The filter is bypassed after a certain pressure drop is reached across the filter. In this way, your oil pressure stays up (supposing nothing else is modified/malfunctioning) at an adequate level to support the system.

 

another update.

well i bit the bullet and ordered a Earls thermostat from summit. its requires four -10 AN fittings (making it a little bit on the pricy side, approx 150$. not to mention the 4 extra AN hose fittings i need to plumb it in.) and has to weigh at least 5 lbs. hopefully the weight is a sign of quality. They say it starts opening at 160f and is fully opened by 180f. it also has to 1/8npt fittings for sensors to monitor oil pressure and oil temp. i should now be able to get my readings before the cooler.

 

I didn't see this mentioned, maybe I just missed it.

Without a t-stat it could take a really long time to get oil temps up to operating pressure during cool weather.

During the first session on track last October, 50f temps, it took several laps to get oil temps up to operating temps (180f) - that was with a t-stat. Without would have taken quite a bit longer.

 

^^ yeah that point was basically covered. i just let the temps come up to operable levels before driving it. start it and let it idle till its ready. my main concern was whether or not they would stay in safe operating range, how cool is too cool? i havent seen anything under 150f so far.

 

As long as you get some heat in the engine before you run it hard, a oil thermostat is just something else to go wrong, especially if it sticks closed. Same reason I don't run a water thermostat in my race cars. One less thing to go wrong.

 

just a heads up guys, vw bug guys and sand rail guys- we use noil t stats as well with our huge oil coolers on the air cooled engines they are like 55$ and they are -10 fittings they are made really well. check em out thats what i have on my 93 FD and thats what i throw in with my dual oil cooler kits i am going to sell comming up

 

This is my opinion on the subject aswell. but can u cool the oil to much while highway cruising causing any ill effects when getting back on the throttle?

 

no you cant the thermostat does just what your cooling thermostat does it opens when it needs to cool and closes when it needs to warm its like a 180 or 200 thermostat inside not too sure. but think of it this way why do you have a thermostat in your cooling system???? well same goes for oil systems

 

^^i know what a thermostat does. this isnt the new member section. did u even read the whole thread?

 

just saying.. leave it or take it or dont ask at all. and the last i checked your not going to race it on a track so it wont be going a continuous speed liek a track car. and yea i worded my reply wrong up above lol my bad

 

the stock TII oil thermostat opens at 140f according to the fsm so i don't see how 150f is to cool?