Use CSF Radiator's Internal Radiator for ATs for Oil Cooler?
 

I noticed on Z1's site that the CSF radiator comes in two configurations. For ATs, the radiator "includes a seven row transmission fluid cooler included inside the radiator the same as the factory setup." My question is: for a MT car, could you use that internal radiator for oil cooling? Does anyone know what type of fittings are there for the internal radiator?

I'm going to venture a guess and say no as engine oil is probably much thicker. Best to just get a dedicated oil cooler setup IMHO.

I actually think they are pretty close in viscosity so I doubt that would be an issue.

OP, thought about doing this myself. I think viscosity differences would be a mute point. Just don't know if 7 row would be anywhere near enough though.

I'd really like to see some one do a oil cooling setup that uses the engine coolant as the cooling medium instead of the normal air to oil coolers. On a road course the air coolers are fine, but for autocross or anything stop and go related there's no air flow across the cooler.

Keep us updated on the results if you actually do this.

Yeah, I may try it. May have to contact CSF directly to see about fittings, though. Even though it is only a 7-Row, the heat capacity of coolant is orders of magnitude higher than air--particularly when there is little air flow at low speeds.

Just remember not to overcool -- you want it no colder than 180* F, and ideally no hotter than 240* F. Around 200-220 is the sweet spot.

7 row?? Lol awwww such a cute little thing!

Yeah, I would use a thermostat for that. I assume the water temp is about 180ish so that would work well.

im running a 25 row setrab oil cooler, only about 5 rows are showing, the rest covered by a metal plate since temperatures dropped to about 60 degrees here. still provides a good 10 degrees of oil cooling :)

I talked to CSF and they said it could be used as an oil cooler, but I am trying to figure out what type of connections they have. Gonna have to fab the connection lines myself.

200-220 is still hot for this car, you want 180-190... ideally.

Just my :twocents: but I'd probably just find a shop that makes hydraulic hoses and just get custom hoses made up with the right fittings on each end.

For modern synthetic oil, that's not really too hot. For dino oil, it would be pushing it. On that note, Nissan wouldn't wait until 260*F to go into limp mode if the oil viscosity was breaking down 40* earlier.

That said, you will see peak power at or below 200* F, and the ECU will start to pull a little timing over 205* F.

But... running too cold (say, 165* F), especially under high load, is generally worse than running a little hot, as far as maintaining proper lubrication.

There has been some discussion on this over on my vette forum. Interesting to note that '76 L-82 vettes, and some other model years, came from the factory with a 160 thermostat. Base engines had 180 I believe. Hotter running engines are more emissions friendly but a colder running engine is better for performance, so the debate goes on the vette forum. Knowledgeable folks, like engineers, agree that 160 is the minimum oil temp to protect the engine and 180 may be about ideal.

Keep in mind that water temp changes as it goes down the radiator core. It is significantly cooler as it exits, which is, I believe, closer to the location of the built-in core.

This is really the same idea as the factory oil cooler in the MY 12+, but it should have a much higher cooling capacity.