This post documents the installation of an engine external oil cooler for a Porsche 944 race car. The race car has manual steering. The external cooler was placed in the right side cavity where the power steering pump and windshield washer solution tank would is normally occupying the space. The engine block had an sandwich oil filter plate and does not bypass the internal water/oil cooler But, later year blocks for 944S and 951, the factory oil adapter is used which bypasses the internal water/oil cooler.

My material sources for oil cooler, plumbing, mounting brackets was BAT Inc.; for mini oil temp sensor block on the outlet of oil cooler was Improved Racing; air-side inlet housing to oil cooler has options available on internet; front air dam inlet was a dual opening duct with 3" openings mounted for oil cooler and brake duct cooling.

The oil cooler was a MOCAL HD 235 matrix with 16 rows, 16 rows because I had purchased a 16 row air-side inlet planning to use a different cooler. I believe 13 row could be used for NA 8v motor but not high hp turbo or S2.

The braided hose and AN fittings were -12 but you could use -10 with low restrictive pressure fittings. I used a rubber hose about the OD if the braided hose to mock up fitting needed and hose length required. Mounting the oil cooler and the temp sensor block were done first. Angular fitting selection is required.l

KOTUL was used to insert the braided hose into the AN fitting. To cut the hose to length, tapethe braided hose with electrical tape on middle if the cut line, secure in the vice with the removable aluminum jaws for cutting hose, and cut with a high quality 32 tooth hack saw blade.

The fittings to the oil cooler inlet and outlet are to be installed before connecting the other fitting. I did not follow that advice and almost cross-threaded the lower inlet fitting of the oil cooler. I was able to recover from that mistake

Oil filter sandwich plate came with -12 AN fittings

Dual duct inlet, LH (black) oil cooler, RH (orange) brake cooling

Mounted oil cooler, bottom inlet, top outlet

Air-side inlet box mounted to oil cooler, 3\" rd inlet fits directly to dual duct 3" rd outlet

Top-side plumbing with mini temp sensor block

Under-side plumbing

Under-side plumbing
.

 

Looking good good good

 

Why not just use an oil filter console from a 951 so you wouldn't have to use one of those sandwich adapters? Those aftermarket adapters look restrictive compared to the oe turbo/S2 design, and now you've got more potential failure points.

 

Curious to see what your oil temps will be ???
I have a large Lindsey Racing front bumper mounted oil cooler and i saw a 20 F degree temp difference between the three differeent
mesh screens i tried.Unless it's directly in the wind you're going to lose a lot of cooling capacity.

Keep us posted on the results !

Cheers
Phil

 

Hi Phil,
The external oil cooler's air-side cooling duct mounted to the oil cooler is directly connected to the one of the nlet dual duct mounted in the front RH side of front valence/air dam. The oil cooler IS NOT mounted in front of the radiator opening. The exit of the cooling air from the oil cooler flows between the wheel well and the exhaust headers.

 

I could have but the engine block came with the sandwich oil filter adapter. The block could have accepted the 951 console but I was not aware of the adapter until after the engine was installed. The new engine is a 2.8L stroker 8v.

 

Ah Ha ... a cheater engine ... lol

Cheers
Phil

 

Hi Phil,
You are prespective. This is the engine for SVRA, need to registered it as 2.7L with oversize pistons, then all "legal."
I wish I could use the Milledge high lift camshaft (have one) but do not have a transaxle to match that hp.

Searching for 944S or 951 transaxle for 2023. Need the USA stock market to recover to previous highs. Maybe Biden will take his dunce cap off.

Cheers,
Tom

 

"Searching for 944S or 951 transaxle for 2023."
The 944S trans is same strength build as 944.

You want either a 944S2 trans or 951 (88-89 Turbo S) trans for the strongest stock transmissions.
S2 is lower gearing (higher numerical), and I'm sure you know the Turbo trans ratios.

 

I just used the S-2 oil cooler bracket and the S-2 cooler. I had my semi-local Aeroquip dealer help with the fittings and the hoses. I ran blue AQ lines to the cooler and mounted it in the air inlet in front of the A/C condenser. I put a screen in front of the cooler to protect it from rocks. Works fine, adds about 4 quarts to the capacity.