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AC radiator -> oil cooler?

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Old 09-02-08, 12:01 AM
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AC radiator -> oil cooler?

Can you turn the AC radiator into a larger oil cooler? Or are the lines too small? I was doing some stripping down + had a thought.
Old 09-02-08, 07:33 AM
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Just looking at the two- and never having tried it- I'd imagine that the pressure drop through the larger AC unit would be considerably higher than the stock cooler.
Old 09-02-08, 09:18 AM
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What have you done to your car that makes you think you need more oil cooling? The stock coolers are far better than most oil coolers in modern cars. What are you oil temps now? Cooler oil is not always better either. The stock cooler also has a thermostat to keep the oil from getting too hot. You would have to eith run an aftermarket oil t-stat, or not run one at all which is not good. These are just a few things to think about BEFORE even considering if the AC condensor itself would even work.
Old 09-02-08, 09:50 AM
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Originally Posted by Shainiac
The stock cooler also has a thermostat to keep the oil from getting too hot.
Actually, the stock cooler's thermostat bypasses (mostly) the cooler, which forces the oil to get up to temp faster.
In other words, it doesn't keep the oil from running too hot, it keeps it from running too cold.
Old 09-02-08, 02:44 PM
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DOH! Dylexia strikes again. I MEANT to say too cold, but my proof reading skills fail. The thermostat is to help warm the car up and to keep the oil at opperating temps. Thanks Clokker.
Old 09-02-08, 02:47 PM
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The main problem I see is that the inlet/outlet pipes on the condenser are way too small.
Old 09-04-08, 05:38 PM
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Ah. I figured they were too small + that there's a ton of other **** in the way. Just an idea I had though.
Old 09-04-08, 05:48 PM
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Funny thing though, I know of several people that use AC condensors as automatic tranny coolers for dirt track enduro cars. Since Enduros are basically demo dirbys in a circle, the mount them behind the driver with an e-fan. Takes all kinds I guess.




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