carbuff
01-08-2013, 07:24 PM
I have a few questions regarding my cooling solutions. I searched and read some older threads, but I didn't find the exact answers which I'm looking for.
First, the oil cooler. I have the Mocal thermostat with the -10AN fittings, and a PRC oil cooler which I'll mount in front of the radiator. After reading some older threads, I might have considered an oil cooler built into the radiator itself, but I have what I have now. :)
I also have the Champ oil filter adapter to mount the filter in the stock location. So I will only be running lines from the thermostat to the cooler.
Now to the questions. First, I've seen people talking about using a ball-valve to disable the flow to the cooler on non-track days. Has anyone actually done this? If so, where do you tap into your lines? I was thinking I would do is in the line RETURNING from the cooler, if for no other good reason than to keep the cooler full of oil rather than having the system drain fluid from the cooler when the valve is closed (thus taking longer to refill it).
Next, and related... How do you 'prime' these systems, with an LS engine? Without the ability to remove a distributor and do the 'drill prime' method, am I stuck with just spinning the motor to pump oil around? I don't really like that idea... :(
And when you change the oil, do you also remove the fittings from the cooler to drain the lines and the cooler, to get all of the oil out?
Does anyone see a concern with using the stock filter? I bought one the other day, and it's pretty small...
Finally, where is everyone picking up the oil temperature from? Do you use a sensor in the pan, or in a line somewhere? If in a line, I presume that would be after the cooler?
Now to the PS cooler. I purchased one from Derale the other day.
http://www.jegs.com/i/Derale/259/13309/10002/-1
It's a little smaller than I expected (5" x 8"), but will pretty easy to fit in front of the radiator. Given that my goal is more track days and less auto-x, I'm not quite as worried about the hardcore cooling. But at the same time, I am in central Texas, and it gets pretty warm here.
Does this seem inline with what others are using? I plan to run the cooler in the return line going back to the pump.
Appreciate any insights!
First, the oil cooler. I have the Mocal thermostat with the -10AN fittings, and a PRC oil cooler which I'll mount in front of the radiator. After reading some older threads, I might have considered an oil cooler built into the radiator itself, but I have what I have now. :)
I also have the Champ oil filter adapter to mount the filter in the stock location. So I will only be running lines from the thermostat to the cooler.
Now to the questions. First, I've seen people talking about using a ball-valve to disable the flow to the cooler on non-track days. Has anyone actually done this? If so, where do you tap into your lines? I was thinking I would do is in the line RETURNING from the cooler, if for no other good reason than to keep the cooler full of oil rather than having the system drain fluid from the cooler when the valve is closed (thus taking longer to refill it).
Next, and related... How do you 'prime' these systems, with an LS engine? Without the ability to remove a distributor and do the 'drill prime' method, am I stuck with just spinning the motor to pump oil around? I don't really like that idea... :(
And when you change the oil, do you also remove the fittings from the cooler to drain the lines and the cooler, to get all of the oil out?
Does anyone see a concern with using the stock filter? I bought one the other day, and it's pretty small...
Finally, where is everyone picking up the oil temperature from? Do you use a sensor in the pan, or in a line somewhere? If in a line, I presume that would be after the cooler?
Now to the PS cooler. I purchased one from Derale the other day.
http://www.jegs.com/i/Derale/259/13309/10002/-1
It's a little smaller than I expected (5" x 8"), but will pretty easy to fit in front of the radiator. Given that my goal is more track days and less auto-x, I'm not quite as worried about the hardcore cooling. But at the same time, I am in central Texas, and it gets pretty warm here.
Does this seem inline with what others are using? I plan to run the cooler in the return line going back to the pump.
Appreciate any insights!