Has anyone installed an oil cooler on thier Prairie ??? I would think that it is do able, & that it would take alot of pressure off the currently marginal cooling system ???

I'm currently installing a Dodge Neon radiator ( very similar to the Prairie radiator, but about 50% bigger )... I damaged my stock radiator, & have repaired it 3 - 4 times... I'm not spending the money they want for a new one, only to get something too small again... this radiator requires the installation of an aftermarket temp gauge ( I ordered a highlifter temp gauge, it mounts in the hose )... I plan on putting in the FST 750 kit later on, but want my cooling system built to handle it first...

our 300 Prairie has an oil cooler, so I'd think one similar, or an automotive or motorcycle unit could be put on easily... I haven't looked at where to hook up the oil lines, I'll need to pull out the bible ( repair manual ) to see what will work ... WAM

 

I thought this was going to be difficult... but creativity & NYROC'S web site save the day... I looked up oil filter cross refferences on Nyrocs site, after I found no good place to hook up an oil cooler... 4-5 mazda motors use the same filter... we can order a remote filter spin on adaptor, that will go where the oil filter goes... run the remote filter line through an oil cooler, then through a remote mounted filter ( at this point any remote filter application can be used ) & then route the filtered oil back to the adaptor...

there is room for all of these components under the stock plastic... this could increase the oil capacitiy, with both a larger filter, & the inline cooler... this could cool the engine nearly as much as the radiator does...

the one remote filter adaptor that I looked at was less than $15.00, so this could be accomplished for less than $100.00 total... this could really help the true mudder, desert racer etc...

what do you guys think ...???...WAM

 

Sounds good.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img] So would this go in front of the radiatior? Would this cause the P650 to run to cool?
thanks

 

at this point the cooler could be mounted anywhere... there is definately room in front of the radiator... there are also those stamped plate oil coolers that are supposed to be more durable than the tube & fin type... they could even be mounted in the wheel well, where they would be easy to wash out, or back by the rear shock, or on you front rack ( unless a check valve or ??? was added, the cooler should probably be mounted lower than your engine dip stick... but now that I think about it, the one in our 300 Prairie is mounted over the top of the cylinder ) ???

 

NB, can you send me the info on the parts you found? It sounds like a good idea to me and I like the idea of being able to have a wider filter selection and the added capacity. Let us know how the neon radiator works out.

Would a check valve be needed to mount the cooler few inches above the motor because it is a pressurized system? I imagine that the oil pump could move it without difficulty, but I'm not an expert by any means. If someone knows otherwise, speak up.

I'll look at the manual and see if there is any info on the oil pressure.

Peace,
SgtRock

 

SGTROCK... as per NYROC's web site... an oil filter from a 1994 Mazda MX-3 V-6 motor, or an RX-7, or a Miata, will fit on our motor... I just did a search on the web for "Mazda remote oil filter"... many many sites came up... one of the sites had the spin on adaptor for $13.99...WAM

 

It was suggested, & I think I like the idea of mounting the cooler under the front rack... the oil lines could be run through the access by the radiator cap or even through the top slit in the plastic grill in front, with out looking bad, or drilling any holes in that expensive plastic...( it could be completely consealed, if holes were drilled under the front rack )

a check valve will need to be installed ( more than likely ) to keep the oil level where it belongs in the crankcase...so far I've been looking at automotive coolers, but motorcycle units or other ATV units would work as well...I'm thinking a basic transmission cooler could be the cheapest route to go...

I may have hoses made up at the local hose supplier, for a more durable & custom fit, rather hose clamping all the ends ???

I haven't decided on what type of filter to use yet on the remote mount ( which type of mount to purchase yet ) for you, it may be the same filters you already purchase for your car or bike ???

what do you guys think ??? WAM

 

Sound like a good plan. After you've done it could you put together a parts list for the rest of us. Or if you have some time take orders and sell them as kits. Because these engines are finicky (sp?) about the amount of oil in them I think a check valve might be a necessity if you mount it higher than the level in the cases. Also the amount extra needed will probably be trial and error to get it right. One of those stamped plate coolers sound good for us mudders.

 

On another forum, NYROC has expressed concern about problems with the oil pump... I, myself, have never heard of any, but a look in the manual, shows the pump to be of sound design... I think that running too thick of oil, or too thin of oil, could be the cause of these reported problems... I have found a thermostatically controlled cooler, that I'm looking at, the cooler, when the thermostat is closed only diverts 90% of the oil though the filters only, keeping 10% going through the cooler, to eliminate cavitation... I think the installation of an oil pressure gauge, & the use of synthetic oil ( after full breakin of course ), will suplement & help "tune" the cooling system, during developement... it is my goal, to have the bugs worked out of this system & have it installed for proveing during the 12 hours of America ATV race... WAM