oil cooler question

[BobY47]

can I use an automotive aftermarket type transmission oil cooler (like the B&M stacked plate type I have on my cars and jeep) as an engine oil cooler unit on my XS1100? I use Mobil syn 15-50, is the oil viscocity of m/c engine oil an issue - would it "clog up" a trans oil cooler unit? any difference in characteristics of conventional oil vs synthetic oil in regards to this application? anybody tried or used it? good idea? bad idea?? just looking at catalog pictures and wondering... thx

[XS1100_OEM4ME]

Trans

Trans coolers are designed for light weight trans fl. the rate of flow is set up for that light fl. I would keep to an oil cooler designed for the heavy weight oil of the motor to insure it doesnt restrict the rate of flow, better to have lots of oil flow, then cooler restricted oil flow IMHO

can I use an automotive aftermarket type transmission oil cooler (like the B&M stacked plate type I have on my cars and jeep) as an engine oil cooler unit on my XS1100? I use Mobil syn 15-50, is the oil viscocity of m/c engine oil an issue - would it "clog up" a trans oil cooler unit? any difference in characteristics of conventional oil vs synthetic oil in regards to this application? anybody tried or used it? good idea? bad idea?? just looking at catalog pictures and wondering... thx

[crazy steve]

I don't think the oil viscosity would be a big issue as long as the cooler has at least 5/16" ID lines, but the size of the cooler and the pressure drop (internal friction) across it might be. Too much drop is bad and you don't want too large, as you do have to at least reach a minimum temp to boil out some contaminates. I'd check with their tech department before going anywhere with this one...

[TopCatGr58]

I misread Steve's ID size notation....5/16" ...which is actually smaller than 3/8". The size I've found on many Trans. Oil coolers is 3/8" hose barb fittings, and that's the size I used when making the SOFCA's and attaching the hose barbs. Several folks have used the SOFCA's with these size fittings with no problems.

I do NOT know what type of cooler they used....Engine Oil or Trans Oil? Some used the OEM coolers that came with their machines but wanted the SPIN on function of the SOFCA. I believe that a few got the small trans coolers both because of size and fitting for the frame.

Bob, the other question is do you have the cooler adapter plate, or were you going to splice into the main line running up the back of the engine?? Folks have done that, but causes hoses to be running around the engine and headers and such...possibly more risks for leaks!

T.C.

[BobY47]

my thought was to find the oil cooler adaptor plate, use trans oil hi temp hoses, the 3/8 hoses and barbs - the fairing mounting brackets provide a very favorable mounting place for the cooler unit (they come in several sizes and capacities) with good airflow over the cooler - I can relocate the horn easily to remove that airflow obstruction. if the internal oil passage tubes are 5/16, has anyone dissected a dedicated engine oil cooler to see how big the internal oil passage tubes are on those? if I contact the trans oil cooler mfg's, I am sure they will advise against it and not give an objective comparison of cooling flows and capacity (liability concerns, etc). I am curious about this issue but not decided to do it until I see/hear if someone else on this board has done it successfully. THX.

[XS1100_OEM4ME]

Jat

Well like I said, JAT You have a motor that works fine and a cooler made for a completly different thing, heck, you MIGHT be fine to use a radiator off a model "T" as a oil cooler, then again maybe not Why take a chance useing a part designed for something completly different, when you don't "NEED" too

Trans coolers are designed for light weight trans fl. the rate of flow is set up for that light fl. I would keep to an oil cooler designed for the heavy weight oil of the motor to insure it doesnt restrict the rate of flow, better to have lots of oil flow, then cooler restricted oil flow IMHO

[Laptop_geek]

My largest concern would be the pressure drop through the cooler, if its designed for a fluid with a lower viscosity then there would be a large pressure drop that the oil pump may not be able to handle, if that happens then you will starve your engine of oil (this is a worst case scenario and I don't think this would happen).

From what I could find it looks like synthetic trans fluid (all I could find a number for) has about 1/3 the viscosity of SAE 50 motor oil. I don't think this would cause great problem as pressure drop is only loosely dependent on viscosity. I think using a trans cooler would work out fine, I would do more research on it before i implemented it though, but it maybe a good thing to think about.

What is wrong with just using an oil cooler?

EDIT: If you gave me some numbers to work with I could do some more looking into this and maybe able to give you a better answer, if its something you want to look into further.

[cywelchjr]

The cooler in the oil system will not affect oil pressure if used in the normal fashion as it's used normally right after, or right before the oil filter, so it's just part of the oil passage, so it's nothing more than a bunch of extra pipe, that happens to cool the oil. If done the right way though, there ought to be a thermal switch that only puts oil through the cooler when it gets hot enough to need cooling, as otherwise the oil might not get hot enough to get the contaminants out of it.

[natemoen]

The cooler in the oil system will not affect oil pressure if used in the normal fashion as it's used normally right after, or right before the oil filter, so it's just part of the oil passage, so it's nothing more than a bunch of extra pipe, that happens to cool the oil. If done the right way though, there ought to be a thermal switch that only puts oil through the cooler when it gets hot enough to need cooling, as otherwise the oil might not get hot enough to get the contaminants out of it.

So how 'bout that oil cooler Cy

[DCracer25]

oil cooler

My 81 xs1100 venture came with an oil cooler from the factory and the lines going to the oil cooler are 1/2 inch outside diam. Steel tubing into braded hose to the oil cooler. And you can get oil coolers from any race shop in almost any size.

[cywelchjr]

So how 'bout that oil cooler Cy

I've got a box for it. I'll get out there this week and pack it up. Then when I get my disability check I'll go down and mail it, but could you PM me your address again? I lost it in the problems with .org.

[bcknblkbird]

does a oil cooler require more oil ?

[natemoen]

does a oil cooler require more oil ?

Yes it does, more lines to fill so more oil is needed.

[bcknblkbird]

how much more?

[motoman]

Owners manual shows 4.4qts/4.2L with oil cooler. That's for the Venturer with the factory oil cooler.