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Difference in Mocal & Earls oil cooler

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Old Feb 10, 2009 | 02:52 PM
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Question Difference in Mocal & Earls oil cooler

Wat up guys! I got a question and I want to see if anyone can help me out. Ok the question is whats the difference in Mocal and Earls oil cooler? They both seam to state the same info on how the entire oil cooler is made from aluminum alloy braised into a one-piece unit. Each cooler is then tested by immersion to a pressure of 170 psi. Random coolers are put through even more exhaustive testing to ensure stability under all conditions. Does any one know the difference in them or is one better than the other? Has any one use both of them, if yes which one worked out better for you?

Thanks
Jorge
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Old Feb 10, 2009 | 05:28 PM
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Just wanted to suscribe. I am thinking about putting together a kit to replace my stock dual coolers, and have been wondering the same thing.
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Old Feb 10, 2009 | 05:54 PM
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What about setrab cores?

http://www.setrabusa.com/oilcoolers.htm
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Old Feb 10, 2009 | 06:57 PM
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Originally Posted by existanzrx7
Wat up guys! I got a question and I want to see if anyone can help me out. Ok the question is whats the difference in Mocal and Earls oil cooler? They both seam to state the same info on how the entire oil cooler is made from aluminum alloy braised into a one-piece unit. Each cooler is then tested by immersion to a pressure of 170 psi. Random coolers are put through even more exhaustive testing to ensure stability under all conditions. Does any one know the difference in them or is one better than the other? Has any one use both of them, if yes which one worked out better for you?

Thanks
Jorge
Performance wise, there's not much difference. Years ago, you had to purchase the AN fittings separately for the Earl coolers which made them more expensive. I think you can get the fittings with the coolers now which doesn't make the price difference that great.
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Old Feb 10, 2009 | 07:12 PM
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Yes, the Earls now come with the fittings. I purchased a set last year...
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Old Feb 17, 2009 | 02:28 PM
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I have at least one all of these coolers and can tell you that there are few differences in their construction. They are all quality products which I would expect to have very similar heat rejection characteristics for a given size. The fluidyne budget oriented "street" product is also very good and worthy of consideration, especially where airflow is limited. Other than that, I would simply go with the best fit, best deal or what's readily available.

That being said, I personally like the Setrab cores because I can put whatever fittings on them I want using their 22mm base thread. I made some custom bango fittings for the cooler on my FD to lower its profile, which has been very effective.
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Old Feb 17, 2009 | 08:43 PM
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I vote setrab, mocal a close 2nd. It's tough to go wrong with most good brands (Earls, Mocal, Setrab,etc)

Setrab has faired well in the GTR community hold down the oil temps of 800 hp cars all day long.

Not to mention, OEM ferrari and other very high end automobiles.
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Old Feb 17, 2009 | 10:12 PM
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I see that both Mocal and Earls oil coolers are tested by immersion to a pressure of 170 psi and some are tested with up to 350 psi.

In the other hand I see the Setrab oil coolers are designed for maximum working pressure to 150 psi.

How much psi will the Fd build when its really getting pushed? Are the Setrab enough
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Old Feb 17, 2009 | 10:21 PM
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If it's enough for an F40 and a Koeniggsegg, i think it's enough for your FD.
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Old Feb 18, 2009 | 12:04 AM
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^ You can't think of it that way. The FD oil system generates a fair amount of oil pressure. More than most cars out there.
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Old Feb 18, 2009 | 12:18 AM
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What are the average oil pressures you guys see, during hard use?
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Old Feb 18, 2009 | 02:16 AM
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Wow. maximum working pressure of 150psi means that setrab has tested them to at least 50% over that. Besides, if you are running over 130 psi, you have other issues to worry about.

And i definitely will be buying setrab cores over the mocals or earls.
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Old Feb 18, 2009 | 10:58 AM
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Both are junk.

The only one worth buying is a Setrab. This is after cracking the inlet fitting welds on atleast 5 mocal or earls
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Old Feb 18, 2009 | 12:33 PM
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Thanks guys I guess Setrab it is.
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Old Feb 18, 2009 | 01:17 PM
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Local Earl's distributor over here wouldn't offer a warranty on any cooler used on a rotary....this was back in the day when uprated 110psi oil pressure pumps were the normal upgrade....thinking that's standard FD fitment now. You'd want to be careful with any aftermarket cooler (more so in cold temps?), especially on a street car imo.
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Old Feb 18, 2009 | 04:28 PM
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what size cores are u guys running?
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Old Feb 18, 2009 | 04:34 PM
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Making my own, but have had good luck with Setrab and really shitty luck with Mocal.

11 X 10 X 2.25 bar & Plate X-Cores if your wondering.
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Old Feb 18, 2009 | 04:54 PM
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You could get a complete oil cooler kit with Setrab coolers from me
https://www.rx7club.com/fdnewbie-imports-172/gb-fdnewbie-imports-intransigent-design-single-dual-oil-cooler-kits-737946/

-Dan
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Old Feb 19, 2009 | 12:44 AM
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I feel fairly confident that it can be built using setrab cores that are larger... for less than $1000

I am currently working on doing so.
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Old Feb 19, 2009 | 01:56 AM
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+1 for the sakebomb kit. Considering most people sell kits with smaller cores, and with less quality than the 2 x 25 row setrab kit, it's not a bad deal.
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Old Feb 19, 2009 | 02:16 AM
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So you guys having trouble with Mocal coolers:

Are you using a backing wrench when tightening the fittings?

Without a wrench on the cooler fitting, you will probably crack the cooler.
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