my front mounted oil cooler, a little different Options

[rfuerst911sc]

As I'm nearing the point of turning the key after 3 years of work I thought I would share what I did for a front oil cooler. First off it's a 75 chassis that has a 911 3.0 installed. Living in Florida I knew a oil cooler was a must. After looking at what was done in the past by others I decided to go a different route. My criteria was I wanted to be able to use the front trunk as a trunk. This will be a street,AX and DE machine. So based on that I went about laying this out in my head. Once I had a basic plan I started buying parts. First off was a MB oil cooler from a diesel. It's made by Behr and well built. I then came up with my mount which basically is two 1/4-20 by 6 inch long bolts welded to the tub facing forward. The cooler has two hoops that slide over the bolts. I made some stand offs to keep the cooler spaced away from the tub for good air flow. I used -12AN hose to go from the cooler to the rear mounted Mocal thermostat. I wanted to keep the length of the hoses to a minimum so I ran them straight back. Under the tub just off center are two channels in the tub. I glued tie down plates to the tub and zip tied the lines tight to the floor. In the rear is the normal routing to engine,thermostat and oil tank. Yes I know my setup is more vunerable to a front end crash or doing something stupid but 911's have had front mounted coolers for a long time mounted up front and low so it can be done. I will be making some stand off blocks in the trunk just high enough to have a front mounted full size spare and then the carpeted cover. Will barely be noticeable to the common eye. I know this isn't for everyone but I'd thought I'd share now that I have everything installed. I am now fabricating a stock valance to have a cutout/snout around the cooler similiar to a early 911 RS valance. Hopefully the pics will show it off. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[rfuerst911sc]

Thanks everyone for the feedback it is appreciated. You've given me a few ideas about the clamp mounts that I may incorporate. Just a few things.
1. This is not a race car, as I stated in my original post it is street , AX and DE.
2. Yes I may incorporate a chin bar to be safe. However the bottom of the cooler is over 6 1/2 inches off the pavement. Yes I could hit a street curb but it's going to hit the suspension pieces also and I've never had that happen in any car I've driven.
3. I don't accept that just because the oil lines are exposed that they are an accident waiting to happen. The oil lines on almost every 911 since 1970 has oil lines exposed on the outside of the passenger side rocker. Yes they are hard bronze lines but they are right in line with debris flying off the front right tire.
4. As stated Porsche did install a front cooler just like I have on the 914 GT but yes they also mounted them in the trunk. So that's a push ?
5. My 911SC is set to Euro height and I have a AC belly condensor that is almost the full width of the car mounted directly under the seats. It is exactly 4 inches off the pavement. I've been running this car with this condensor at this height for aprox. 3 years and have never even scraped it on anything. That includes AX and DE.

Just saying I did my homework and for me I have a good solution based on my experiences with my 911 and other Porsches. It doesn't mean I'm right and time will tell if I am. It's all good. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[jhadler]

Thanks everyone for the feedback it is appreciated. You've given me a few ideas about the clamp mounts that I may incorporate. Just a few things.
1. This is not a race car, as I stated in my original post it is street , AX and DE.

Doesn't matter, track is track. And off-track excursions can happen anytime you're on a track. And have seen how much damage a cone can inflict at 50 mph? I have... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

2. Yes I may incorporate a chin bar to be safe. However the bottom of the cooler is over 6 1/2 inches off the pavement. Yes I could hit a street curb but it's going to hit the suspension pieces also and I've never had that happen in any car I've driven.

A cone stands taller, and going off-track at speed can encounter all manner of low lying obstacles.

-Josh2