When I run my 1.8L between 65-70 mph oil temps range from 210-220. When I increase my speed to 70+ the oil gets to about 230-235 and stays there. These are temps on an 80-85 degree day. I have an auxiliary oil cooler and run about 5 quarts of Brad Penn Racing Oil. Is this normal for this engine?

235 is red zone temp.

how much air is going to your cooler?
is it a front cooler?

how low is the front spoiler to the ground?
some air needs to go under for engine cooling unless you have a front cooler....

if you do have a front cooler, your exit is too restrictive

No. It is a rear cooler mounted on the passenger's side. I have a Tangerine Racing exhaust system which puts all of the exhaust on the driver's side. There's plenty of room. The spoiler on the front is 8" off the ground. I'm getting 30 psi at this temp.

The engine was recently rebuilt. I've had the oil temp gauge tested by Palo Alto Speedo for accuracy.

Your not going to get the cooling you want with a rear cooler. Either live with the temp or go to a front cooler

Ok. Thanks. I'm trying to figure out how I'll do this since I have a/c as well.

That seems a bit hot for your configuration.
I would expect no higher than 220 at highway speeds (75+) on a hot day (90F+).
In 4th I wouldn''t be surprised if the oil temp exceeded 220F on uphill runs.

A front cooler comes with its own problems.
I've proven the cooler location he's using to be very effective.

There may be something in the oil circuit causing oil to bypass the external cooler.

Thanks Chris. I'll check this out with John. I think we're getting flow to auxiliary oil cooler. When we put an infrared gun on the cooler we're getting 180+. I've taken the car up in the GA mountains and it will get to 240 on an uphill in 4th. 30 psi temps even at that.

190° would be better.


KT

190 would be fantastic! I just can't figure out how to get there.

clean air.....

I disagree.
I like to see my oil run between 190-220.
The factory gauge calibration put the edge of the red line at 300F

OK. Sounds like I'm 10-15 degrees higher than the preferred range. It also seems that I do have some margin with a red line at 300F. I'm still getting 30 psi and a cylinder head temp of 315-320. We'll look at the oil circuit and see if we're getting a decent flow. Thanks for your help on this.

300 may be the factory gauge but 300 is WAY too hot.
250 is too hot also.
240/245 is shut it off hot.

Yes. I have a calibrated gauge for oil temp so I can precisely see what temp I'm at. The guys at Palo Alto Speedo put this together for me. We've verified that the oil send unit is correct too. I have reached 240. That was on a steep mountain grade mostly in 4th and occasional downshift to 3rd. As Racer Chris stated, I think there is an oil circuit problem to the auxiliary oil cooler which I will look into. Any good way to see how much oil is actually going into the cooler?

I'm not doubting your gauge or diagnosis. I'm only saying that if the factory put the red mark at 300. You should not mistakenly assume that is a correct upper limit. You don't have that "margin"

All of you at low altitude don't know how good you have it. Try cooling at elevation.

It is also interesting that when the two liter came along with no real change in cooling, the factory moved the red line. Problem solved, please look at the colors with your wife, we have a nice plaid.