3rd Generation Specific (1993-2002) 1993-2002 Discussion including performance modifications and Technical Support Sections.
Sponsored by:

Dual Oil Coolers (series or parallel)

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 15, 2007 | 09:17 AM
  #1  
KNONFS's Avatar
Thread Starter
B O R I C U A
Tenured Member: 20 Years
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 5,482
Likes: 36
From: VA
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?
Reply
Old May 15, 2007 | 11:06 AM
  #2  
rynberg's Avatar
Lives on the Forum
Tenured Member: 20 Years
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 14,716
Likes: 10
From: San Lorenzo, California
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.
Reply
Old May 15, 2007 | 11:22 AM
  #3  
7racer's Avatar
Eats, Sleeps, Dreams Rotary
Tenured Member 15 Years
 
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,736
Likes: 10
From: Dallas, Texas
I think Crispy? Or someone did it to there race car. I remember a thread about it in the racetech subforum.
Reply
Old May 15, 2007 | 01:18 PM
  #4  
KNONFS's Avatar
Thread Starter
B O R I C U A
Tenured Member: 20 Years
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 5,482
Likes: 36
From: VA
Originally Posted by rynberg
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.
THANK YOU!

I ended up going with a SERIES setup, just because is far cheaper than doing a parallel setup.
Reply
Old May 15, 2007 | 01:19 PM
  #5  
KNONFS's Avatar
Thread Starter
B O R I C U A
Tenured Member: 20 Years
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 5,482
Likes: 36
From: VA
Originally Posted by 7racer
I think Crispy? Or someone did it to there race car. I remember a thread about it in the racetech subforum.

Thanks for the info.
Reply
Old May 15, 2007 | 08:36 PM
  #6  
Rx7aholic's Avatar
Rotary Freak
Tenured Member: 25 Years
Liked
iTrader: (24)
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,957
Likes: 5
From: Morris Plains, NJ USA
I planning to parallel imo I think it's better for cooling.
Khris
Reply
Old May 15, 2007 | 10:52 PM
  #7  
CMonakar's Avatar
rebreaking things
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 866
Likes: 0
From: Manhattan
Originally Posted by Rx7aholic
I planning to parallel imo I think it's better for cooling.
Khris
Why do you think that?

The longer the heat exchanger the more temp it can transfer with all other things being equal.
Reply
Old May 16, 2007 | 12:55 AM
  #8  
Monkman33's Avatar
Goodfalla Engine Complete
Tenured Member: 20 Years
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (28)
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 3,243
Likes: 42
From: Kennewick, Washington
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.
Reply
Old May 16, 2007 | 06:27 AM
  #9  
KNONFS's Avatar
Thread Starter
B O R I C U A
Tenured Member: 20 Years
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 5,482
Likes: 36
From: VA
Originally Posted by Rx7aholic
I planning to parallel imo I think it's better for cooling.
Khris

If the series setup doesn't yield good results, I might go with the parallel setup; however I seriously doubt that it will come down to that.
Reply
Old May 16, 2007 | 06:27 AM
  #10  
KNONFS's Avatar
Thread Starter
B O R I C U A
Tenured Member: 20 Years
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 5,482
Likes: 36
From: VA
Originally Posted by Monkman33
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
Reply
Old May 17, 2007 | 10:41 AM
  #11  
TitaniumTT's Avatar
Banned. I got OWNED!!!
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,970
Likes: 1
From: Connecticut
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.
Reply
Old May 17, 2007 | 07:54 PM
  #12  
John Magnuson's Avatar
Rotary Enthusiast
Tenured Member 10 Years
 
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,147
Likes: 1
From: San Diego, CA
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.
Reply
Old May 18, 2007 | 10:58 AM
  #13  
KNONFS's Avatar
Thread Starter
B O R I C U A
Tenured Member: 20 Years
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 5,482
Likes: 36
From: VA
Originally Posted by TitaniumTT
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.
Correct, and a series setup is waaaaaay cheaper; hopefully I wil be abel to provide some feedback by tomorrow night
Reply
Old May 18, 2007 | 10:58 AM
  #14  
KNONFS's Avatar
Thread Starter
B O R I C U A
Tenured Member: 20 Years
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 5,482
Likes: 36
From: VA
Originally Posted by John Magnuson
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.

