Power steering cooler and engine oil cooler sizing
 

I am in the process of adding a power steering cooler and oil cooler to my 01 Camaro with ls1. I autocross and track this car, but I also drive it on the street. I am fabing a horizontal mount behind the radiator for the oil and power steering cooler. When I am street driving the car I plan on blocking off the oil cooler and power steering cooler. Everything I have read states without a thermostat is hard to keep the temps where they need to be. This is why I am mounting the horizontally behind the radiator so I will be able to block them off. The question I have is what size cooler will I need? I am in the south and in the summer time is very hot. I will be racing in 95 degree weather for 20 min session.

Thanks for your help

chase

I too read the comments about oil thermostat controls not working well on the street. However, my Improved Racing thermostat works AWESOME! It begins to open at 180* and fully opens at 200*. On the street with mild driving it hangs out right around 190* on the gauge all day long. Their thermostats really work. Also, other than the first start of the day, the oil warms up quickly. I can drive to an atuocross and let the car sit for 2 hours and it will only take about 5 minute for the oil to warm up to be over 150* and usually the time I'm up to the start line it is 180*+

If you are running an air to oil cooler than I assume you are running a quality plate and fin cooler such as Setrab. For sizing your oil cooler, here is a good reference: http://www.setrabusa.com/products/oi...ine/index.html

The above cooler sizing references on Setrab's site will show oil cooler sizes *much* larger than I've seen recommended on this site. If all you are doing are street driving and autocross you can get away with a smaller cooler. If you are going to run full track days then I'd size it according to their specs.

Do you have an power steering cooler also? If so what size is it. I have looked at the improve racing stuff. If I can't get my oil Temps where they need to be I will add the thermostat.

I have a power steering cooler too.

It is a tube and fin style like a typical cheap aftermarket transmission cooler and is about a foot long with a tube that travels down and back. I occasionally get a tad bit of seeping of oil out of the air pinhole in the top of the cap but I've never experienced any abnormal steering or boiled fluid.

I don't know how to size a power steering cooler but, if you want a decent sized factory unit, late 90's early 00's cadillac STS had a 12-14 " u shaped power steering cooler that sat right in front of the radiator

Ok thanks for the help.

Chase