Thread: VE and Oil Coolers

19 row min. The guys up north will more than likely need a thermostat.

Here is a potentially stupid question. It turns out that the radiator I'm using for my VE is set up to cool automatic transmission fluid. How would it work to use this part of the radiator as an oil cooler?

that sounds like it would work, but i wonder if it would cool it enough?

Yea, that's one of the things that I'd be concerned about. All that heat basically going to the same device (hot oil and water to the radiator). But the water generally stays around under 200*F on the road -- I have not really watched water temperature on the track. But I recall reading threads about SR20s overheating on the track. Oil must have a higher heat capacity than water, but then there is less oil than coolant.

I wonder how auto tranny fluid temperatures run compared to crankcase oil. Is the cooling capacity of the radiator able to do the job?

Maybe I just need to try it out. Or maybe I should just do it right the first time.

Anyone else have any thoughts?

The answer to size really relates to what you are dong with the car. Occasional track day I would follow SERacer's advice and use a full width 19 row cooler minimum.

If this s a dedicated track or race car I would use a bigger cooler. Steve Foltz used a huge 50 row cooler on hos VE track car IIRC.

Regardless I would use a thermostat and I would not use the cooler integrated in the radiator. Use -10 lines (5/8) hose with as few bends as possible.

Thanks for your advice.

In regards to overheating most SR's that have an issue are DE's and it is a water pump cavitation problem. VE's typically don't have the issue as long as the radiator and the rest of the cooling system is up to par.

As far as oil temp.'s they need to be kept under 250 to keep your bearings alive. Do you have an oil temp gauge?

Yes, I have an oil temp gauge to keep an eye on things when I do track days. I limit my track days to early spring and late fall to more easily keep the oil temp under control. I have not had any high temps on the track, but I recently upgraded to SR16 cams, so I may be using higher revs in the future.

This is what you need for a heat exchanger set up. Finding the right size involves trial and error and elaborate plumbing.

Laminar Flow Oil to Water Heat Exchangers - Mocal Laminar Flow Oil to Water Heat Exchanger- Medium