Dual Oil Coolers (series or parallel)
05-15-07, 09:17 AM
#1
Dual Oil Coolers (series or parallel)
Looking for some technical info and\or experience 
Let me start by saying that YES I do have an oil temp problem; and is caused by the front mount intercooler. Now I know some of you are thinking that its imposible; not in my case since I have a 2nd gen. With that said, please hear me out; most 2nd gen owners install a 2nd fc oil cooler, and I was in the process of doing so. The problem with a 2nd gen FC oil cooler is that you will end up blocking the raditor, or having to cut the bumper\cover and create all kinds of ducting.
That's how I ended up here on the 3rd gen forum, most of you guys run dual oil coolers; besides I like how mazda moved the oil cooler to the sides on the FD\RX8, I am sure they have their own reasons for that.
OK, so here is the question; should I go with a serial or parallel installation? FC racers recommend PARALLEL, but 95% of the FD dual oil cooler kits (not to mentioned the R1) were configured in SERIES.
For those running dual oil coolers on their factory single cooler FD, did you noticed any oil pressure drop? Is one cooler hotter that the other?
Anybody running dual oil cooler in PARALLEL?
Let me start by saying that YES I do have an oil temp problem; and is caused by the front mount intercooler. Now I know some of you are thinking that its imposible; not in my case since I have a 2nd gen. With that said, please hear me out; most 2nd gen owners install a 2nd fc oil cooler, and I was in the process of doing so. The problem with a 2nd gen FC oil cooler is that you will end up blocking the raditor, or having to cut the bumper\cover and create all kinds of ducting.
That's how I ended up here on the 3rd gen forum, most of you guys run dual oil coolers; besides I like how mazda moved the oil cooler to the sides on the FD\RX8, I am sure they have their own reasons for that.
OK, so here is the question; should I go with a serial or parallel installation? FC racers recommend PARALLEL, but 95% of the FD dual oil cooler kits (not to mentioned the R1) were configured in SERIES.
For those running dual oil coolers on their factory single cooler FD, did you noticed any oil pressure drop? Is one cooler hotter that the other?
Anybody running dual oil cooler in PARALLEL?
05-15-07, 11:06 AM
#2
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Any benefits to running parallel would be offset by the increased complexity. A serial installation works GREAT and is easier and more simple. No pressure drop, in fact my pressure is higher because the oil temps are cooler.
05-15-07, 10:52 PM
#7
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05-16-07, 12:55 AM
#8
someone did a test on the difference between parallel and series and found that series did better for cooling with anything near stock oil pressures. The same person found that putting restrictors in the lines to SLOW down the flow of oil to spend more time in the exchangers actually yielded better results.
05-16-07, 06:27 AM
#10
someone did a test on the difference between parallel and series and found that series did better for cooling with anything near stock oil pressures. The same person found that putting restrictors in the lines to SLOW down the flow of oil to spend more time in the exchangers actually yielded better results.
Do you have a link? It would make for a nice reading
05-17-07, 10:41 AM
#11
Banned. I got OWNED!!!
Let me just make sure I understand this....
A serial (or in series) would be the oil exits the front cover and is fed to the T-stat. From the T-stat over to the first oil cooler, out of the first oil cooler to the second cooler, from the second cooler back to the t-stat the off to the oil pedastal.
A parallel set up would be from the front cover to the t-stat, out of the t stat to a T fitting which would split the oil to both coolers. From both coolers it would collect at a seperate T fitting before heading into the t-stat and back to the oil pedastal.
Correct?
I seem the think that a series would yield better cooling, less pressure drop, be more simplistic and cut down the possible leaks points considerably.
A serial (or in series) would be the oil exits the front cover and is fed to the T-stat. From the T-stat over to the first oil cooler, out of the first oil cooler to the second cooler, from the second cooler back to the t-stat the off to the oil pedastal.
A parallel set up would be from the front cover to the t-stat, out of the t stat to a T fitting which would split the oil to both coolers. From both coolers it would collect at a seperate T fitting before heading into the t-stat and back to the oil pedastal.
Correct?
I seem the think that a series would yield better cooling, less pressure drop, be more simplistic and cut down the possible leaks points considerably.
05-17-07, 07:54 PM
#12
Rotary Enthusiast
I have a parallel set up on my FD race car and a series set up on my street FD. I can't say I see much difference between the two - they both seem to work fine.
05-18-07, 10:58 AM
#13
Let me just make sure I understand this....
A serial (or in series) would be the oil exits the front cover and is fed to the T-stat. From the T-stat over to the first oil cooler, out of the first oil cooler to the second cooler, from the second cooler back to the t-stat the off to the oil pedastal.
A parallel set up would be from the front cover to the t-stat, out of the t stat to a T fitting which would split the oil to both coolers. From both coolers it would collect at a seperate T fitting before heading into the t-stat and back to the oil pedastal.
Correct?
I seem the think that a series would yield better cooling, less pressure drop, be more simplistic and cut down the possible leaks points considerably.
A serial (or in series) would be the oil exits the front cover and is fed to the T-stat. From the T-stat over to the first oil cooler, out of the first oil cooler to the second cooler, from the second cooler back to the t-stat the off to the oil pedastal.
A parallel set up would be from the front cover to the t-stat, out of the t stat to a T fitting which would split the oil to both coolers. From both coolers it would collect at a seperate T fitting before heading into the t-stat and back to the oil pedastal.
Correct?
I seem the think that a series would yield better cooling, less pressure drop, be more simplistic and cut down the possible leaks points considerably.
05-18-07, 11:10 AM
#15
Banned. I got OWNED!!!
Provide feedback soon as I plan on ordering some parts in the very near future for my FC as well..... twin Mocal 19 rows are a definate, just need to decide on the plumbing... so hurry up 
05-18-07, 01:30 PM
#18
Yes as long as you can find where to install the second one, which means you will end up cutting the bumper\cover, and\or blocking the raditor. My original intention was to use a 2nd OEM 2nd gen cooler, and after buying all hoses, and fittings; I decided to go the extra mile and do things right.
05-18-07, 03:36 PM
#19
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Its easy in an FC..Thats what titaniumTT has.
I have seen a 20B powered single turbo fc, with twin stock coolers. In AZ the oil temps never exceeded 160 deg at the oil filter. This is with an FC koyo Nflow. the water temps where also way down, and thats with a FMIC.
I have seen a 20B powered single turbo fc, with twin stock coolers. In AZ the oil temps never exceeded 160 deg at the oil filter. This is with an FC koyo Nflow. the water temps where also way down, and thats with a FMIC.
Yes as long as you can find where to install the second one, which means you will end up cutting the bumper\cover, and\or blocking the raditor. My original intention was to use a 2nd OEM 2nd gen cooler, and after buying all hoses, and fittings; I decided to go the extra mile and do things right.
05-18-07, 05:15 PM
#22
Banned. I got OWNED!!!
I may have an FC but I'm VMIC it so twon stock FC oilcoolers are out. I do have two FC coolers though.... hmmm... nah, not worth it at this point. Right now the only decision is between running the Mocals in series or parrellel
05-18-07, 06:21 PM
#23
On any case, I have an oil temp\pressure gauge; and will provide feedback as soon as I get them installed (hopefully tomorrow
)
05-18-07, 08:31 PM
#25
What's your point ?
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Doesn't parallel require dual thermostats (one for each cooler) ? or do you just use the one oil cooler without a t-stat and then if if doesn't cool well enough the second one comes on line. ?