car, neither with the previous 2.4T nor the new 2.0S.

I've experienced an oil temp issue with my 3.2 on 46mm PMO which was fine on highways but that was another story on track. I did add a front oil RS style cooler and THAT made a HUGE difference.

In the other hand, I could go and test - if oil temp goes high then I have the "opentherearlidby2inches" option and temp may drop by 5-10°C. (it works well)

X

Hi Xavier,

Do yo know how much bhp your engine is producing? ...and during hard driving in it's current state, do you notice any difficulty with oil cooling in your current configuration?

My '68 has S-cams, 2.2 barrels and pistons, intake and exhaust mods, and only the engine-mounted cooler for company. I can drive that hard at trackdays and oil temp stays well in the LHS of the gauge all day long......the brakes start to complain long before the oil . A full-length race would warm things up more, for sure, but I would assume that as long as you're less than around 150bhp (even the stock '68S @ 160bhp relied only on engine cooler), you should be fine for trackdays.

Of course, if you want to put one in anyway, don't let me stop you.....

[MikeyC]

Definitely. You're in the realms of 'test it and see how well behaved it is' before needing to invest.

One thing is for sure, you will have fun finding out!

[edmayo]

To some degree (pun intended) it depends on where you live, here in Texas there is no debate! On my 67 S I have a Carrera front cooler, and used a 69-71 S thermostat arrangement. Even flogging it on a 100 degree day the temp doesn't go above 200 degrees, in fact usually around 195. If I didn't have the front cooler temps would be at 250 or so. For us here the decision is easy!

[Xavier PJB]

Another factor to consider, yes. It is now around 35-38°C outside in France, which on highways can be fine for the oil temp, but on track...
I keep the pictures of the setup.
X

To some degree (pun intended) it depends on where you live, here in Texas there is no debate! On my 67 S I have a Carrera front cooler, and used a 69-71 S thermostat arrangement. Even flogging it on a 100 degree day the temp doesn't go above 200 degrees, in fact usually around 195. If I didn't have the front cooler temps would be at 250 or so. For us here the decision is easy!

[1968DT]

Twin-ignition could reduce head temps (less advance timing).