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Gen I oil temp questions

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Old 10-06-02, 07:51 PM
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Gen I oil temp questions

Wuzzup Y'All ...

Just curious to know what kind of oil temps you guys get under race conditions (road racing, autocross and full-track time trials). This question is really for the Gen I guys, but anyone can feel free to chime in on this.

Also, I just want to get an idea as to which oil coolers you guys are running on the Gen I cars that do that type of racing.

Thanks
Old 10-06-02, 08:42 PM
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At track schools for my 12a streetport i ran a 3 row brass radiator short size, gutted thermostat and bypass plugged. Under Radiator a stock 81 style oil cooler with it's thermostat removed and bypass plugged. 6 quarts Mobil 1 20/50 oil and stock oiling system.

Urethane airdam, stock undertray, no fan or shrowd. Water Wetter and distilled water.

In the hottest 105F weather water topped out at 185 and oil was mabye 190 tops. Lots of people were in awe of that.

You don't want water over 215F cause then you start to slowly dry out the water seals. Oil really shouldn't go higher than that either. Lots of people ARE running higher temps and they say 'no problems', but wait and seehow long their motor LASTS.

-bp-
Old 10-07-02, 05:52 PM
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6 quarts?
are you running a high-capacity pan? or am i missing something?
i'm running the '81 oil cooler as well ... it works pretty good. i'm not disappointed with it. to be totally honest, i'm just being greedy. i want to see if i can get 160-170*F. so i'm trying to figure out the best way i can get the temp down without SERIOUS modifications. so i just wanted to get some feedback on what racers do to keep their engines cool.
Old 10-07-02, 06:40 PM
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The IT7 Car runs 220*F oil and about 185*F water. We also run 120 psi oil pressure.
Old 10-07-02, 07:59 PM
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220!!! Yipe!
i'm assuming that in ITA, you're not allowed to upgrade to the liquid/air oil coolers and you have to run the stock liquid/liquid cooler, right?
Old 10-07-02, 08:37 PM
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We run a second gen oil cooler mounted just forward of the radiator with custom cooling duct work to force air through the cooler.
It gets freaking hot here in the SE div. I'd like to run around 200 but when it gets real hot there is not a lot we can do. It has been as hot as 240+ when its over 100*F out. We back off when it gets over 240.

In IT we are allowed to run any radiator or oil cooler that we want as long as it mounts in the stock location. We also run a 3 row aluminum radiator that is a little bigger than stock.

Mike
Old 10-07-02, 11:04 PM
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stock oil pan takes 5 quarts stock. i just added another quart to top her off. race engine builders say to check your oil with the engine running and dipstick level is onthe F.

with the comp 1qt extra oil pan, bigger oil filter, -10 lines and Rx4 oil cooler mounted in front of the stock tube front crossmember i put 8 quarts in there!

-bp-
Old 10-08-02, 01:16 PM
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I have a Mazda Comp oil cooler. My oil runs 220* in the summer, but I measure the temp in the pan.

Where you take the measurement makes a big difference.
Old 10-08-02, 07:58 PM
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where would be the spot that's most significant? i always figured it would be near the filter, as the oil is ready to go back through the engine. i guess if you're getting 220*F (and the occasional 240*) before going through the cooler, it might not be so bad. not sure, just my own speculation.

anyway, drivefast7, do you have any physical data readily available on the Rx-4 oil cooler? capacity, dimensions, etc ... just curious, not a big deal if you don't.

wow! this is a huge difference from what i heard the Gen III guys talking about (but with aftermarket coolers) they say they were getting it down into the 170s and 180s pretty regularly, and i assume those turbos make their engines run hotter than the 12As and 13Bs in the Gen I cars.

i'm quite curious now. oh ... and, guys, thanks for the input this far i appreciate it.

Last edited by diabolical1; 10-08-02 at 08:17 PM.
Old 10-08-02, 08:15 PM
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oops! double post ...
Old 10-09-02, 09:04 AM
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Originally posted by diabolical1
where would be the spot that's most significant? i always figured it would be near the filter, as the oil is ready to go back through the engine. i guess if you're getting 220*F (and the occasional 240*) before going through the cooler, it might not be so bad. not sure, just my own speculation.
Obviously, the oil is cooler when it returns to the engine than when it leaves from the engine. I measure in the pan because that's the hottest it gets while it's in the motor. I want to know my worst case scenario. If your oil is 200* going into the engine, it's probably 220* in the pan.


wow! this is a huge difference from what i heard the Gen III guys talking about (but with aftermarket coolers) they say they were getting it down into the 170s and 180s pretty regularly, and i assume those turbos make their engines run hotter than the 12As and 13Bs in the Gen I cars.
It depends on what else they're doing to/with their cars. My car sees constant 7,000-9,000 RPM for 40 minute bumper to bumper races in 100* ambient heat. I have no fans on the car and my timing is advanced WAY beyond what any sane person would do to a car that they rely on to get to work.

By the way, 220*-240* is no problem if you're using a quality synthetic oil and changing it regularly (I change mine every few races.)
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