 RX7 oil coolers, do they work? |
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| DanT |
  Jan 5 2006, 07:46 PM
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#1
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Going back to the Dark Side!  Group: Members Posts: 4,300 Joined: 4-October 04 From: Auburn, CA Member No.: 2,880 Region Association: None  |
Any one used one on their car and does it work efficiently...especially for a track car? (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/rolleyes.gif)
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| SirAndy |
Jan 5 2006, 08:22 PM
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#2
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Resident German Group: Admin Posts: 41,614 Joined: 21-January 03 From: Oakland, Kalifornia Member No.: 179 Region Association: Northern California |
personally, no. but i have seen a few. they seem to work fine ... (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/wink.gif) Andy |
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| john rogers |
Jan 5 2006, 08:42 PM
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#3
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 1,525 Joined: 4-March 03 From: Chula Vista CA Member No.: 391 |
I use an Earl's for the front engine oil cooler and one of Jim patrick's Setrab or whatever brand it is for my transmission. I felt my race engine was worth more than a used (possibly ?) from a Mazada.
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| SirAndy |
Jan 5 2006, 08:56 PM
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#4
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Resident German Group: Admin Posts: 41,614 Joined: 21-January 03 From: Oakland, Kalifornia Member No.: 179 Region Association: Northern California |
i don't really get that point ... i wasn't talking about "used" parts. i have helped brad installing (brand new out of the box) RX7 coolers in 914 race cars and all of them have worked well so far. the quality was as good as any other brand product. now, they may not be the right size/shape/form/width for your car but they certainly didn't seem to be of "inferior" quality ... (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/cool.gif) Andy |
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| flesburg |
Jan 5 2006, 08:59 PM
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#5
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 506 Joined: 22-November 04 From: Pontiac, IL Member No.: 3,162 |
We used one as a front cooler with a T4 engine, but I took it to a shop and had it cleaned and leak tested. By the time I did all of that, I spent half the money I would have for a new Mocal oil cooler, and when we put in the six, I changed the lines and put in a new cooler. I, too, thought, why risk a $6K + engine with an old used cooler. I have a 25 row cooler (about 15" square), and very seldom go much over 190 after and hour of DE driving.
If you are putting in an expensive new engine, I'd recommend a new cooler. If it is an older unrebuilt T4 engine, go for it. Just my thoughts. |
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| TimT |
Jan 5 2006, 09:00 PM
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#6
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retired Group: Members Posts: 4,033 Joined: 18-February 03 From: Wantagh, NY Member No.: 313 |
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/agree.gif) Also the Mazda coolers have tiny inlets/outlets, that you should change... 914/911 engines are oil/air cooled (or is that air/oil/) RX7 engines are water/air/oil cooled Drop some coin and get a proper oil cooler.. Fluidyne, Mocal, Setrab etc.. |
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| Mueller |
Jan 5 2006, 10:31 PM
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#7
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914 Freak! Group: Members Posts: 17,146 Joined: 4-January 03 From: Antioch, CA Member No.: 87 Region Association: None 
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I too thought "used" once I saw the post....normally someone buys a Mocal or other main brand new cooler when purchasing a brand new cooler. If you have to cut and modify a new RX-7 cooler for the fittings, why buy a new one when there are better or more practical solutions???..... |
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| Dead Air |
Jan 5 2006, 10:36 PM
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#8
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 1,268 Joined: 9-May 04 From: Buffalo, NY Member No.: 2,042 |
[QUOTE] I never had any trouble and I know that mine's used. What is it "pick on Mazda" night? Attached image(s) 
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| Mueller |
Jan 5 2006, 10:47 PM
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#9
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914 Freak! Group: Members Posts: 17,146 Joined: 4-January 03 From: Antioch, CA Member No.: 87 Region Association: None
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Think about your statement (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/wacko.gif) Your "used" cooler is currently installed on a running car..."most" used coolers are going to be found at a wreckers from a wrecked car with an unknown history or one from a car that had a blown engine....... the only reason that I can think that the RX-7 coolers started to be used for P-car applications is due to people looking for a cheap(er) alternative to a brand new coolers...same for using the RX-7 turbo brake calipers....cheaper than new (not by much now, I paid $50 each for my RX-7 calipers and now you can buy brand new and better Wilwood calipers for $100 each) |
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| Aaron Cox |
Jan 5 2006, 10:49 PM
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#10
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Professional Lawn Dart Group: Retired Admin Posts: 24,541 Joined: 1-February 03 From: OC Member No.: 219 Region Association: Southern California |
if you have to cut and weld and ultrasonically clean.. JUST to get in the nieghborhood of a new cooler.....
