Can I run without an Oil Cooler?

[Artago]

Hey all. Once again I need your advice. But first let me give you a little background. I own a 7-bolt 2G and my Oil Filter housing is cracked. So I ordered a forward facing Oil Filter Housing as a replacement however there are a few differences that have me a bit worried.

The new housing does not use a water to oil cooling system. This means that the water pipes that normally go through the stock oil filter housing will have to by pass it. This means that the car will be running without an oil cooler. So here are my questions.

1. Can I run the car (temporarily) without an oil cooler? Or will I risk doing damage to it? I plan to run less then stock boost and never go WOT until I get an external oil housing. Will this be OK to do for the next 2 months or so in the winter?

2. I've noticed that the stock radiator has two AN connector pipes on the bottom of the radiator core. These pipes then appear as they run through the bottom of the radiator. Are these connectors for oil cooling via the radiator? If so can I run lines from the oil housing to the radiator and have a temporary oil cooling solution?

Now I realizes that this isn't the proper way of doing this but I need a temporary solution until I get paid and have the time to install an external oil cooler. Any first hand experience and suggestions are most appreciated. In the mean time however I need my car to drive to and from work (about 5 km) and I plan to baby the car for the next few month anyways as it is a new motor and clutch. I just need to know that I can still drive my car without hurting it.

Thank you for your help,

Tom

UPDATE: I was thinking of getting this Oil Cooler Kit from GlowShift
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/PERFORMANCE-19-ROW-ALUMINUM-COMPLETE-OIL-COOLER-KIT_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ46095QQihZ015QQitemZ250182584522

I've purchased some products from GlowShift before (3 Gauges and Gauge Pod) and I love the company and the products. Plus for $200 and cheap shipping you can't go wrong. Best of all it's a 19 row Oil cooler.

However, my original question still stands. Can I run temporarily without the stock oil cooler? Or can I run the Oil lines through the radiator?

Thank you,

Tom

 

[UMR98GSX]

I don't have an answer to your question but I would assume that it is a bad idea.

That kit looks pretty nice although I believe those lines are much longer than needed. If you do end up buying this kit please do a writeup on the quality and fitment.

 

[FlatBlackTerror]

I don't have an answer to your question but I would assume that it is a bad idea.

That kit looks pretty nice although I believe those lines are much longer than needed. If you do end up buying this kit please do a writeup on the quality and fitment.

ive run the forward facing filter deal and honestly it sucks. oil is black within 500 miles and the oil filter keeps backing off and when i tried to use aq sandwhich plate to put on an oil cooler the forward bracket snapped in half.



Brian

 

[UMR98GSX]

Brian - I wasn't necessarily talking about the forward facing bracket, just the oil cooler kit he posted the ebay link for.

Personally I would never run a sandwich plate, I would just buy a 90 cooler and run the external cooler from there.

 

[wishihadatalon]

Get a filter housing from a 91 mightymax. It has the spots for an external cooler and it also faces forward.

 

[FlatBlackTerror]

Get a filter housing from a 91 mightymax. It has the spots for an external cooler and it also faces forward.

Last i checked it didnt, ive used that one and didnt have an oil cooler. THats the one i used the sandwhich plate on and it snapped in half.

 

[eclipsegst1990]

This is interesting, I was going to post the exact same question today. I have a 1991 GVR4 and it has the oil cooler built onto the oil filter housing. Ive seen these fail many times and it makes me very nervous. I was wondering if I could get a 1990 filter housing and use the lower radiator passage (meant for ATF fluid) as a temporary fix until I can buy a cooler kit as well.

ARTAGO, check the following site:

http://www.diamondstarmotorsport.com/engineparts.shtml

 

[blcknspo0ln]

First off, I would NOT run an OFH that has no cooling capabilities. Oil temperatures would skyrocket for sure. Either use a standard watercooled OFH or switch to a more efficient aircooled OFH.

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=271069

 

[wishihadatalon]

Last i checked it didnt, ive used that one and didnt have an oil cooler. THats the one i used the sandwhich plate on and it snapped in half.

You are right. I never noticed in the pictures that I had seen before that it was a sandwich plate.

