What is that cooler out of?

What are your thoughts? BTW it's a Behr from an old Mercedes.

I had the RX-7 cooler - they were so cheap from our local pic a part (like 10.00). However, after researching within this group, it seemed like it would take quite a bit of cutting and rewelding to get the cooler to work (removing the built in t-stat). The cost to have this work done and then have the cooler cleaned was getting close to the cost of other options.
I gave away the ones I had several years ago because of this.

The one I have is out of a euro-spec Mercedes M110 engine (2.8l DOHC inline 6 with 185HP) but that engine is pending sale along with my car.

I was just outside and thought the dimensions were close to the 914/6 GT coolers and since it helped with a 2.8l inline six.....

I'd have to find another one, but I'm sure they are out there.

Thanks to all you guys for your help. I'll probably run either braided lines or those cool GT-style hardlines to the front (the ones PMB are doing). I've been told a front cooler is best, so what the heck.

If anyone has a line on a good RX7-cooler or of a place to get one, I'd be willing to think about that too.

However, do a search on Rx7 coolers here and you'll find the thread on how to remove the strips from inside the tubes & re-weld the tank on the end......without doing that the cooler is very restrictive when the oil is cold & causes an oil pressure drop when the tstat switches. Let me know if you want one.

Not to start an argument, but:

Since the cooler is on the scavenge side of a six pump and no pressure is measured there, I fail to see how it would effect the oil pressure in the engine. The oil returning to the filter and tank is what is cooled.

A six pump is a flooded suction pump with 8 quarts of oil in the tank feeding the engine oil pump.

I hate this .... the only reason to remove the thermostat from the RX7 cooler is that it takes a little longer for the engine to come up to temperature because of the added 1-2 quarts of oil in the lines.

The stock RX7 thermostat would prevent the oil from flowing thru the cooler until it came up to temperature.

If there is that much wear in the engine created by having to warm up a couple more quarts, then there is something wrong in the metallurgy or design.

Besides, you could remove the thermostat and probably use an expandable
freeze plug to achieve the same thing as cutting, replacing the mid plate and re-heliarcing the tank back on an RX7 cooler. ( I haven't tried this as yet, but I'm getting there).

Just my thoughts. I've been running a plate cooler for about 10K miles with no thermostat and my engine is far from wearing out.

Rant over .....

I agree with slits,
why remove a built in t-stat ? By keeping it you avoid four additional connections and the cost of an additional part. It allows reduced flow until operating temp is reached.
Also, it is designed to prevent explosion caused by excess oil pressure when cold.
The adaptation can be as simple as drilling to enlarge and tapping existing bungs and welding on an additional tapped bung for better position.
Rant over x 2....

Wndsrfr -
Do you have a good RX-7 cooler for sale? If so, I am absolutely interested.

I hate this .... the only reason to remove the thermostat from the RX7 cooler is that it takes a little longer for the engine to come up to temperature because of the added 1-2 quarts of oil in the lines.

The stock RX7 thermostat would prevent the oil from flowing thru the cooler until it came up to temperature.
Rant over .....

I saw this picture in the sandbox, looks like someone did some custom work on an LE front valance to install a cooler like the one I posted at the start of this thread.

Doesn't look as low as the RSR cooler, but may be a solution for front oil cooling w/o cutting up the front trunk.
What are your thoughts?