I am always trying to think of a good use for all the RX-7 parts - I have a garage full of them, including several oil coolers. I am building an unusual vehicle, and needed a wide, low profile radiator to cool the engine, which is a 1300 cc Kawasaki 6 cylinder, 120 HP. We wanted something that would not cover up the fancy stainless exhaust we built, as this exposed exhaust is part of the styling of the vehicle. I cut the tanks off a GSL-Se oil coller, and pulled out the diffuser strips. If you never took one of these apart, the passages are stuffed with some wavy, perforated aluminum strips which severely restrict the oil flow.

I fabricated some tanks from 1 by 2 inch thin aluminum tubing, and had it welded up by my friend and master welder Roy Fletcher.

Some details of the Stiletto project are shown here. Keep in mind this is a prototype. We are already thinking of ways to simplify fabrication of the next one:

http://www.rgv250.co.uk/forums/index...pic=8545&st=10

 

That's good fabrication with a $500 CALSONIC oil cooler

 

The idea behind the strips in the cooler are not for restriction,but to cause turbulance so that the oil cools better.I like the project by the way.

Chris

 

agreed...nice looking project and wicked oil cooler idea...

 

Definitely cool.

If you have several oil coolers that you're looking for good uses for, my 7 could use one

Jon

 

noobtacular post: where the hell did the 1.3L kawi six come from? is there possibly a motorcycle that would use that monster?

 

isnt the oil cooler meant to flow side to side? top to bottom might not be so great at cooling.

i guess test it out and see how she goes, nice fab work man!

 

"noobtacular post: where the hell did the 1.3L kawi six come from? is there possibly a motorcycle that would use that monster?"

Indeed, the KZ1300, introduced in 1979, was the most powerful production motorcycle engine at that time - 120 HP. Mine is actually from a ZN1300, same horsepower but with electronic fuel injection, more like a Goldwing with lots of luggage and useful things like air suspension and a remote compass! Lots of photos here:

http://www.kz1300.com/members/

The radiator tubing is isolated by baffles - In the top tank, across to one side, through the tubes to the other side, and then out the bottom tank. This give a lot more water volume than the original oil cooler, and we had to take it apart anyway to pull out the diffusers.

 

Well, our home made radiator is mounted now. Would anybody ever recognize this as a Mazda oil cooler??

 

Wow Ben, that looks great, should I expect some test drives past my house in the spring??

Lloyd

 

I am jealous. Follow your ideas.

 

quite impressive.

 

huh...interesting build. Let us know if she works!