dirtyjerzusmc

if im not tracking the car (well maybe a couple 1/4 mile runs on the weekends) are the oil coolers necessary (i already have a greddy front mount, vented hood, and koyo radiator), thanx for the input. ill keep everyone posted the build/completion should be done around mid june

Section8

iTrader: (6)

Street and occasional drag duty will be fine on the stock oil cooler, and I've actually been advised to just install an oil temp gauge and monitor oil temp on the track first and when I see it getting high then go for a dual oil cooler setup.

To the original thread starter, you mention doing track before, do you have experience setting up coilovers? No offence intended but many people install coilovers but never get them properly setup and the car actually ends up handling worse than stock. If you're relatively new to the track (and to the FD) I'd suggest a good set of spings and some adjustable dampers to start.

Section8

iTrader: (6)

also as stated before, the stock brakes will do fine on street tires, but once you put on some R compound tires, they really start getting a workout.

Fubawu

Ya I have some experience with coilovers, The WRX I put Tanabe's and had them corner weighted. Made a huge difference.
I need to remind everyone that these are light track days 5-6 laps 1/2 cool down out again
type stuff. I am not flogging the car so do you think the stock cooler will be adequate.

7Rocket:
Street power in Mississauga works on the car.

John

Mahjik

iTrader: (1)

I would still look for at least a single cooler upgrade.

Fubawu

I think I am going to with Koyo Rad, Trust SMIC and oil cooler. Budget is tight though!

omochi

fubawu, you'll be fine with a stock oil cooler for lapping days. people here seem to think lapping days are full on RACES.

i've done my fair share of lapping days with a single stock oil cooler and i havent had any probs.. zero. (and that's even with the STOCK RAD)

afgmoto1978

iTrader: (6)

The suspension bushing kit would only be an option if you want the car to be a track only car that you might compete in, like Solo I, hillclimb, etc.

I have a set of stock twin oil coolers and lines if your interested in buying. PM me.

Section8

iTrader: (6)

Another thing I don't think was mentioned yet: Replace your stock swaybar mounts. They are prone to cracking and bending under hard usage over time. Granted your car is a low milage example, but it is still an old car.

David Breslau makes a great set of mounts that are billet aluminum. They are pricey but a much better option than everything else out there.

you can email him at widefoot@comcast.net

silverTRD

iTrader: (38)

gotham has a cost effective dual oil cooler kit

ArcWelder

I can only add that he may be okay with the single oil cooler. Too many variables to say for sure. Depends on ambient temps, track configuration, length of session, driving technique, and so on. Also it depends on your measure of okay. Does okay mean it didn't die or does it mean that oil temps are being monitored and kept below a certain temp?

rynberg

Oh really? Do you have an oil temp gauge to see if you are really fine? Like I said, my car with the stock single cooler was hitting 260F oil temps even on 50F track days. Since those are POST-COOLER temps, I'm guessing the POST-ENGINE temps were approaching 300F. Maybe 300F oil temps are acceptable to you, but they're not for me.

Fubawu

As it stands right now, I am going with a Koyo Rad, Trust SMIC, and Blitz Oil Temp
gauge. If temps are high on this seasons first track day(june 1) my next mod will be a upgraded oil cooler.
John

Mahjik

iTrader: (1)

Very good plan.

Fubawu

Would like to get the oil coolers now but budget will not allow!
John

omochi

unfortunately for me, i dont run an oil temp gauge so i'm oblivious to oil temps for my car- at the moment my measure for trouble on the track are my water temps. however, my reasoning for saying it's okay is that my car can leave the track after a day of abuse, and come back with no probs. i've done about 10 lapping days in the last yr and a half and my car hasnt skipped a beat (well, my engine did blow when i was on the hwy but that was not oil related). perhaps it helps that ambient temps in the pacific northwest arent as high and dry as california, i encounter traffic on the track and just hang back and let it cool for a bit and that i change my oil before & after lapping days that i havent had any bad luck.

with that said, i'll get an oil temp gauge in before my next lapping day and i'll let ya know if it's a scary high temp. (which by general concensus seems the case)

rynberg

Sorry, I realized my response to your post probably came off as hostile and I didn't mean it to be.

The problem with running at high rpm with hot oil is you will start to suffer bearing damage over time. For all you know, you've taken 10-15k miles off the engine life. Then again, maybe you haven't done a bit of harm whatsoever. It's hard to tell, but I modify my car based on reliability, and when I see 260F oil temps, it's time for more cooling.

As a plus, the resultant cooler oil temps have reduced water temps by a few deg.