1st Generation Specific (1979-1985) 1979-1985 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections

Installing a oil cooler kit on 1985 maZda fx7 12a

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 08-21-18, 03:27 PM
  #1  
Banned. I got OWNED!!!
Thread Starter
 
rx7junkie170's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: NYC
Posts: 190
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
Installing a oil cooler kit on 1985 maZda fx7 12a


I bought a oil cooler for my Rex on eBay it came with 3 lines and a adapter where like a oil filter goes I was wondering do I have to remove the beehive oil cooler to install it or can I leave it on I’m lost as ever help please how I install this
Old 08-21-18, 03:46 PM
  #2  
Out In the Barn


iTrader: (9)
 
KansasCityREPU's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: KC
Posts: 6,047
Received 1,013 Likes on 799 Posts
That setup will not work. There is so much wrong with these parts as a stock or stock like replacement.

1. The oil cooler does not have an internal thermostat.
2. The cooler is way too small.
3. The hoses look way to long.
4. The oil pedestal sandwich will not work.
5. You need the correct adapters to convert the rear and front to AN.
6. You could can find something closer than Australia.

Last edited by KansasCityREPU; 08-21-18 at 07:00 PM.
Old 08-21-18, 05:52 PM
  #3  
Senior Member

iTrader: (4)
 
tommyeflight89's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Toronto Canada
Posts: 696
Received 85 Likes on 60 Posts
Not much else to say ^

The only oil cooler that should be going in your car is a stock OEM replacement. Find one used for about $100 and have it cleaned out and replace the thermostat crush washer. Make up some new lines and you are all set.

Did you lose the original to your car?
Old 08-21-18, 11:56 PM
  #4  
Full Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Ottoman5000's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Simi valley
Posts: 69
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Darn. I thought skits looked to good to be true

its got to be better than the beehive, no?

Old 08-22-18, 01:56 AM
  #5  
84SE-EGI helpy-helperton

 
LongDuck's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 3,312
Received 357 Likes on 248 Posts
No.

The thing about a rotary engine is that the nature of the internally spinning rotors means that the oil has to carry away a significant portion of the heat from the INSIDES of the rotors. That oil that's sprayed there gets super hot and must be cooled effectively before it goes back into the engine. The oil cooler is responsible for getting rid of that waste heat and the factory units are sized appropriately, contain a thermostat that controls flow, and is mounted in such a way as to get a good bit of air coming in the front end. Mazda had the right idea originally with the 79/80 FMOC, went cheap on the 81+ 12a cars with the water/oil cooler, and realized it needed a bit more for the 13b GSL-SEs, and added the FMOC. All later cars had FMOC of several varieties, because that's how important cooling the oil is to a rotary engine.

Stick with stock; anything else won't work effectively and is likely to toast your engine.
Old 08-22-18, 03:45 AM
  #6  
Instrument Of G0D.


iTrader: (1)
 
WANKfactor's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: omnipresent
Posts: 1,540
Received 977 Likes on 735 Posts
You could hypothetically use that little oil cooler in-line with the beehive if you really needed to improve overall engine cooling on the cheap. But not by itself.
Old 08-22-18, 07:30 AM
  #7  
Waffles - hmmm good

iTrader: (1)
 
t_g_farrell's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Lake Wylie, N.C.
Posts: 8,783
Received 282 Likes on 232 Posts
If you mount it so it hangs outside under the front fender and run the hoses over the nose through cutouts to the beehive that should work and add at least 20HP.

</sarcasm>
Old 08-22-18, 01:47 PM
  #8  
Banned. I got OWNED!!!
Thread Starter
 
rx7junkie170's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: NYC
Posts: 190
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
This is the exact kit I got I want to keep the beehive and just add this
Old 08-22-18, 01:48 PM
  #9  
Banned. I got OWNED!!!
Thread Starter
 
rx7junkie170's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: NYC
Posts: 190
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts


Old 08-22-18, 03:35 PM
  #10  
Out In the Barn


iTrader: (9)
 
KansasCityREPU's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: KC
Posts: 6,047
Received 1,013 Likes on 799 Posts
That pedalistal wont work but you can make the lines work if you get one of the traditional looking oil coolers. I bought this cooler, without the hoses, and made my own. You still need to use a thermostat because this one doesn't have one. I used the Earl one.

For the pedestal, just get one from an early 12A (pre 1984) or 13B (pre 1986 - I'm not sure if a second gen RX-7 pedestal will work).