Cool, thanks for the feedback!
Reply
Old May 18, 2007 | 11:10 AM
  #15  
TitaniumTT's Avatar
Banned. I got OWNED!!!
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,970
Likes: 1
From: Connecticut
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
Reply
Old May 18, 2007 | 12:51 PM
  #16  
slo's Avatar
slo
registered user
Tenured Member 15 Years
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,469
Likes: 0
From: San Diego
twin stock fc oil coolers works really really good.


Originally Posted by TitaniumTT
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
Reply
Old May 18, 2007 | 01:26 PM
  #17  
KNONFS's Avatar
Thread Starter
B O R I C U A
Tenured Member: 20 Years
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 5,482
Likes: 36
From: VA
Originally Posted by TitaniumTT
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

I will post pics and feedback

However I went with the B&M coolers, two 11 X 11 X 1.5 (20 something rows) both for almost the price of one mocal!
Reply
Old May 18, 2007 | 01:30 PM
  #18  
KNONFS's Avatar
Thread Starter
B O R I C U A
Tenured Member: 20 Years
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 5,482
Likes: 36
From: VA
Originally Posted by slo
twin stock fc oil coolers works really really good.

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.
Reply
Old May 18, 2007 | 03:36 PM
  #19  
slo's Avatar
slo
registered user
Tenured Member 15 Years
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,469
Likes: 0
From: San Diego
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.



Originally Posted by KNONFS
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.
Reply
Old May 18, 2007 | 03:40 PM
  #20  
KNONFS's Avatar
Thread Starter
B O R I C U A
Tenured Member: 20 Years
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 5,482
Likes: 36
From: VA
Originally Posted by slo
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.

Pics please
Reply
Old May 18, 2007 | 03:43 PM
  #21  
bcool's Avatar
Rest In Peace Dave
Tenured Member 15 Years
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,347
Likes: 1
From: Idaho
Run them in Parallel. Thats how i have them setup on my 20B. I've heard with series that you get some pretty mean pressure drops.
Reply
Old May 18, 2007 | 05:15 PM
  #22  
TitaniumTT's Avatar
Banned. I got OWNED!!!
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,970
Likes: 1
From: Connecticut
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
Reply
Old May 18, 2007 | 06:21 PM
  #23  
KNONFS's Avatar
Thread Starter
B O R I C U A
Tenured Member: 20 Years
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 5,482
Likes: 36
From: VA
Originally Posted by bcool
Run them in Parallel. Thats how i have them setup on my 20B. I've heard with series that you get some pretty mean pressure drops.
That's what I've heard, but how bad can it really be? Stock R2(?) had a dual oil cooler setup in series, and 99% of the dual oil cooler setup for the FDs are in a series setup.

On any case, I have an oil temp\pressure gauge; and will provide feedback as soon as I get them installed (hopefully tomorrow )
Reply
Old May 18, 2007 | 07:38 PM
  #24  
rynberg's Avatar
Lives on the Forum
Tenured Member: 20 Years
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 14,716
Likes: 10
From: San Lorenzo, California
Originally Posted by bcool
Run them in Parallel. Thats how i have them setup on my 20B. I've heard with series that you get some pretty mean pressure drops.
Massively INCORRECT, as I stated previously in this thread.
Reply
Old May 18, 2007 | 08:31 PM
  #25  
CantGoStraight's Avatar
What's your point ?
Tenured Member 10 Years
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3,573
Likes: 0
From: Gainesville, Fla.
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. ?
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:06 PM.