Oil coolers are useful components that help keep your engine performing at its best. They regulate the temperature of an engine’s oil, ensuring that it remains at an optimal level. Without an oil cooler, an engine can overheat and suffer from serious damage or even destruction. With the right installation and maintenance, you can extend the life of your vehicle and ensure a smooth running performance for many years to come.
With so many options to choose from, it can be hard to figure out which one is best for your car. This article looks at the different types of oil coolers available, a list of ten of the best ones on the market today, what to consider when buying one, how to use it correctly and how to choose the best one for your vehicle.
Types Of Best Oil Cooler
Oil coolers come in a variety of shapes and sizes, each with its own unique advantages. The most common types of oil coolers are air-to-oil, liquid-to-liquid, and engine mounted oil coolers.
Air-to-oil oil coolers are the most popular as they are easier to install than other types of coolers. These oil coolers use a series of aluminum fins within an open housing to increase surface area for cooling. Hot engine oil is pumped through the oil cooler which is attached to an external heat exchanger that uses air from the vehicle’s radiator to reduce the temperature of the hot oil before it enters back into the engine.
Liquid-to-liquid oil coolers use two separate fluids, such as water and glycol, to reduce engine oil temperatures. The process works by transferring heat from one fluid to another via a heat exchanger built into the cooler. Both fluids travel in separate tube systems so there is no mixing between them. This type of cooler is usually larger and more expensive than other types but can offer increased cooling power due to its ability to handle higher fluid flow rates.
Engine mounted oil coolers attach directly onto or near an engine block and use tubing or hoses that connect it directly to the engine’s existing cooling system. This type of cooler provides efficient cooling as it taps into an already existing source of cooled fluid, like water or antifreeze, which helps keep temperatures down even further. It also eliminates any need for additional plumbing, making installation simpler and quicker than other types of cooler setups.
List Of 10 Best Oil Cooler
Oil coolers are an important component for the efficient functioning of any engine. They help maintain the temperature levels of engine oil, ensuring it does not get too hot or too cold. It is therefore essential to have a reliable and high-quality oil cooler. Here’s a list of 10 best oil coolers that will ensure your vehicle runs as efficiently and smoothly as possible:
- Mishimoto MMOC-F – A great choice for any car, this Mishimoto Oil Cooler comes with 12” braided hoses and provides superior cooling capacity in all conditions.
- Perma-Cool 12205 – This Perma-Cool Oil Cooler is made from aircraft grade aluminum which makes it lightweight yet durable and provides optimum performance in all weather conditions.
- Derale 13400 – This Derale Oil Cooler is designed to fit tight spaces, making it ideal for small vehicles, and features turbulators inside the tubes that maximize heat transfer for better cooling performance.
- B&M 70268 – This B&M Oil Cooler comes with threaded fittings on both sides, allowing for easy installation and boasts a unique fin design that improves heat transfer efficiency.
- Flex-a-Lite 1184 – This Flex-a-Lite Oil Cooler has been designed to meet OEM specifications and features 3/8″ NPT ports for use on both manual transmissions and engines that require low pressure cooling systems.
- Hayden Automotive 517 – The Hayden Automotive Oil Cooler is a great choice due to its corrosion resistant build, lightweight design, and universal mount system that allows you to install it in almost any location on your vehicle’s frame or chassis.
- Melling OC38 – The Melling OC38 Oil Cooler offers excellent performance even under extreme temperatures thanks to its heavy duty construction and wide fins that enhance heat dissipation capabilities by up to 20%.
- Dorman 918-254 – Designed to provide maximum protection against heat damage, this Dorman Oil Cooler features full aluminum construction for extra durability along with an adjustable mounting bracket which lets you fit it into small spaces without sacrificing performance or quality of service life longevity. 9. Spectre Performance 4211 – Perfectly suited for high flow applications such as racing engines, this Spectre Performance Oil Cooler uses advanced fan technology to keep temperatures within optimal ranges while protecting engine components from excessive wear due to high temperatures.
10 Autobest F1205A – Featuring a multi-pass design which increases its heat transfer capabilities, the Autobest F1205A Oil Cooler is also leak tested during production so you can be sure of its quality before installation on your vehicle’s engine block or transmission case.
What To Consider When Buying Best Oil Cooler
When shopping for the best oil cooler, there are several important factors to consider. The size of the cooler should be determined by the amount of oil that needs to be cooled and the type of vehicle it is being used in. Additionally, it is important to consider how much air circulation and flow will be needed, as well as what kind of temperature control system is necessary.
