Aux Oil Cooler Needed?
 

Guys,

I'm not sure of the right answer and could be swayed either way, so I would like to hear your opinions.

My 993 spends between 10 and 15 days on the track each year and some of those days are in the summer when the temps are pretty hot. During the run sessions my oil temps get up near 248 degrees which is the 10:00 notch on the oil temp gauge.

With these kinds of temps I have been considering an auxilary oil cooler to manage the temps. Is it worth the cost to do this to a DE only car? How bad are these temps to the engine if I continue to DE the car?

The oil cooler that I would install sits right in front of the A/C cooler in the front bumper and doesn't impact the A/C very much, but is quite expensive. It is made by Cargraphic and would cost around $1,700. Is it worth it or not?

Thanks in advance.

-Skip

After checking out the C4S profile I would say your car is well on its way to becoming a dedicated track car and that's a great thing :D

1) What brand/type/viscocity oil do you currently use?
2) How often do you change the oil?
3) 250 degrees is TOO HOT!
4) How much $$ is a new 993 motor?

My guess is that the cost ($1700) isn't too much in the greater scheme, given your current mods. Heck, a new set of "r" compounds would cost close to that for your car.

Make sure to check your current system. By that, make sure the thermostats are working properly. I don't know exactly the location of the factory oil cooler, but is there any way to increase airflow over it?

Racer,

Great comments and questions.

I use Mobile1 15-50, which is Porsche factory installed oil.

I change the oil every 7500 miles (instead of the factory suggested 15000 miles) or every spring (before the season).

The factory oil cooler is in front of the front passenger wheel and there is only one way to increase air flow and that is by overriding the oil cooler fan. I have already set this up so I can switch it on High at the track and it helps cool the oil down quickly after a run, but doesn't really help during the session.

All the thermostats are working correctly and others in 993s get similar oil temps.

I agree that running at 250 is too hot, but wanted to see if I was being overly sensitive or not. You have confirmed my plan to get the Cargraphic oil cooler this winter.

Other opinions still welcome.

-Skip

Skip, I'm in the same boat as you. Up til now my fix has just been changing the oil after each DE, regardless of mileage. Now I'm buying a dedicated track car and so I don't have to worry about it anymore.

Rick,

I wish I could do that too. The plan had been to do that in the next year or two, but life changes and family obligations have put the dedicated track car and Club Racing off for a few years. Because of this I will continue to DE my car and want to protect it as best as possible, so am planning on getting the Cargraphic oil cooler.

What was the outcome with your car? Did the insurance company deal with you well? I'm planning on using the DE insurance next year.

-Skip

Skip, my track car will cost a little more than a 993 engine rebuild. My 993 will be good as new by end of next month. But after that phat deductible ($6750) I will simply have too much money into this car to risk it on the track again. I won't be able to sell it for anything close to what I have into it and my mod. wish list is done, so I'm keeping it for a weekend toy. Since I am a never-ending tinkerer, I will thoroughly enjoy taking a perfect '83 SC and "personalizing" it.

- Thanks :wink:

You might try 20-50 during the hot summers

I would recommend more frequent changes during the DE season. While mobil 1 has greater resistence to break down, I was changing my oil twice per DE season (April-Oct) when my SC was running 240-250 temps. $100 for my shop to do oil/filter change with Mobil1 20-50 was a lot cheaper than saving for a new motor ;)


I know on some 993's widebody folks replace the foglights with ducts, but I can't remember if they are brake or cooler ducts.. may want to also look into that.


Just to play devil's advocate... how do you know? Have they been pulled and inspected? Have you been able to put a pyrometer on the lines and see a difference in temps between the two lines before and after they go through the cooler?

Do tell!

No I have not inspected them, just know a bunch of 993 owners that have similar temp results at the same time

I have already installed them and they are supposed to be used for brake cooling, but if the ducting isn't done some additional (very little) air circulates down near the oil cooler.

Rick - I agree with you on the 993 as a weekend toy and the wife won't let me sell it and I don't ever want to. But, I also want to get into club racing and until I have a true track car won't do that either. The C4S is here to stay...

Give us some details on the SC and your plans (some pics would be cool too).

Can't give away too many details, as I don't want someone to snatch it from under me. I have to wait until my other house sells and then the car shall be mine.