My 914-6 Oil Cooler Install Options

[patssle]

I attempted my 914-6 conversion with a 3.0L without running an external oil cooler. Some have said they have done it so I figured if I could save a grand of dollars that would be nice. But my extended freeway driving took it to around 240 and I didn't push it any further. So thus I caved and installed an external oil cooler.

Engine oil ouput line


Existing Remote Filter Mounted in Trunk


Mocal 25 Row, 235 Matrix Mounted


Braced Against Muffler Bracket


Fan Mounted


Electrical - Grounded to Transmission Ground


Relay Mounted - Main Power off Bus Bar, Ignition from Relay Board


Mocal Remote Oil Thermostat


Putting It Together


Finished!


Brings temps down to 190 @ idle

[brant]

Weight in the rear trunk is not ideal

[Steve]

My 914 trans cooler was in the same spot and worked great, however I am curious why you needed the oil filter? Isn't there one on the tank? Could of mounted the mocal thermostat underneath versus cutting up the trunk. I started with a toasty 2.7 and put a GT cooler in the front trunk with the same mocal on the engine firewall below the shelf. Works great never had a problem. My current 3.2 motor would probably work fine with your setup and save the hassle of running lines up front and cutting up the front trunk, but as Brant pointed out you are adding weight to the rear, which isn't optimal.

[patssle]

I don't have an oil filter on my tank - my aftermarket /6 tank was poorly built and the filter console was off-center drilled. So I mounted an -12 AN fitting into the filter console and that's where the oil filter outlet feeds to!

Also with this design it was modular - I was able to add the oil cooler with no additional costs of re-routing lines or changing fittings. See the black coupler in the 2nd photo.

[siverson]

Thanks for sharing.

But I don't understand your bottom brace on the oil cooler, and is it necessary? The engine and transmission move independently from the bottom of the trunk, so it looks like you are just asking to crack the cooler or its mounts. Or am I missing something? Can't the cooler just hang from the trunk and not be attached to the muffler/trans/engine?

-Steve

[Steve]

Here's how Otto's did my trans cooler.

[patssle]

Thanks for sharing.

But I don't understand your bottom brace on the oil cooler, and is it necessary? The engine and transmission move independently from the bottom of the trunk, so it looks like you are just asking to crack the cooler or its mounts. Or am I missing something? Can't the cooler just hang from the trunk and not be attached to the muffler/trans/engine?

-Steve

That's actually a good point that I didn't consider. I'll have to think about it. My transmission and engine are on hard solid mounts so they don't move as much as normal.

[McMark]

Did you try replacing the stock on-board thermostat first? They do go bad and then the built in cooler is doing nothing.

[patssle]

Yes I tested the thermostat before I put the /6 engine into my 914. I've even been running without the engine top. But with the external cooler the temps are fine now. It's done with!

I am curious though if anybody else has an opinion about the cooler being braced against the muffler bracket. Keeping in mind transmission and engine are on solid mounts.

[worn]

Tour de force! Thank much as I am mulling over things. The very last thing I want is something that scoops up front pressure air and ejects it underneath the car. I know greater minds than mine have chosen such a path, but you have helped me to ponder other ideas.

[worn]

Yes I tested the thermostat before I put the /6 engine into my 914. I've even been running without the engine top. But with the external cooler the temps are fine now. It's done with!

I am curious though if anybody else has an opinion about the cooler being braced against the muffler bracket. Keeping in mind transmission and engine are on solid mounts.

I should think the solid mounts would decrease flex. Still ideal might be to choose engine or body to anchor to entirely, knowing they flex.

[Mark Henry]

Yes I tested the thermostat before I put the /6 engine into my 914. I've even been running without the engine top. But with the external cooler the temps are fine now. It's done with!

I am curious though if anybody else has an opinion about the cooler being braced against the muffler bracket. Keeping in mind transmission and engine are on solid mounts.

Doesn't matter, the engine still puts out a hell of a lot of vibration. That mounting will break the cooler and when it does it will likely wipe out the engine.

Good luck with that.

[pcar916]

An aluminum cooler has almost no structural integrity at all and will leak in a hurry unless it's fastened to something stiff (or in a bracket, and protected from vibration.

I've had to replace one per year now on my rear cooler and it's just because I've been too lazy to re-engineer the mount.

On this installation though, doesn't the exhaust heat up the cooler a bunch? How much would a shield over the pipes help?

I've avoided that spot for years in favor of mounting in front of the right rear wheel-well well away from direct heat.

[Steve]

Even though my trans cooler is mounted to the body, I noticed that Ottos still used rubber mounts.

[patssle]

Still looking into vibration solutions but I relocated the brace off the muffler bracket.

[thieuster]

Still looking into vibration solutions but I relocated the brace off the muffler bracket.

Impressive, but what bugs me is the fact that the cooler is very close to the road wheels! And unprotected. One big stone, or rock through the radiator and you're stranded. I would come up with some sort of sturdy mesh guard to protect the cooler. Personally I would investigate the possibility of a cooler in front of the spare tire. I've seen lots of examples on the 'net.

Regarding vibration: a U-shaped cradle would help: you can mount the cradle to the car and the cooler can be mounted with flexible suspensions to the cradle.

Menno

[Dave_Darling]

N.B.--that's one of the rear sway bar mounts, not a muffler mount.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

--DD

[patssle]

Maybe in a previous life...it's an oil cooler brace now! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

The oil cooler is located near the rear of the rear tire. The front face is mostly covered with the fan and fan-grill while the non-covered side is facing rear away from the tire.

Unless a rock bypasses the exhaust and bounces off the muffler and then hits the oil cooler with enough force - it should be fine.