s oil cooler on a non s?

[boxster]

I was considering doing a 986 s oil cooler on my base 986, but my mechanic told me he can't see there being much benefit in doing it on a 2.5 car. He said it makes more sense to change the thermostat to one that makes the fans kick in earlier, to help the engine and oil stay cooler, since the oil cooler has water coolant passing through it. Any opinions? Does anyone think that a bigger oil cooler on a base model still help cool oil better?

[JFP in PA]

Ignore your mechanic and install the S oil cooler. Even without the low temp stat, the S oil cooler has nearly twice the surface area for shedding heat to the coolant, which will lower your oils normal operating temps, improving the oil's life expectancy. Adding the low temp stat makes it that much better. These are two of the best low cost mods you can do for the car.

[boxster]

Originally Posted by JFP in PA

Ignore your mechanic and install the S oil cooler. Even without the low temp stat, the S oil cooler has nearly twice the surface area for shedding heat to the coolant, which will lower your oils normal operating temps, improving the oil's life expectancy. Adding the low temp stat makes it that much better. These are two of the best low cost mods you can do for the car.

If I had to get the S cooler, is there a specific year that will fit my car? Mine I a 99 model. I heard that some cars had a slightly different cooler than others.

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by boxster

If I had to get the S cooler, is there a specific year that will fit my car? Mine I a 99 model. I heard that some cars had a slightly different cooler than others.

Only the very earliest 2.5L cars (1997 and early 1998) had an odd ball setup that used and adaptor plate between the oil cooler and the engine, and these also lack the small upper return line running from the top of the cooler to your surge tank in the trunk. Yours should not be that way, but you can easily check on it by looking at the existing cooler.

[rem503]

I just added a 'S' oil cooler to my base 2000 model this winter per JFP's recommendation. I can't wait to reap the benefits.

I am already running the low temp stat since my last water pump swap/maintenance three years ago.

[kk2002s]

Originally Posted by rem503

I am already running the low temp stat since my last water pump swap/maintenance three years ago.

Did you notice significant running temp drops?
I'm just having a hard time accepting my preliminary observations

[boxster]

Originally Posted by JFP in PA

Only the very earliest 2.5L cars (1997 and early 1998) had an odd ball setup that used and adaptor plate between the oil cooler and the engine, and these also lack the small upper return line running from the top of the cooler to your surge tank in the trunk. Yours should not be that way, but you can easily check on it by looking at the existing cooler.

And are the o rings a PITA to get hold of?

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by boxster

And are the o rings a PITA to get hold of?

No, any dealer can get them for you and they are not at all expensive.

[kk2002s]

So along those lines.
I replaced WP, low temp thermo, Flushed coolant and replace with Pink.
Last weekend I finally got to drive for several hours.
Using the Torque app:
I was seeing temps 10- 20 degrees cooler (Outside temps were in low 40's)
On the Hwy (1/2 hour at 75-80 mph) I use to see rock steady 193 degrees
I was now seeing rock solid 174 degrees
The gauge was always above the 180 mark, now it was running a bit under the 180 mark
Driving stop and go, low speeds, lots of shifting, higher RPMs - mid 180s
At stops, it would creep into low 190s. As soon as I started again back to mid 180s
It will be interesting to see how the temps behave when it 90s outside

[boxster]

Originally Posted by kk2002s

So along those lines.
I replaced WP, low temp thermo, Flushed coolant and replace with Pink.
Last weekend I finally got to drive for several hours.
Using the Torque app:
I was seeing temps 10- 20 degrees cooler (Outside temps were in low 40's)
On the Hwy (1/2 hour at 75-80 mph) I use to see rock steady 193 degrees
I was now seeing rock solid 174 degrees
The gauge was always above the 180 mark, now it was running a bit under the 180 mark
Driving stop and go, low speeds, lots of shifting, higher RPMs - mid 180s
At stops, it would creep into low 190s. As soon as I started again back to mid 180s
It will be interesting to see how the temps behave when it 90s outside

And you still have original oil cooler?

[kk2002s]

Originally Posted by boxster

And you still have original oil cooler?

Yes but I have an S car, so larger version.
During my Coolant work I did go ahead and replace the 'O' rings for the cooler.