Those line can be shortened.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Earls-Plumbing-501ERL-Oil-Thermostat/182972192212?epid=1358985825&hash=item2a99fe15d4:g :PJoAAOSwEZdaOSZo:sc:FedExHomeDelivery!64068!US!-1

https://www.rotary-works.com/oil-coo...-13B-RX7FB-KIT

There are other oil coolers on eBay that look like the one I posed for cheaper.

I spent $500 putting mine together. At the end of the day, I should have went with a stock one and just TIG welded -10AN fittings on it.

Last edited by KansasCityREPU; 08-22-18 at 03:40 PM.
Old 08-23-18, 12:34 AM
  #11  
Full Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Ottoman5000's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Simi valley
Posts: 69
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
What if your premixing and deleted the omp? That should save on oil temps
Old 08-23-18, 08:26 AM
  #12  
Out In the Barn


iTrader: (9)
 
KansasCityREPU's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: KC
Posts: 6,047
Received 1,013 Likes on 799 Posts
Originally Posted by Ottoman5000
What if your premixing and deleted the omp? That should save on oil temps
No - The OMP has nothing to do with the oil cooler or it's abilities.
Old 08-23-18, 08:40 AM
  #13  
Out In the Barn


iTrader: (9)
 
KansasCityREPU's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: KC
Posts: 6,047
Received 1,013 Likes on 799 Posts
Since you said you wanted to keep the beehive, you could disconnected the hardline going from the front cover to the beehive. Add one of the new lines to the front cover and run the the new cooler. Then run the other new line from the cooler output to where the hardline you remove to the beehive.

Without a thermostat, your oil will not heat up very fast in cold weather and you will probably notice low oil pressure until it goes heat up. Who knows how long that will take but it could cause lubrication issues by starving the e-shaft of oil.
Old 08-23-18, 11:34 AM
  #14  
Rotary Freak

iTrader: (3)
 
mustanghammer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Parkville, Mo
Posts: 1,525
Received 230 Likes on 147 Posts
Mazdatrix sells 16mm/18mm to -10 mail male fittings that fit the oil ports on the rear iron, front cover and the bungs on the coolers. They use the OE aluminum crush washers. No need for a sandwich adapter unless you want to fit temp and pressure gauges. Also no need for welding
Old 08-24-18, 05:23 PM
  #15  
Senior Member

iTrader: (4)
 
tommyeflight89's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Toronto Canada
Posts: 696
Received 85 Likes on 60 Posts
Not sure why anyone wants to trust their entire engine to something like this.

A good used OEM oil cooler and new lines and fittings from Summit racing will not cost very much money.
Old 08-27-18, 06:44 PM
  #16  
Rotary Freak

iTrader: (1)
 
elwood's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: https://t.me/pump_upp
Posts: 1,540
Received 24 Likes on 19 Posts
If you can't find an SA or FB oil cooler, FC oil coolers are plentiful and will work with a little adaptation.
Old 08-28-18, 10:33 AM
  #17  
Lapping = Fapping

iTrader: (13)
 
Jeff20B's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Near Seattle
Posts: 15,725
Received 70 Likes on 64 Posts
I'd keep the beehive. It works on my 13B with a turbo. I don't see why it won't work for an NA 12A.
Old 11-03-18, 01:55 AM
  #18  
Banned. I got OWNED!!!
Thread Starter
 
rx7junkie170's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: NYC
Posts: 190
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
Ini
Old 11-03-18, 06:18 AM
  #19  
Have RX-7, will restore


iTrader: (91)
 
mazdaverx713b's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Ohio
Posts: 21,703
Received 1,049 Likes on 889 Posts
Use the GSL-SE oil cooler, lines, and pedestal in place of the beehive. You will also need the o-rings that seal the pedestal to the rear iron. Since you have an 85, this is all bolt in. The nuts are already there for the oil cooler mounts. this is the best oil cooler setup you can get for your 85 that's bolt in. Don't waste your time with the aftermarket stuff. Its too small and thin to be effective on a rotary and you will risk damage to your engine. If the car is just a driver and you don't plan on doing any autocrossing or road courses with the car, the beehive oil cooler will be just fine.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
MACH7
1st Generation Specific (1979-1985)
2
01-19-05 06:01 PM
Riccardo
3rd Generation Specific (1993-2002)
1
10-26-04 05:06 AM
WackyRotary
1st Generation Specific (1979-1985)
9
03-06-02 11:52 AM



Quick Reply: Installing a oil cooler kit on 1985 maZda fx7 12a



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:35 AM.