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Posted by: IronHillRestorations Sep 21 2018, 07:25 AM

25 years ago when I put a 3.0 SC engine in my 914, I understood the need for additional oil cooling, but I didn’t want to cut up my frunk, or run 26 feet of oil lines. My car was a street hot rod, and really didn’t plan on doing track events, so I didn’t need the maximum possible oil cooling.

My solution back then was to put a 25 row Mocal cooler with a fan sandwiched on it in front of the right rear wheel, on the opposite side of the car from the oil tank. This worked out well, and neither I or the current owner has seen oil temps out of range.

I have another street hod rod in the works and since the right rear quarter panel was removed for rust repair, I decided to revisit this alternate oil cooler location.

After measuring, mocking up, and some head scratching I figured a 34 row 234 matrix Mocal cooler would fit. Here’s what I’ve come up with.



To test fit a Spal puller fan, I taped it to the cooler.



Two holes drilled for the front bracket and one weld nut for the rear bracket. 3 M8 cap screws are more than enough to secure the cooler

Posted by: IronHillRestorations Sep 21 2018, 07:28 AM

This is a good fit for this location


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Posted by: db9146 Sep 21 2018, 07:40 AM

Looks like a nice solution, Perry!

Posted by: IronHillRestorations Sep 21 2018, 07:49 AM

I tested the fit with the fender to make sure there wasn’t any interference, and that the cooler could be installed and removed when the quarter panel was reinstalled


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Posted by: IronHillRestorations Sep 21 2018, 07:55 AM

I’m the engine compartment. I’ll make a template for the front mounting holes for any future installs and to share with anyone else who would like this option.

I’ll make a stone shield after it’s all plumbed in, and I’ll post more pics when it’s completed


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Posted by: TravisNeff Sep 21 2018, 08:38 AM

That looks like a great solution Perry, thanks for sharing that.

Posted by: DRPHIL914 Sep 21 2018, 08:51 AM

Perry,

I have the same size cooler and the same fan on mine, but we put it up under the right side rear trunk, just above the HE on that side- I didn't really think at the time it would fit bac kin that wheel well area, but that is a nice solution,- might think about relocating it at a later date, right now it does seem to work very good where it is.

Posted by: IronHillRestorations Sep 21 2018, 08:55 AM

I’ve done that before too, and it makes for an easier install. For your 2.0 you’ll be fine. This car is getting a 230hp engine and I wanted to get the cooler away from the exhaust heat

Posted by: burton73 Sep 21 2018, 09:32 AM

Thank you, this looks like a great spot for this.


Bob B

Posted by: whitetwinturbo Sep 21 2018, 11:21 AM

Posted by: jim912928 Sep 21 2018, 11:55 AM

Nice....I need something for my 3.2 conversion. Mine creeps up somewhere between 220-240 on hot days in the summer...so I don't drive it very long. Didn't want to do all the plumbing and cutting going up front. Keep the info coming.

Posted by: mepstein Sep 21 2018, 12:12 PM

It’s actually very easy to put up front and except for some 1” holes for the lines, no cutting involved.

Posted by: IronHillRestorations Sep 21 2018, 01:04 PM

You still loose 1/3 or more of the front trunk

Posted by: jim912928 Sep 21 2018, 03:55 PM

I have a 75 that still has the big bumpers, so I didn't really want to cut the holes for the lines, backdate bumpers, cut valance and bumper (or leave big bumpers and cut valence/modify more), cut trunk, move spare location (probably put in an inflatable..etc. This looks easier and cleaner for something I could do pretty easy.

Posted by: Steve Sep 21 2018, 05:27 PM

Curious what kind of air flow you will get in the fender? I have seen people put a duct in the rocker to force air into that area.

Posted by: IronHillRestorations Sep 21 2018, 07:13 PM

I'm considering making custom rockers and ducting up to that area, but we may hold off and see how it does. That cooler is about 1/3 larger in size and capacity than the kit BAT makes to replace a 911 front fender cooler.

The engine will be totally rebuilt by a master engine builder, and a new tight engine will always run cooler than an older engine with more blow by.

Posted by: pete000 Sep 21 2018, 09:49 PM

Nice install !

Posted by: rgalla9146 Sep 21 2018, 10:14 PM

Hey Perry
Nice installation.
Great use of overlooked space.
I'm planning on putting an AC condenser there.
I'll provide airlflow by adding a fan and louvers or some form of opening in the fender.

Posted by: Spoke Sep 22 2018, 06:33 AM

It can't be any worse than the 911 front fender location. There's only a 1 inch x 6 inch opening under the bumper and the headlight bucket is so close to the top of the cooler that a fan will not fit in front of the top of the cooler.

The one thing it does have going for it is that the entering cool air is separated from the exiting hot air with the shroud and foam gasket. Not sure in the 914 rear wheel well how the hot air exiting the cooler is kept from being sucked back in as cool air.




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Posted by: 914forme Sep 22 2018, 07:05 AM

Several have done this, okay several being at least 5 I can count, but it is a great solution if it meets your needs.

From what I see the thing that makes the 911 work, was separation of spaces, and a high low pressure zone.

If you can achieve the same thing than that would be great.

CB performance used to market what the called a 550 oil cooler kit. It took two VW oil coolers and mounted them up front. On the 550 kits they mounted them right behind the brake cooling inlets.

A nice front fender oil cooler might be doable.