My newly rebuilt 1.6L engine(a 1992 engine) ran hot from the get-go, although it also had a GT28(BBB turbo) installed at the same time. Previously to the engine swap my NA '93 engine also ran warm and I could get the coolant gauge to hit 3/4 rather easily after 2+ hot laps on a warm day.
The biggest single drop in coolant temps occurred after installing the oil cooler and thermostat purchased from FM. I believe the thermostat is a Mocal and the oil cooler was a Setrab, even though they list Mocal on their site(Setrab makes great coolers too so I am not complaining one bit). While I still do NOT have aftermarket oil and coolant temp gauges installed I did notice my coolant temps were immediately MUCH cooler, likely because the oil temps were pegged before the cooler addition - likely at or near 260*. For the record I broke the engine in with Valvoline straight weight SAE30 for the first 1000 miles. I am not running Mobil1 10w30. Even after switching to Mobil1 there was no noticeable decrease in coolant temps and the coolant gauge would read between 1/2 and 3/4 hot ALL the time, even just cruising around town or on the freeway @ speed. I did not switch to Mobil1 until after I installed the oil cooler, fyi. IMO an oil cooler is a MUST for any hard run turbo, whether it be driven on track or just a hard driven daily driver. The second biggest decrease in coolant temps occurred after I installed the big spal fan coupled with the smaller spal fan + 2/3'rds Cobra fan shroud (sold through FCM). After that my coolant temps were stable and never went above 1/2 way until 3+ several hard laps @ the track and even then the coolant temps would drop back below 1/2 if I turned my heater on. FYI I still have the AC condenser in the car and have done minimal shrouding around the radiator. I run with a trimmed belly pan and have a cover on top/in front of the radiator blocking air from going over the radiator. I have a heat extraction hood so the only two big mods left for me to do is to install my aquamist water injection kit and possibly a coolant reroute, but to be honest I do not see cylinder #4 running significantly warmer as I have checked several times @ the track with my IR temp gun on both sides of the block. I am also running Evans NPG-R to avoid hot spots in the head(primary cause of detonation). I believe the WI should dramatically decrease my engine temps because I am seeing 860*celcius temps on track, sometimes closer to 900*(yikes). Here is a post showing where I mounted my oil cooler - there are no pics of the cooler installed, but basically it is right behind the naca duct and is mounted to the bumper supports and to the frame in 3 spots using some 1/8" aluminum bar stock. http://forum.miata.net/vb/showpost.php?p=2801850&postcount=4 Mike -------------- Original message ---------------------- From: "Dan Wink" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Hello, > > > > Looking for some advise on adding an oil cooler to my turbo 91. I live in > Maine and have not had any heat issues (running the BEGI scooper), but would > like some additional insurance for track days. I think a thermostat would > be important as the car does see some cool weather action in the spring and > fall. > > > > I know that Moss has a couple of kits, the cheaper one has a thermostat but > appears to be a little cheap, the more expensive setup looks better quality > wise, but no t-stat. > > > > What are you guys running for coolers? > > > > FYI, > > > > Running a BEGI series 3 with a 2860RS, Link, 550cc RC 247 RWHP @ 14 PSI > > > > Thanks for any advice. > _______________________________________________ Miatapower mailing list [email protected] http://list.miatapower.net/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/miatapower