how much are you actually saving? AA |
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| brant |
Jan 5 2006, 11:03 PM
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#11
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914 Wizard Group: Members Posts: 11,618 Joined: 30-December 02 From: Colorado Member No.: 47 Region Association: Rocky Mountains 
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Dan,
usually the NEW mazda coolers that are used are not really RX-7 coolers. they are a mazda speed product that is the correct size for AN-10 or AN-12 I think John/otto's runs a lot of these and this apparently a very good cooler. Regarding the RX-7 actual cooler. most of the time the discussion about these is for a Used cooler it is probably a tiny bit safer than your average used cooler since a rotory motor has less moving parts than a piston motor, and when a rotary motor "blows up" it is usually just loosing its apex seals and not contaminating the oil as much as when a piston motor blows up. However.... the rx-7 cooler have a built in thermostat and the very small and restrictive inlets and outlets. If you were to actually buy an RX-7 cooler you would need to have the end cut off from it. The thermostat gutted, and new correct size fitting tig'd on. After all of that it would be smart to then have it cleaned ultrasonically unless you knew and very much trusted the person performing the work. at that point your used cooler is not much cheaper than a new cooler that is of the correct size to start with. and most people figure for another 30bucks that they will take the new cooler with no risk of damaging their motor. so yes the rx-7 cooler can work but it is not optimum. brant |
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| Dead Air |
Jan 5 2006, 11:17 PM
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#12
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 1,268 Joined: 9-May 04 From: Buffalo, NY Member No.: 2,042 |
[QUOTE] Mike, I know it's been a busy week for you but, I was just kidding! The oil cooler on my car is more like a finned bracket than a cooler. My "pick on Mazda night" reference was to another thread. "Another trip to Home Depot" I'm here to get advice about fixing the car that's not running and to have a good time. I leave the tech questions to the engineers. (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/beerchug.gif) |
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| TeamAxisRacing |
Jan 5 2006, 11:51 PM
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#13
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Member Group: Members Posts: 107 Joined: 13-September 03 From: seattle, Wa Member No.: 1,153 |
Nice car dude! looks just like mine did (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/drunk.gif) its a 84-85 right looks like a GS? sure like those cars with white paint |
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| DanT |
Jan 6 2006, 12:27 AM
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#14
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Going back to the Dark Side! Group: Members Posts: 4,300 Joined: 4-October 04 From: Auburn, CA Member No.: 2,880 Region Association: None |
Thanks Brant,
That was the type of info I was looking for...I guess I will just do a Mocal or Setrab. This was supposed to be a low budget racer (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/ohmy.gif) (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/headbang.gif) (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/chairfall.gif) (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/chairfall.gif) |
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| hmeeder |
Jan 6 2006, 01:19 AM
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#15
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Dante's Sportscar Group: Members Posts: 352 Joined: 21-November 04 From: San Diego, CA Member No.: 3,154 |
Well, just to stir the mud...
I do have a "used" RX7 oilcooler off a Generation 1 RX7. I got the thing at a local pick-a-part for $15 and had it pressure tested and flushed for another $15. My 2.4 liter handgrenade never gets above 200 degrees. I run 5/8 I.D. jiffy line and the flow is fine for what I need. One of the benefits of the RX7 cooler is the size and shape is an ideal fit for the nose of the car. I know, I know. I'm going hear bitching about going cheap on a track car. Well, the only way my wife will let me build/race/keep this car is if I do it on the extreme thinnest budget possible. Believe me, if I had the resources, my car would be built like a jewelled Swiss watch and you could lick the exhaust manifold (OK, I admit it, I do that anyway) but I don't, so it isn't. The short answer: a used RX7 oil cooler can work if that's all you got (or are willing to pay for.) It's not optimum, but it will work. Let the flaming begin. |
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| SirAndy |
Jan 6 2006, 04:27 AM
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#16
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Resident German Group: Admin Posts: 41,614 Joined: 21-January 03 From: Oakland, Kalifornia Member No.: 179 Region Association: Northern California |
why not? can you back that up? whats different about the *oil* used in a mazda as compared to the oil used in a VW ??? never had any fitting problems either. guess the new and out of the box RX7 coolers somehow managed to fit standard lines and couplers ... i still don't get it. that cooler is used in a mazda to cool oil. now you use it to cool oil in a VW. big deal? if so, why? just FYI, when i ran the T4 2.0L in my VW bug, i used a Mercedes Benz oil cooler up front. low and behold, guess what it did? yes, yes, i know, hard to believe, but it cooled the oil! must have been my lucky year ... as the car rusted away under my ass before the unworthy oilcooler could kill the engine ... (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/unsure.gif) Andy
and exactly *how* does that affect the quality of the *OIL* cooler used on that car ???? (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/confused24.gif) |
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| RON S. |
Jan 6 2006, 06:09 AM
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#17
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9140430841, FINALLY RUNNING Group: Members Posts: 1,211 Joined: 22-May 03 From: WALTERBORO,S.C. Member No.: 724 Region Association: South East States |
I'll give my 2cw.
I've had a Mazda unit installed in my 6'r now for a couple years. Since I do all the work on my car myself,I took the liberty to cut the end off the cooler and make up a bolt together flange setup .I already had to cut the endcap to install -16 weld bungs,so why not make the cap removable to facilitate cleaning. I also that inside all Mazda coolers,there are baffle strips inserted in each cooling tube to slow the oil flow thru the cooler. I guess these are the slow the oil to allow the heat transfer.They can be removed,and it'll increase oil flow,however I didn't remove any so I have no idea what outcome would be without these restrictors. In addition,I added a Canton oil filter on the outlet side for safety.It's rated @ 8microns I think. Even though my car is not yet licensed for the road,ya I know,it doesn't have a load on it,here in SC,on a 100 degree July day,I'd let it idle for 45 mins. at a time.The temp never got over 210 with the colloing fans running. I think it'll be alright,but we'll see. Ron Attached image(s) 
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| RON S. |
Jan 6 2006, 06:11 AM
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#18
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9140430841, FINALLY RUNNING Group: Members Posts: 1,211 Joined: 22-May 03 From: WALTERBORO,S.C. Member No.: 724 Region Association: South East States |
Nudder one.
R Attached image(s) 
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| Randal |
Jan 6 2006, 02:21 PM
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#19
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 4,446 Joined: 29-May 03 From: Los Altos, CA Member No.: 750 |
Dan,
Check your SBC e-mail. Randal |
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