 

[wishihadatalon]

First off, I would NOT run an OFH that has no cooling capabilities. Oil temperatures would skyrocket for sure. Either use a standard watercooled OFH or switch to a more efficient aircooled OFH.

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=271069

Many many smart people go without running a cooled filter housing. I have done it with no problems. I would never road course like that, but for daily driving, it isn't that bad.

 

[blcknspo0ln]

Many many smart people go without running a cooled filter housing. I have done it with no problems. I would never road course like that, but for daily driving, it isn't that bad.

I'm sure it's possible and I'm sure many have done it, but have you ever personally logged oil temperatures prior to disengaging the water lines and comparing them to now?

 

[FlatBlackTerror]

Brian - I wasn't necessarily talking about the forward facing bracket, just the oil cooler kit he posted the ebay link for.

Personally I would never run a sandwich plate, I would just buy a 90 cooler and run the external cooler from there.

Thats what im in the process of doing. THe forward facing sucks, just get an air to oil and be done with it, Like i said my oil was black so fast without the cooler and i was running royal purple so its not like i have the crappy on sale non synthetic in there.

cliff notes: Yes you can run without an oil cooler but its not recommended at all.

 

[Artago]

If you do end up buying this kit please do a writeup on the quality and fitment.

I will. I plan to do a lot of write-ups shortly. I just spent the last 2 months doing over $10,000 worth of upgrades, so I'll be reviewing a LOT of products. Cheers.

 

[Artago]

This is interesting, I was going to post the exact same question today. I have a 1991 GVR4 and it has the oil cooler built onto the oil filter housing. Ive seen these fail many times and it makes me very nervous. I was wondering if I could get a 1990 filter housing and use the lower radiator passage (meant for ATF fluid) as a temporary fix until I can buy a cooler kit as well.

ARTAGO, check the following site:

http://www.diamondstarmotorsport.com/engineparts.shtml

THAT's what it's called!!! Lower Radiator Passage! So it's originally for the ATF fluid? Can I run my Oil through it as a temporary oil cooler? I guess I could try it. See if it works.

With regards to the link, I've seen that page before. Does anyone know what the price is on that Oil Filter Housing? Also, should I go for that External Oil Cooler or the one I posted a link to on eBay? The eBay one is from GlowShift. I've purchased some gauges from GlowShift and the company looks very credible and I am happy about the purchase.

 

[Artago]

First off, I would NOT run an OFH that has no cooling capabilities. Oil temperatures would skyrocket for sure. Either use a standard watercooled OFH or switch to a more efficient aircooled OFH.

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=271069

I've actually seen your write up and read it several times Tom. However, keep in mind, I'm asking about a temporary solution. I DO plan to get a external oil cooler but it wont happen for a month or two and in that time I'll be keeping the RPMs low to break in a new 7-bolt and clutch. Seeing as it's winter time and it's a temp solution for mild driving, I think I should be ok for a month or two. What do you think?

 

[Artago]

Many many smart people go without running a cooled filter housing. I have done it with no problems. I would never road course like that, but for daily driving, it isn't that bad.

So you run with no oil cooling what-so-ever? Just want to confirm there is one person out there doing it. Cheers.

 

[Artago]

I'm sure it's possible and I'm sure many have done it, but have you ever personally logged oil temperatures prior to disengaging the water lines and comparing them to now?

Has anyone done this? I'd REALLY like to know.

 

[Artago]

I purchased this Oil Filter Housing from 4G63-EZ via eBay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=250176260093&ssPageName=STRK:MEWN:IT&ih=015

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It looks like it has holes to connect lines for an external Oil cooler. Or they could be holes for something else. Any thoughts?

PS: I paid way to much for this (especially the shipping). Don't purchase anything from 4G63-EZ.

 

[blcknspo0ln]

I purchased this Oil Filter Housing from 4G63-EZ via eBay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=250176260093&ssPageName=STRK:MEWN:IT&ih=015

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

It looks like it has holes to connect lines for an external Oil cooler. Or they could be holes for something else. Any thoughts?

PS: I paid way to much for this (especially the shipping). Don't purchase anything from 4G63-EZ.

