914 front oil cooler, Is there a way to do it outside the trunk? Options

[martin_UK914]

Hello all...

I have seen many threads on here about front coolers, but they all use the GT system mounting the cooler inside the trunk, and venting underneath.

Just wondering if there is a less 'destructive' method where I can mount just using the valance?

If not, can I carry a spare using the in trunk method?

thanks.

M

[SLITS]

A long long time ago, in a far away Galaxy ... I was a member of a 914/6 race team. We pulled the stock front valence out ... reinforced it with tubing ... cut a hole in it and mounted an oil cooler. Worked well until the driver hit a cone @ Holtville and busted the AN fitting on the return line .... 13 quarts of Castrol "R" on the track.

Anyway ... my next idea/project is to take a Long Tru-Kool 11" X 17"? plate type cooler (it's now mounted in my rear trunk, over the starter with a fan on top) and move it to under the front trunk like the SC A/C condenser. A slight tilt and a shroud to direct air combined with the SC protective front bar & rock screen should give me cooler protection and sufficient cooling for anything.

Just an idea. I don't like cutting holes in the body.

I have also thought of using the Trombone style cooler, but can't see a reasonable way of getting airflow to it. Another thought is that pipe (aluminum or copper), run underneath the body pan with a couple of loops up front, might provide sufficient heat radiation.

[AZ914]

Someone does make a front valance with a rectangular oil cooler support. I've seen it here and there, maybe look at Pelican or AA sites.

[pcar916]

As stated above, the stock front valence doesn't have enough clearance (below the trunk) to mount one without molding a rectangular, forward-facing intake area into it. There is room in front of the GT-flared front wheels to mount on there like the 911's do, and you can get a small one in front of the rear wheels as well in those cars.

In the straight bodied cars I don't know about those wheel well clearances. Mine is an in-trunk solution because I hate the low position of valance-mounted coolers, especially in street cars. Curbs, speed bumps and the occasional high-centered asphalt constantly keep those in danger.

[martin_UK914]

Yep. I kinda agree. Was just checking if it was possible before cutting up the body.

Was measuring up and think I might be able to run a spare tire in trunk too. Anyone done this? I really don't want to end up sticking it in the back.

Cheers,

Martin

[martin_UK914]

Also, I don't need to run a huge cooler methinks, Its only a 4 cylinder 2.2L

[tradisrad]

Here is a link to my oil cooler question and install. Maybe it will help you.

[Dave_Darling]

I have seen a cooler mounted in front of the bumper, roughly where the license plate would go. In fact, the plate served as a cover for the cooler.

It got lots of cool air there, so it was pretty effective. But heaven help you if you hit a rock (on the street) or a cone (at an autoX) or anything tall-ish and solid (at the track).

The owner who installed the cooler thought it was a reasonable trade-off; he was confident in his ability to avoid hitting anything hard enough to puncture or crack the cooler. I wouldn't take that risk in my car.

--DD

[type47]

The car in my avatar has a cooler mounted outside the body in the front but it has an IMSA fiberglas bumper; PO did it that way.

[campbellcj]

I have also heard of mounting the cooler inside a fiberglass 75/76-style bumper out front of the car. I prefer having mine inside the trunk where it's protected, although I suppose if I were in a front-end collision I'd have more to worry about than just dumping some oil...

[SirAndy]

Just wondering if there is a less 'destructive' method where I can mount just using the valance?

Yes there is.

Some of the early GT cars did just that, the cooler is simply mounted under the bumper. If you run a custom "lip", you can even divert any warm air off to the sides and prevent it from getting under the car.

No cutting the trunk and no additional warm air under the car ...
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads/post-179-1240435597.jpg)

[r_towle]

consider "finned tubing" that you would run up each side under the rocker cover...possibly adding louvers to the rocker covers.

The added thermal displacement might make a very short (more thermal tubing) cooler in front possible...then run another tube down the drivers side to return the oil.

If you do the math, that is a huge oil cooler when done properly.
There is room under the rockers for this approach and there would be just a few holes for the oild lines..

Rich

[moparrob]

Since I am doing a 6 conversion I decided I will need an external cooler. I mounted my cooler in the front trunk and used a space saver spare.

Here is the spare mounted:
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i954.photobucket.com-11663-1302380584.1.jpg)

This is the bracket I fabricated:

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i954.photobucket.com-11663-1302380584.2.jpg)

And this is the first mock up I did with the Mazda RX-7 cooler:

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i954.photobucket.com-11663-1302380584.3.jpg)

I'm presently modifying the setup to rubber isolate the cooler and use dual electric thermostatically controlled fans

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i954.photobucket.com-11663-1302380584.4.jpg)


Next will be deciding where to run the oil lines....

[PRS914-6]

[Cairo94507]

So on my last six we used two smaller VW oil coolers and mounted one each behind the the fog light grills and then used SS flex line to run to a thermostat on the passenger side of the car back at the engine. I got plenty of cooling, car never got over 185 degrees (3.0 w/CIS) and I did not have to cut anything up. It did mean no fog lights, but I rarely drove the car at night. I replaced the fog light grills with the chrome blank grills. Looked stock.

[martin_UK914]

I was also maybe thinking of running a double engine lid and mounting the cooler to that perhaps? keep everything at the back.

I had a cooler mounted up under the boot floor a while back but a stone ripped through it on a track day and I minced the engine as a result. very costly. I think inside the front trunk or under the engine lid. anyone seen this done?

[SirAndy]

under the engine lid. anyone seen this done?

Yes, there was a post here a few weeks back showing a nice install of just that.

Depending on the size/HP/torque of your motor, i'd be worried about not getting enough air flow to keep it cool.

Especially in a racing environment ... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif)

[PRS914-6]

I was also maybe thinking of running a double engine lid and mounting the cooler to that perhaps? keep everything at the back.

I like the idea of the short oil lines and ease of installation but I personally would not mount anything on the intake air side of the engine that would generate heat. The engine fan would draw the heat from the cooler only to blow it on the engine. Doesn't make sense to me.....

I realize that 911s put the AC condenser there but I still wouldn't do it

[Elliot Cannon]

This works pretty good for me. Under left side of rear trunk with ducting from the rocker panel. Made a new shroud since I took these pics. Ignore the Home Depot stuff. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

[Elliot Cannon]

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