When looking at different types of oil coolers, it is essential to make sure they are made from durable materials such as aluminum or stainless steel that can withstand harsh temperatures and heavy use. Additionally, some coolers come with built-in fans that can help increase air circulation and provide more efficient cooling.
It is also important to factor in any additional features such as filters that can help reduce sediment buildup which can damage engine components over time. Finally, you should look for a cooler with a warranty and customer service that can provide support if there are any issues down the road.
How To Use Best Oil Cooler
Using the best oil cooler is important to ensure there’s no overheating in your engine. It helps to regulate the temperature of lubrication oil and prevent it from becoming too hot, which can cause serious damage. To use an oil cooler effectively, it’s important to select one that is suited for your particular engine and its needs.
The first step is to make sure you have enough space for the cooler and that it fits properly in the engine bay. Once installed, you’ll need to connect it securely with the hoses and check for any leaks or other issues. You should also inspect all of the connecting hoses regularly for signs of wear and tear.
It’s important that you keep a close eye on the temperature of your lubrication oil when using a best oil cooler as well as checking that it is circulating correctly throughout your vehicle. The ideal temperature range for most engines is between 180-200 degrees Fahrenheit. If you notice any unusual fluctuations in temperature, reduce power or speed until it returns to normal.
Additionally, be sure to replace the oil filter routinely according to manufacturers’ recommendations – this will help prolong the life of your engine by keeping debris and contaminants out of your lubrication system.
In order to get maximum performance out of your best oil cooler, be sure to use high-grade motor oils specifically designed for cooling applications. These are typically thinner than conventional motor oils and provide better protection against heat buildup while still providing maximum lubrication and wear protection. When changing or servicing your oil cooler, always ensure all parts are clean before reassembly – this includes all seals, gaskets, and hose connections.
Finally, maintain regular maintenance checks on your vehicle so that any potential problems with your best oil cooler can be identified quickly before they become major issues down the line. If done correctly, using an oil cooler can help extend the life of both new and older vehicles considerably – however if not taken care of properly, it can result in costly repairs or even complete engine failure over time.
How To Choose The Best Oil Cooler
Choosing the best oil cooler for your vehicle is an essential part of maintaining its performance. There are several factors that should be considered in order to make sure you are getting the most out of your investment.
The first step when considering the best oil cooler is to determine what type of cooler your engine requires. The two main types of coolers are air-cooled and liquid-cooled coolers, each with its advantages and disadvantages.
Air-cooled coolers are more cost-effective and tend to provide more efficient cooling, but they can easily become clogged with debris or dirt over time, requiring frequent cleaning and maintenance. Liquid-cooled coolers require more expensive upkeep, but they are often much more effective at dissipating heat from the engine components than air-cooled coolers.
When selecting a specific oil cooler, it is important to consider the size of your engine and the type of fluid it uses for lubrication. Different engines require different amounts of oil and this should be taken into account when buying an oil cooler so that it has enough capacity to accommodate the necessary amount of oil.
Additionally, some engines may work better with synthetic oils while others may require conventional motor oils. It is important to check with your vehicle’s manual or a technician to ensure that you choose an appropriate oil cooler for your engine’s needs.
It is also important to consider how much cooling capacity a particular engine needs before purchasing an oil cooler. Cooling capacity is typically measured by BTU (British Thermal Units) per hour and will vary depending on the size and type of engine as well as any additional components such as turbochargers or intercoolers which may affect cooling requirements.
A larger capacity oil cooler will provide more efficient cooling for larger engines, but too large of a cooler could lead to unnecessary costs if not correctly sized for use in a given application.
Finally, when selecting an oil cooler it is important to look at build quality and reliability ratings from reputable sources such as Consumer Reports or JDPower before making a purchase decision.
Quality materials and construction will ensure that the cooler operates efficiently over long periods of time without issues due to corrosion or wear and tear from regular use or exposure to extreme temperatures or conditions.
Reliability ratings will also help identify any potential problems reported by other users so you can make sure you get the most out of your purchase without worrying about costly repairs down the line!
Conclusion
In conclusion, the best oil cooler is a great investment for any vehicle. It helps to reduce wear and tear on your engine, as well as decreasing temperatures to ensure that the engine runs more efficiently. There are many types of oil coolers available, so it’s important to consider all the options before deciding what type is best for you.
Additionally, you should pay attention to factors such as size, design, price and quality when selecting an oil cooler. With research and consideration, you can find the perfect oil cooler for your car or truck and enjoy improved performance for years to come.