1997 S oil cooler install

[truegearhead]

I'm about to install an S oil cooler on my 97 2.5 and seem to remember the 97 Boxsters needing an adaptor to allow the S cooler to fit (other years don't). I've searched and can't find any reference to this though, am I going crazy here?

[JFP in PA]

Many of the early 97's used an adaptor plate underneath the oil cooler that the later cars did not use, and the OEM oil cooler also lacked the air purge line coming off the cooler and going to the coolant tank in the boot.

[truegearhead]

Originally Posted by JFP in PA

Many of the early 97's used an adaptor plate underneath the oil cooler that the later cars did not use, and the OEM oil cooler also lacked the air purge line coming off the cooler and going to the coolant tank in the boot.

Thanks, so as long as I remove the adaptor plate I'm fine?

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by truegearhead

Thanks, so as long as I remove the adaptor plate I'm fine?

I do not think that you can do that. I believe the early 2.2L had a different mounting layout than the later engines that did not use the plate ( I have not seen one of these in several years).

[brewerbry]

I installed a "S" cooler on my '97 2.5 (tip tranny). I had to use the adapter plate (which was not originally on the car - had to purchase it plus the cooler). The new cooler has the vent on top and the '97's do not have a connection for it so I simply plugged the vent (used a rubber plug and hose clamp) that has worked for 2 years including some track time and all is good. I am not sure the addition of the "S" cooler really helps much - it is not much larger than the stock unit (at least on my '97 tip). It might help if your original cooler is clogged or comes from a car that was neglected.

[truegearhead]

The picture below shows a 1997 oil cooler vs an S oil cooler. There doesn't seem to be that much of a difference. Is the 1997 oil cooler larger?

[Lemming]

I added the S cooler to my '99 with a '97 engine and the adapter was necessary. I to plugged the vent line with no problems to date.

[78F350]

Putting a 1997 engine in an '01 and I ran across a difference I didn't expect. In the 2001, there's a hose that goes from the coolant tank to the oil cooler. In the 1997 that hose goes to a hard-line that the front of the engine under the AC compressor. That hard-line does not exist on the '01.

I plan to put an "S" oil cooler on the car. What is the best practice?
I'm thinking of:

• Swapping the cover from the '01 onto the '97 engine where the hard line connects. (Eliminate the hard-line since it has some internal corrosion)
• Redirecting the hose that connected to the hard-line to the top of the new "S" cooler.
• I still need to get a look and see what the status is of the adapter plate on this engine...
• Replacement O rings ...these: 2 (35 X 4 mm), 2 (26 X 3 mm)
  
  For install will the "S" cooler fit under the intake easily? Anything need to be moved or loosened?

Pics:
Hard-line connection under '97 AC

Blank cover on '01

2001 Oil Cooler (Likely full of debris from #2 rod failure)

Cooler currently on '97

[JFP in PA]

The reason Porsche added the line from the top of the cooler to the surge tank in the trunk is that the oil cooler is the highest point in the cooling system, and tended to collect any air bubbles in the system, reducing the cooler's efficiency. Adding the line prevented that from happening.

[78F350]

Thanks JFP, that sounds like a good reason to move that line from under the AC to the top of the new oil cooler.