Seeking advice for -6 oil cooler, too many options! Options

[lesorubcheek]

In the early stages of planning a -6 conversion for our 914. The engine will be from a '73 911E. It has Webers (really wish it had the original MFI, but it doesn't) and have new 2.4 S pistons for a small compression bump and original E cams. From most research, looks like it's on the hairy edge of needing a front cooler, oh, and we live in north Florida, so it does get HOT here! So, started trying to plan out what's needed for keeping the engine cool.

Dug out the oil cooler last week and found it has a good bit of corrosion especially at the seal boss.


Also, it's been patched previously in it's lifetime.


Just can't trust using this on a new build, so trying to decide the best option, and looks like there are many.

1. Buy a new factory cooler, do the mod for the inlet line and drive it.
   pros - simple and straight forward.
   cons - new coolers are pricey, not sure of adequate cooling.
2. Use a good used factory cooler, do the mod for inlet, and drive.
   pros - same as 1. Also saves a little money.
   cons - same as 1, but may have less confidence in a used cooler.
3. Buy a new non-factory cooler, do the inlet mod, and drive.
   pros - Also much less expensive than a new factory cooler.
   cons - same as previous. Can these aftermarket coolers be trusted????
4. There's also a 914-6 cooler available new, but it's not factory.
   pros - same as others and this option won't require any mod on the inlet.
   cons - Also pricey and still not sure it'll cool enough.
5. Do one of options 1-4 AND add a front cooler.
   pros - most likely to keep oil cool.
   cons - more work running lines, hoses, cutting and mounting cooler. More cost.
6. Skip the factory cooler, install a bypass, and just run a front cooler. Read more than one build thread here and see this option is popular.
   pros - Bypass with filter seems like a great idea. Oil will be cool.
   cons - Same as 5.

There's many other options too, but these are the one's that have bubbled to the top. I appreciate any input from those who know what works! Just trying to plan and start accumulating all the parts that'll be needed, and deciding on which route to take for proper oil cooling is intimidating to say the least.

Thanks,
Dan