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Wed Jul 20, 2005 5:56 am

I will be mainly streeting my buggy and wondered if the offset doghouse cooler is enough, or do I need to put an external filter and cooler on the engine in my railbuggy? Engine is an 1835, and no large sump on it either

Ronnie :)

Wed Jul 20, 2005 7:24 am

In a Rail, the doghouse cooler should be plenty for an 1835 if everything is in a good state of tune. The engine gets plenty of air back there..

I run a doghouse shroud only on my buggys fully chromed 2180cc and do not experience any overheating issues, even in 100 degree stop and go traffic.

Wed Jul 20, 2005 9:07 am

I use a simple 8 pass cooler and I did not use the oil filter. I too, run only street and highway and I haven't had any problems. Mine is a new engine, 700 miles so far and I have been changing the oil probably too often. But I figured I would change it at least twice during the buggy season so I didn't worry about the external filter. My cooler is bolted behind the fan shroud, also chrome and you can't even see it.

Peace,
<><
TC

Wed Jul 20, 2005 10:04 am

tcrdn wrote: My cooler is bolted behind the fan shroud, also chrome and you can't even see it.
Peace,
<><
TC

Does pre-heating the air going into the shroud (and over your heads) worry you? It seems to be defeating the purpose.

Wed Jul 20, 2005 10:16 am

Thought about it. Decided it wasn't that big a deal and moved on.

Actually, that is the location the 8 pass cooler is designed for and the way the mounting brackets are built on the cooler. The way I understand it, the fan brings the air in over about 45% of the oil cooler but with a stock oil cooler, the cooling air is covering 100% of the cooler. The thinking is that it's 45% but with cooler, less restricted air and the amount that it raises the cooling air flow is minimal. Whereas with a stock cooler, you are subjecting 100% of the cooling air to the hot oil. Additionally, with the 8 pass cooler, you add about 1 1/2 quarts of oil to the total capicity therefore allowing some extra cooling to occur.

If I were building an off road, high perf, high hp motor, I would probably go a different route and would certainly use the oil filter. Maybe an external with an electric fan or something. But for a street/road buggy. Late afternoon cruising, visiting friends kind of buggy like mine, I figured I am OK. I'm about to build another one and I'm looking to correct a few mistakes I made on the first one. Can't say the oil cooler deal was a mistake, but I will look for a different arrangement just to see if I can find something I like better. Suggestions?

Peace,
<><
TC

Wed Jul 20, 2005 12:13 pm

Thanx Guys :!: I'll give it a shot like it is for awhile then. I'm still thinking about the filter just so I'll have an extra qt. of oil for the little engine.

Ronnie :)

Wed Jul 20, 2005 12:34 pm

Your dog house cooler should be fone for your application and if you want more oil and a filter check out the Cb performance sump kits.http://cbperformance.com/catalog.asp?ProductID=199

Wed Jul 20, 2005 3:15 pm

I run a doghouse cooler,as well as an external cooler w/fan. Keep in mind average temp in Aridzona is 110 during the summer. I also have an thermal switch to turn the fan on/off, but during the summer, it rarely shuts off the fan. I do a lot of freeway driving, and my car is my daily driver. My oil cooler is mounted inside my car where the rear seat should be, it doubles as a heater in the winter time, I just reverse the leads for the fan. Hope this helps, Mitch.

Wed Jul 20, 2005 3:54 pm

How old is that VW? i've never seen one framed in wood before.ha-ha.

Wed Jul 20, 2005 4:17 pm

looks like walnut from the bavarian forests of germany................

Wed Jul 20, 2005 5:03 pm

Its one of those prototype kommanderwagens. :lol: You guys are too much. later,Mitch.