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cheap oil cooler - auto tran cooler?

inissane

By inissane,
in Engines & Forced Induction

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inissane Proficient

inissane

Posted
Posted

hey people, got a q regarding rb20

just wondering if it is possible to use an auto transmission cooler as an oil cooler?

(or if this is a stupid question :wassup: ) Or is the expensive part the adapter and tubing/fittings and hence this saving is perhaps not worth it?

I could source an oil cooler for $150 or get an auto tranny cooler if it is possible ??????- a small intercooler would be useless i guess cause of the internal resistance to flow and the end tanks

any input would be apprec

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https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/69456-cheap-oil-cooler-auto-tran-cooler/
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Sneaker Enthusiast

Sneaker

Posted
Posted

Don't know but I am looking to do the same thing. I have an oil cooler of a VR Commodore auto that I can put on but I obviously need to get the adaptors to change it. Does an oil cooler for the engine need it's own pump? Is there a better kit out there that can be used? And if so what is the cost?

SteveL Mentor

SteveL

Posted
Posted
just wondering if it is possible to use an auto transmission cooler as an oil cooler?

If you mean as an engine oil cooler then you could bolt one on......but I wouldn't recommend it. Auto trans oil coolers aren't designed to handle the same working pressures as an engine oil cooler - might be OK for awhile, but chances are high of failure sometime down the track. Also the fittings on auto coolers are relatively small which would be a flow restriction, same is probably true of the internal design (think of the viscosity difference between ATF and engine oil, particularly at low temps).

R32Big_boy Veteran

R32Big_boy

Posted
Posted

I got mine of fatz. Its a bit like a trans cooler, a big tube that snakes along with heaps of fins to increase surface area. It came with all fittings and a remote oil fitler adaptor. Does the trick though. Yet to attach my oil temp sensor gauge to it but will have that running soon hopefully.

Sneaker Enthusiast

Sneaker

Posted
Posted
I got mine of fatz. Its a bit like a trans cooler, a big tube that snakes along with heaps of fins to increase surface area. It came with all fittings and a remote oil fitler adaptor. Does the trick though. Yet to attach my oil temp sensor gauge to it but will have that running soon hopefully.

How much did that cost? Did you put it on yourself?

Beer Baron Grand Master

Beer Baron

Posted
Posted
How much did that cost? Did you put it on yourself?

can I suggest that if you have an R32GTR don't be so cheap. use a proper engine oil cooler. if we are talking OEM trans coolers then there is no way in hell I'd hook one up to an RB26, if you are talking aftermarket then it'd depend on the exact model, but the point is why be so stingy? even an Earls core (which are one of the most expensive out there) will cost between $300-$400 for the core in a suitable size, $150 for the take-off plate and remote filter mount, then anywhere from $200 up for the lines (depending on what you use). It is a valuable investment in your engines life. don't be so cheap. don't froget you own a car that cost $100 000 new, service and parts are going to be correspondingly high.

SteveL Mentor

SteveL

Posted
Posted
yes, i think i agree with steve and mmm on that one now, maybe the way to go is the $150 core (from modyourcar.com if int) then the earls adapter and remote mount for another $150.  

$200 for the lines  :D

Have a look at a 'name' brand oil cooler like Serck:

http://www.capa.com.au/serck.htm

These use proper compression fittings for oil line attachment. Personally I'd avoid anything that used hose clamps.......

Beer Baron Grand Master

Beer Baron

Posted
Posted

yep serck are great. Mocal are good too. personally I like the earls cores, but that's partly because I'm a wanker and always want what I think is the best for my car. :D

Serck and Mocal are priced a little more reasonably that Earls, but I'd suggest looking at other sources before buying one from CAPA.

if anyone is interested I have an Earls core that I bought for my last car, I sold the car before I fitted it so it's still brand new in the box. retails for that core was $400, if anyone wants it it's yours for $300. sorry for the hijack, but it's an easy way to save some dosh on a top quality core.

Sneaker Enthusiast

Sneaker

Posted
Posted
can I suggest that if you have an R32GTR don't be so cheap. use a proper engine oil cooler. if we are talking OEM trans coolers then there is no way in hell I'd hook one up to an RB26, if you are talking aftermarket then it'd depend on the exact model, but the point is why be so stingy? even an Earls core (which are one of the most expensive out there) will cost between $300-$400 for the core in a suitable size, $150 for the take-off plate and remote filter mount, then anywhere from $200 up for the lines (depending on what you use). It is a valuable investment in your engines life. don't be so cheap. don't froget you own a car that cost $100 000 new, service and parts are going to be correspondingly high.

It wasn't a case of being "so cheap" rather being resorceful. That is why there are threads like these to find out what is done and what isn't and what parts are interchangable. How else are we supposed to know?

I am the last person to be "cheap" when it comes to any of my cars, believing firmly in "do it right, the first time." I just spent $1700 on a set of competition dump pipes fo the car - doesn't sound like stingy to me.

I am also sure that a lot of people do their own mechanicals here as well.

Sneaker Enthusiast

Sneaker

Posted
Posted

Full dump pipes and y piece with 9inch wastegate runners. Should really scream! These are actually designed to go on for bigger turbos but will still provide superior flow to there other ones which I was originally going to get:

(See picture)

This system is still good giving much better flow over standard.

Anyway I'm getting off topic. How neccisary is an oil cooler for every day use? I have no immediate plans to do track racing or put the car under such constant strains.

Beer Baron Grand Master

Beer Baron

Posted
Posted
It wasn't a case of being "so cheap" rather being resorceful. That is why there are threads like these to find out what is done and what isn't and what parts are interchangable. How else are we supposed to know?

I am the last person to be "cheap" when it comes to any of my cars, believing firmly in "do it right, the first time." I just spent $1700 on a set of competition dump pipes fo the car - doesn't sound like stingy to me.

I am also sure that a lot of people do their own mechanicals here as well.

fair enough mate. It's just that I constantly see people who own GTRs looking for a cheap way to do things. BTW, no need to be proud of paying 1700 for mild steel HKS style dump pipes + front pipes, though I'm sure they will work well.

anyway, sorry if you thought I was being rude. For a street driven car that doens't see any hard driving or track time then probably not neccesary, but it depends on what your oil temps are like. if they are regularly getting to 100+ then I'd suggest you get one. for me, on a GTR an oil cooler is a very good idea.

Sneaker Enthusiast

Sneaker

Posted
Posted
BTW, no need to be proud of paying 1700 for mild steel HKS style dump pipes + front pipes, though I'm sure they will work well.

Are you implying that I paid too much? They happen to be ceramic coated as well and they are not a HKS style set of dumps. These do not replace the standard set as the dumps are too long, that is why the complete set needs to be bought.

What prices have you got?

Beer Baron Grand Master

Beer Baron

Posted
Posted
Are you implying that I paid too much? They happen to be ceramic coated as well and they are not a HKS style set of dumps. These do not replace the standard set as the dumps are too long, that is why the complete set needs to be bought.

What prices have you got?

the ones of that pic you posted are most definately HKS "inspired" there are trust dumps which are what you describe (so maybe you posted the wrong pic?) and they are around $1000 in stainless steel ie. they will not rust. Mild does have some advantages though, it dampens sound more (generally because it's most often used with a thikcker wall) for one. but it will rust at personally I think $1700 for a set of dumps is too much.

I think these ones below are the CES ones you are talking about. Compare them to the trust ones which are $700 cheaper. the ones you posted are definately direct replacement dumps with a set of front pipes.

oh, and oil coolers are good... :Oops:

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