ummmmm this is kinda an unusual idea but could i run dual oil coolers to help keep my engine(.060 over) cool this summer? would running two be overkill?
I would think one larger cooler would work better than two smaller ones. Every bend, or hose fitting creates a resistance to flow, lowering oil pressure to the motor.
I agree, and if it's running that hot, something is wrong. There's a lot of guys running overbored engines without overheating. A big radiator, good electric fan and if you want to get real fancy, an electric water pump. My personal favorite is the meziere for the 5.0l that uses the idler so the accessories still mount up. http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MEZ-WP312B/
Oil coolers run on the return side not on the pressure side so running multiple coolers will not affect oil pressure. The coolers use much larger tubes than your engine passages. It is unlikely that even running a cooler on the pressure side would affect pressure.
. In my view the "return" side would be dripping into the oil pan. The cooler is plumbed between the pump and block(and pressure sender) as far as the path of flow. Fluid dynamic theory says that every change of direction adds resistance, as well as the length of straight pipe, or hose. Each creates resistance.
Fluid dynamics also states that the size of the tubing or passage has as much to do with restriction (resistance) as does turns. The engine block is full of small oil passages and 90* turns that are intersecting smaller passages. On the other hand you have 1/2" tubing with radiused turns in a cooler. Even with two coolers you will have less resistance to flow than exists in the main oil gallery alone. The cooler has to have a high pressure side, from the pump, to a lower pressure side, the oil sender is plumbed into the pump side too so there would be no flow, so they are typically plumbed into the by-pass circuit of the oil filter which is also nearly 1/2" in diameter and returns to the pan.
To address your question, running dual engine oil coolers isn't going to net you any significant cooling, if anything the oil might remain too cool. Oil coolers usually install at the filter adapter on the block in the main oil feed from the oil pump. All of the oil going to the main gallery will go through it as long as the pressure is low enough that it will not unseat the oil filter bypass valve. 1/2" lines and fittings would be more than sufficient for a street engine running normal weight engine oil and normal oil pressure/volume. Just choose a large cooler with passages designed for engine oil coolers(I personally like the stacked plate type) and if you live where the weather cools off in the winter and you still drive your car, I'd recommend using a thermostatic type sandwich adapter that allows the cooler to be bypassed when cold so the engine doesn't starve for lubrication. Once oil gets past the oil filter and into the main gallery, all the oil clearances are restrictive by design(small) to provide oil pressure.
I started thinking about the oversized tube compensating for the restrictions as soon as I posted that.