It says the OFH is for a 7 bolt in the description. I guess all you can do now is wait for the item to arrive and see how it comes.

I've actually seen your write up and read it several times Tom. However, keep in mind, I'm asking about a temporary solution. I DO plan to get a external oil cooler but it wont happen for a month or two and in that time I'll be keeping the RPMs low to break in a new 7-bolt and clutch. Seeing as it's winter time and it's a temp solution for mild driving, I think I should be ok for a month or two. What do you think?

This is a chance that you are going to have to take if you decide to drive without it. Just using common sense, doing so will raise oil temperatures and therefore raise engine temps as a product. Is that a problem you ask? Maybe, maybe not. Are you willing to potentially sacrifice a newly-rebuild engine just to save a couple bucks? It may be just my opinion, but spending big $$ to get a DSM running and then skimping out on something like a reliable OFH seems quite contradicting.

 

[Artago]

It says the OFH is for a 7 bolt in the description. I guess all you can do now is wait for the item to arrive and see how it comes.

Yeah that's my only choice. It says 7-bolt so I hope it fits and work out ok.

This is a chance that you are going to have to take if you decide to drive without it. Just using common sense, doing so will raise oil temperatures and therefore raise engine temps as a product. Is that a problem you ask? Maybe, maybe not. Are you willing to potentially sacrifice a newly-rebuild engine just to save a couple bucks? It may be just my opinion, but spending big $$ to get a DSM running and then skimping out on something like a reliable OFH seems quite contradicting.

I don't plan to skimp out on an Oil cooler. I'm just broke right now and have tons of bills to pay. 2 or 3 paychecks later I will have the $$$ to buy more parts, the first of which will be the oil cooler. But to get those paychecks I need to go to work for the next few weeks. It's a short drive and it's fairly cold right now and I don't plan to push the car anyways. So I'd like to know if that will be ok for the next few weeks or the next month or two.

My other option is to continue car pooling to work (which is what I've been doing so far, but my car pool gets me to work an HOUR early) and just leave the car for the next little while until I get the $$ for the external Oil cooler.

Just to repeat, I do plan to get an external oil cooler but not right now because I don't have the $$$ and the VISA bill is going to be pretty big this month.

 

[wishihadatalon]

I'm sure it's possible and I'm sure many have done it, but have you ever personally logged oil temperatures prior to disengaging the water lines and comparing them to now?

I have found no reason to. I didn't see any more increase in knock, I didn't see any higher engine temps, and nothing was wrong with the car. The car was driven every day and went 116mph on a 16g. There was nothing to complain about and nothing to worry about.

 

[Artago]

I have found no reason to. I didn't see any more increase in knock, I didn't see any higher engine temps, and nothing was wrong with the car. The car was driven every day and went 116mph on a 16g. There was nothing to complain about and nothing to worry about.

So you run with no Oil cooler what-so-ever? And you've had no problems? That's what I wanted to hear Thanks.

 

[DoyoFCT]

I have found no reason to. I didn't see any more increase in knock, I didn't see any higher engine temps, and nothing was wrong with the car. The car was driven every day and went 116mph on a 16g. There was nothing to complain about and nothing to worry about.

im going to agree with this, unless you have a road race car.. i dont really think the cooler is nescessary. worse case scenario you have to change your oil more often. What do all the other cars out there v8's and such do without an air oil cooler or water oil cooler??!?

I just find it hard to believe that our cars are that sensitive to removing an oil cooling system. and having catastrophic failure result from it. I would just buy an oil temp gauge and keep an eye on it.

I personally prefer the forward facing oil filter housing it puts the oil filter in such a better position, and hell im sure there's some benefits of getting the oil filter a little further from the radiant heat of the DP.

 

[wishihadatalon]

So you run with no Oil cooler what-so-ever? And you've had no problems? That's what I wanted to hear Thanks.

The only problem we had was when we started it and didn't put anything in the hole where the pressure sensor goes Lots of oil on the garage floor

 

[Artago]

The only problem we had was when we started it and didn't put anything in the hole where the pressure sensor goes Lots of oil on the garage floor

HAHA . I'll keep that in mind.