what are the benefits of an oil cooler?

[flaatr@yahoo.com (Euroroc II)]

Highly recommend one... 87 degrees is the optimal temperature for oil (i 
read this somewhere) and the stock oil warmer that Volkswagon uses isn't 
very good. $200 to $400 may seem like a lot but the benefits of better 
lubrication and longer engine life are greater. Sandwich plates are good 
but running lines, especially on a 16V, is tricky. Stainless lines are also 
the best but a pain to deal with since the lines will probably be passing 
very close to the alternator. Braided lines also have the tendency to grind 
into anything they come into contact with. High quality rubber lines may be 
just as good without the added problems.

AN fittings, in my opinion, are the only way to go!

Setrab coolers are great but for a little cost savings look at B&M. 
Neuspeed's oil cooler kits used these and they are very good in my opinion. 
Summit sells them for a good price.

European GTi Filter Mounts are the cleanest way to go and should make 
installation easier but they are expensive, $250 vs less than $100 for a 
sandwich plate. I am thinking of changing over so if I do my sandwich plate 
will be available to the group.

I've run air to oil coolers on my 8V and 16V and would never consider 
driving a Volkswagon hard without one. On a hard run I never see oil temps 
higher than 105 and normal driving my needle stays at jut about 90.

-RGK
-Raffi-


At 11:45 PM 1/7/03 -0500, Neal wrote:
>Oil breaks down and does not lubricate properly when overly hot. It also
>"cokes" in areas of low flow and leaves a sticky burnt carbon all over (ever
>burned molasses in a fry pan?). That's what kills most turbos and
>superchargers.
>
>Good oil coolers are very expensive. For a full-bore kit with high-pressure
>stainless steel lines, an aluminum cooler from someplace like Setrab, and a
>good thermostatic sandwich plate, you're taking about $400+
>
>However, you can cobble together a halfway decent junkyard parts oil cooler
>for pretty cheap. I'm told that there is a volvo sandwich adapter that will
>fit our cars, and you can get coolers from the junkyard or inexpensively
>from PepBoys for ~$50. You just have to solve the oil lines. Good lines and
>fittings are expensive, and I'm not sure I would want barb fittings on
>something so important. If they go, your engine will probably be toast
>before you notice.
>
>In the end, $200 for a oil cooler kit with a thermostatic sandwich adapter,
>a decent cooler, and sturdy rubber lines with AN fittings is a good deal.
>
>Who is the person on Vortex? I spent $300 for my kit from someone on Vortex,
>and it turned out to not be what was promised...a good kit, but not a $300
>kit. I could let you know if it is the same person.
>
>Neal
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: scirocco-l-admin@scirocco.org
> > [mailto:scirocco-l-admin@scirocco.org]On Behalf Of Marko Latrell
> > Sent: Tuesday, January 07, 2003 11:23 PM
> > To: scirocco-l@scirocco.org
> > Subject: what are the benefits of an oil cooler?
> >
> >
> > cooler oil means what?
> >
> > Less wear & tear on the engine b/c the oil works better cooler?
> >
> > there is a guy selling one on vortex and he wants almost $200 shipped.
> >
> > is that a decent price and is this is mod worth doing?
> >
> > thanks
> >
> > ---
> > 87 Scirocco 8v
> >
> >
> >
> >
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