In another thread I've sought advice about using my wagon (NA B21 M46) to haul around a big box trailer. Some of your helpful responses have led me to believe I should prepare to dump more heat from my engine and transmission. I'm thinking that it might be a good idea to transplant a turbo oil cooler into my car. Any suggestions?

Here's some of the earlier post for background: I do have the M46 manual transmission, and I guess a transmission cooler is more of an option for an automatic. I already have a three-row radiator and an auxiliary fan that I added for my AC revival. But what about an oil cooler for the engine? I have seen oil coolers on turbos retired to the boneyard. The heat exchanger itself would have to go to a different location than on the turbo, but I could probably manage that. The connection at the oil filter seems pretty straightforward. What do you think?

Thanks in advance!

Personal opinion is that an oil cooler would be overkill on a NA engine especially considering you are running a 3-row rad. If you are in a very cold climate, adding an oil cooler without including thermostat control, you could hurt the engine more than you would be helping.

jorrell
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92 245 250K miles, IPD'd to the hilt, 06 XC70, 00 Eclipse custom Turbo setup...currently taking names and kicking reputations!

I agree. I drive aggressively, and even out here in the Phoenix area in the middle of summer with the AC running full time, a standard two-row rad in good shape provides adequate cooling. Of course with a manual trans I'm not burdening the rad with additional heat from trans oil. My point is that the basic cooling system design is plenty good.

If I was routinely pulling a trailer in warm weather or in hilly terrain - AND had an automatic, I think I would add a supplemental trans cooler, but skip the engine oil cooler. The latter, with proper thermostatic control, is more of a necessity for turbo applications where the engine oil is subject to additinal heat from the turbo bearings.



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Thank goodness we don't get all the government we pay for. -- Will Rogers

Thanks for the quick response! I probably should have done some archives homework before posting my question rather than after. It would seem that the general opinion in the archives is in agreement with you: A turbo oil cooler on a NA car would be a solution without a problem.

Thanks again!