External Oil cooler elimination?

[Blackcrow64]

I have been contemplating this but wasn't sure if I understood it correctly. I know that my 90 motor needs an external oil cooler. But, I thought maybe with this adapter I could turn my filter and no longer need an external cooler at the same time. It says it does not have facility for an oil cooler. So am I able to run my motor without an oil cooler or not? Would I have to change anything else? I think I'm confusing myself with this the more I think about it. lol

http://www.ffwdconnection.com/filterbracket.shtml

[Thor06]

Why wouldnt you want the external oil cooler? Especially with your setup I would recommend it. If you really REALLY dont want to, I think you can just buy a 91-92 6 bolt oil filter housing, they dont have external oil cooler things and I am pretty sure they will bolt right up.

[Blackcrow64]

Oh I want the external oil cooler, but I wanted to turn my filter while I was at it. But it looks as if you can only turn the filter if you aren't running an external oil cooler... And you just reminded me that I didn't add my B&M oil cooler to my list of parts. lol

[Thor06]

What does "turn the filter" mean?

[Blackcrow64]

Originally Posted by Thor06

What does "turn the filter" mean?

You know how the oil filter goes towards the passenger side of the car and a 3" exhaust will barely clear them? Sometimes you have to drop the downpipe to get the oil filters off then. This adapter actually turns the oil filter so its facing towards the front of the car and there are no clearance issues with anything then.

[kjewer1]

If you want to point the filter forward and keep an external cooler, just get an appropriately sized "sandwich adapter" that has the ports on it. Then run fittings and lines to the cooler (aftermarket). I can't provide any details on how to do this, since I have never done it, but the parts are there. It's also up to you to make sure it fits.

For whatever it's worth, I ran with no oil cooler for several years, even down to the 126 mph setup. If you are not auto crossing or roadracing, or staying at WOT for retarded lengths of time on the street/highway, then I Don't feel it's really required. In fact, I think the risks of using the oil/coolant unit in the 91-99 cars far outweigh any benefits you might get with it.

[Blackcrow64]

Originally Posted by kjewer1

In fact, I think the risks of using the oil/coolant unit in the 91-99 cars far outweigh any benefits you might get with it.

Really? What kind of risks are there really with it? I've never put much thought into there being any risks with it.

[kjewer1]

Most common risk with the oil/coolant setup is that when removing the filter, the stud, which is also the bolt that holds that cooler on, gets loosened up inadvertently. This cost me one of the 3 7 bolts I CWed.

Another risk is overtightening the filter stud/cooler bolt and crushing the cooler (only gets about 22 ftlbs IIRC). This will cause coolant and oil to mix. I changed a HG twice thinking it was blown since I had fluid mixing going on. Hence my renaming of the oil cooler to the oil mixer about 4 years ago

A third risk is filters loosening up. A couple seasons ago I had the filter blow off at high rpm several times. Two or three at the DSM Shootout alone. I had to safety wire the filter on from that point forward. When I eventually went to a NT 90 style housing I stopped safety wiring it on (lazy, and stupid. Everyone should be using safety wire on the filter by the way) and never had a single one come loose. The EVO has an external air cooler like the 90s, and that also does not have problems with the filter coming off, though I should be safety wiring that one too...

Not worth it, IMO. The oil is still going to be 210 degrees or so anyway since it's "cooled" by the coolant from 91-99. I don't see the point.

[Blackcrow64]

So do you think I should keep an external cooler or ditch it? lol

[kjewer1]

Your call