Another External Oil Cooler Question, What are your thoughts on this setup? Options

[Craigers17]

Recently, I've been trying to get my '74 2.0 sorted out, and it's running relatively well. One of the previous PO's modified the car to include an external oil cooler mounted right behind the front grommet holes. It's a fairly large cooler and everything is plumbed and working. As a matter of fact, if my center console oil temp gauge is correct, and it APPEARS to be working properly, it is keeping the temps right around mid gauge(no where near red) after some fairly spirited driving for around 25 minutes. I actually LIKE the cooler location here, and would prefer to keep it...based mainly, so far, on cooling ability.

The current problem is, whoever installed the front cooler made no provision for venting the hot air. I posted a similar post a few months back, but now that I have the car running/driving, I have spent more time looking at various oil cooler setups... mainly thru this thread:

http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=56102

All that said, I kind of like the simplicity of this one in particular. And the poster seems to have great results, even autocossing. I was thinking maybe only 2 - 2.5" Hole Saw openings, and then fashioning a fiberglass "Shroud" kind of like a poor man's Patrick Motorsports GT Shroud. I realize I could go with a louvered floor pan setup, but then I would have to modify the floor pan.

So I wonder what your thoughts are on this setup? (Specifically, the space to which this is venting, which looks like where the steering rack assembly is. As well as any other feedback)

The only difference between this one and mine would be that my cooler is at the front and his is at the back. Air Flow wise, I would think it would have the same results.

I have copied the text below from the user's original post:

"My HUGE cooler sits in front of three large exit holes.
I use the front grommet holes as my inlets.

So, I have fresh air in and hot air out.

On a track car, this has to be done. ( unless you like short sessions ) biggrin.gif


KT"

[Mark Henry]

It's an early RX7 cooler, about the exact same size as a factory 914GT cooler, so close many 914 guys have used this cooler.
Surprise there's thermostat in there, so you system is using the RX7 coolers thermostat.
The /6 guys usually cut off the connection end and weld a plate on for bigger AN fittings for the /6. They would also eliminate the cooler thermostat.

I would make better mounts but keep it where it is. If you don't want to cut holes in the trunk floor you could dig out the factory spot welding access plugs, you could then do a shallow GT inspired cover. I bet you could fit a 4.5" bug rim with a 125/15 temporary spare in the leftover hollow if you did the ducting right.

[Craigers17]

It's an early RX7 cooler, about the exact same size as a factory 914GT cooler, so close many 914 guys have used this cooler.
Surprise there's thermostat in there, so you system is using the RX7 coolers thermostat.
The /6 guys usually cut off the connection end and weld a plate on for bigger AN fittings for the /6. They would also eliminate the cooler thermostat.

I would make better mounts but keep it where it is. If you don't want to cut holes in the trunk floor you could dig out the factory spot welding access plugs, you could then do a shallow GT inspired cover. I bet you could fit a 4.5" bug rim with a 125/15 temporary spare in the leftover hollow if you did the ducting right.

Mark,

I appreciate your info and suggestions. I really like the idea of taking out the access plugs so I don't have to drill/cut any more holes. I'll give this a shot, and start mocking up the cover. I'll post some pics when I make some progress. Thanks again!
-Craig

[mepstein]

It's an early RX7 cooler, about the exact same size as a factory 914GT cooler, so close many 914 guys have used this cooler.
Surprise there's thermostat in there, so you system is using the RX7 coolers thermostat.
The /6 guys usually cut off the connection end and weld a plate on for bigger AN fittings for the /6. They would also eliminate the cooler thermostat.

I would make better mounts but keep it where it is. If you don't want to cut holes in the trunk floor you could dig out the factory spot welding access plugs, you could then do a shallow GT inspired cover. I bet you could fit a 4.5" bug rim with a 125/15 temporary spare in the leftover hollow if you did the ducting right.

Mark,

I appreciate your info and suggestions. I really like the idea of taking out the access plugs so I don't have to drill/cut any more holes. I'll give this a shot, and start mocking up the cover. I'll post some pics when I make some progress. Thanks again!
-Craig

I took out the acces plugs on mine. I plan to cover with some metal mesh. It seems like a good way to exit the air without cutting the car. The plugs can always be seam sealed back in.

[Mark Henry]

It's an early RX7 cooler, about the exact same size as a factory 914GT cooler, so close many 914 guys have used this cooler.
Surprise there's thermostat in there, so you system is using the RX7 coolers thermostat.
The /6 guys usually cut off the connection end and weld a plate on for bigger AN fittings for the /6. They would also eliminate the cooler thermostat.

I would make better mounts but keep it where it is. If you don't want to cut holes in the trunk floor you could dig out the factory spot welding access plugs, you could then do a shallow GT inspired cover. I bet you could fit a 4.5" bug rim with a 125/15 temporary spare in the leftover hollow if you did the ducting right.

Mark,

I appreciate your info and suggestions. I really like the idea of taking out the access plugs so I don't have to drill/cut any more holes. I'll give this a shot, and start mocking up the cover. I'll post some pics when I make some progress. Thanks again!
-Craig

I took out the acces plugs on mine. I plan to cover with some metal mesh. It seems like a good way to exit the air without cutting the car. The plugs can always be seam sealed back in.

The access plugs was your idea that I stole. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/bootyshake.gif)