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My comments below. Toby Erkson air_cooled_nut@pobox.com <-- Please use this address for email '72 VW Squareback 1.6L bored and stroked to 2.0L, Berg five-speed '75 Porsche 914 1.8L, ORPCA member '95 VW Jetta GL 2.0L, boringly bone-stock Portland, Oregon, http://www.pobox.com/~toby_erkson/ > -----Original Message----- > Was just wondering about an oil cooler kit. How they are for fitment? > Any major machining required? A secondary oil cooler (oil pre-cooler) is particularly difficult to mount inconspicuously in the Type III. I was 4[ÓG Type IV 2.0L stock oil cooler mounted horizontally on my left rear lower shock mount. On a trip up to the Zion Nat'l Park in Utah I discovered that the pre-cooled *did* make a difference in helping keep my big engine cool. Not a lot, but definitely measurable. However, it wasn't enough and it's location -- close to the road -- wasn't ideal (I did have a protective front screen on it). If I could've mounted it on the roof in a strong, steady air stream I *know* that would've helped keep the oil even cooler but it wouldn't have looked cool in that location :) I am now going with a Mesa 48-plate oil cooler with thermostatically switched fan. Every single person I've talked with has sworn by the Mesa coolers (they come in several sizes). These are far better than any simple tub-n-fin style because of the greater surface area provided for cooling. They are a radiator. I haven't installed it yet nor do I currently know where I'm going to put it but I will update the list as I go. Location of any pre-cooler is difficult, cosmetically and functionally. At the bottom of the front spare tire area with the access port off (used in replacing the shift rod) and the spare tire pan removed allows good air flow, you just need to route the oil lines so they are safe from damage and you use a lot of oil. Not cheap if you're using synthetic! One popular area is directly above the tranny. Not my favorite spot as this area gets pretty hot due to the tranny. I'm not sure of the air flow characteristics in this void either but blowing hot air on the tranny doesn't sound very nice to me. Porsche 911 cars use the front right fender, behind the headlight. This is a good spot since air can be brought in from the front faŤade (facade if this doesn't print right). Naturally, there is a sealed and louvered barrier behind it. Some things to remember: 1. The higher the pre-cooler is above the road the cooler the air flowing through it will be. 2. Ideally, the pre-cooler should be located in a *constant* stream of air, 5Kă< stock one. Realistically this is impossible, particularly if you're the unlucky sap stuck in Houston "rush-hour" traffic during the tail-end of a heat wave. 3. Keep the stock oil cooler installed and functional. It is your backup, just in case. 4. The pre-cooled oil should return back into the main oil line that feeds the stock oil cooler. This insures the oil isn't too thick and blows the stock cooler or an oil plug. If you have properly installed a full flow oil filter system then this isn't an issue as the pre-cooler can tap into the return line. This also benefits the pre-cooler in case the engine eats itself as the particles will get trapped in the filter and not in your pre-cooler. 5. Use a thermostat to route the oil from the oil filter to the pre-cooler. If the oil is cold then it will bypass the pre-cooler. Once it becomes hot the thermostat will direct all the oil to the pre-cooler. Doing so will protect the pre-cooler from rupture when the oil is cold and allow the oil to quickly warm up to engine operating temperature. Oil thermostats are set to operate around 170-deg. F. I got mine from CB Performance but I know many Porsche companies sell them (at an inflated price...). > Living in Florida, I think it may be a > wise investment. If the engine is stock and in good running condition an oil pre-cooler isn't necessary. > Also, I would like to go with a real oil filter - i.e. external spin-on > type. Any votes for best / easiest? Gene Berg Enterprises (http://www.geneberg.com/) has the only Type III friendly full flow oil filter system I know of. DON'T USE A BOLT-ON KIT! It puts the oil filter directly in the waste heat of the cooling system and they will also lower oil pressure. Some clearancing of the rear engine mount will be required at the location where it covers the oil pump cover. You will also need to find a place to put the filter, see my location at 'http://www.icbm.org/erkson/personal/bumper.jpg'. It is possible to install the system with the engine still in the caV”}˙ is far easier to do if the procedure is done during an engine rebuild. Complete instructions come with the kit. ------------------------------------------------------------------- List info at http://www.vwtype3.org/list or mailto:help@vwtype3.org