16 replies to this topic

[rawky]

1993 Italian Job

http://www.minispare...ty=pb&pid=34398

Hi There,

Recently I've been looking at ways to get a bit of cooling into the oil system, but don't really want to go up to a cooler because I'm only getting too hot on occasional motorway stints. The braided pipe from MiniSpares claims that it "Creates any need for an oil cooler in most cases".

I'm guessing they mean to say it negates any need for an oil cooler, but is this true or is it a gimmick? It makes sense due to increased flow but does anyone have experience of it?

Cheers

[Hughes]

It means negates.

I bought that part for my italian job. Cant say I would have noticed any improvements to the oil flow but it is a worthwhile mod to ensure the oil pipe will never blow off and the obvious issues that would create.

[samsfern]

its definately a worth while mod to do, as the standard oil transfer pipe has a nasty, messy, expensive habit of popping out, mine did on a twisty a-road, when it was raining heavily, covered the road in oil, not good, and wiped the bearings out, leaving me with an engine in need of new crank bearings and a crankshaft regrind.

Edited by samsfern, 06 September 2010 - 07:19 PM.

[Mr Joshua]

If you have a higher flow rate then the oil that is in need of cooling is spending less time in the pipe. I leave you to make up your own minds.

[rawky]

its definately a worth while mod to do, as the standard oil transfer pipe has a nasty, messy, expensive habit of popping out, mine did on a twisty a-road, when it was raining heavily, covered the road in oil, not good, and wiped the bearings out, leaving me with an engine in need of new crank bearings and a crankshaft regrind.

Is there any way to do it apart from the £50 pipe?!

If you have a higher flow rate then the oil that is in need of cooling is spending less time in the pipe. I leave you to make up your own minds.

This is the internal debate I'm having, maybe stainless steel has better conduction properties?
Who Knows!

Cheers.

[samsfern]

its definately a worth while mod to do, as the standard oil transfer pipe has a nasty, messy, expensive habit of popping out, mine did on a twisty a-road, when it was raining heavily, covered the road in oil, not good, and wiped the bearings out, leaving me with an engine in need of new crank bearings and a crankshaft regrind.

Is there any way to do it apart from the £50 pipe?!

no that i know of, sorry.

[bunch1980]

My mate replaced it on my 1275cc Sprite before I bought it of him before that it was leaking a fine mist all over the front of engine, luckily it didnt pop right off and if you see stock pipe its looks
not so up to the job this braided one looks so good to!

[Mr Joshua]

its definately a worth while mod to do, as the standard oil transfer pipe has a nasty, messy, expensive habit of popping out, mine did on a twisty a-road, when it was raining heavily, covered the road in oil, not good, and wiped the bearings out, leaving me with an engine in need of new crank bearings and a crankshaft regrind.

Is there any way to do it apart from the £50 pipe?!

If you have a higher flow rate then the oil that is in need of cooling is spending less time in the pipe. I leave you to make up your own minds.

This is the internal debate I'm having, maybe stainless steel has better conduction properties?
Who Knows!

Cheers.

Stainless like Titanium holds onto its heat. And as for a better Way I may try swagging one up in the work shop tomorrow just for the hell of it.

Edited by Mr Joshua, 06 September 2010 - 11:40 PM.

[pikey7]

This is the internal debate I'm having, maybe stainless steel has better conduction properties?
Who Knows!

Cheers.

I would imagine that the rubber that seperates the oil from the stainless steel doesn't have those properties though.

I don't see how it "negates the need for an oil cooler", but for reliabilities sakes, it's worth it.

for 99% of road spec minis, there is no real need for any system to cool the oil further. If anything it could do more harm than good. Check the water cooling system for a more effective "fix" to your hot motorway journeys.

[rawky]

This is the internal debate I'm having, maybe stainless steel has better conduction properties?
Who Knows!

Cheers.

I would imagine that the rubber that seperates the oil from the stainless steel doesn't have those properties though.

I don't see how it "negates the need for an oil cooler", but for reliabilities sakes, it's worth it.

for 99% of road spec minis, there is no real need for any system to cool the oil further. If anything it could do more harm than good. Check the water cooling system for a more effective "fix" to your hot motorway journeys.

A cooler thermostat maybe? Its got an 88C at the moment.

Making sure it has 50/50 mix? Flushing the cooling out?

Cheers

[Mal_whitby]

I'm not so sure this pipe would do anything much for oil cooling, it's stainless braided, but it's a hydraulic hose inside, i.e. some form of rubber?

It's the first I've heard of this pipe blowing off, many grasstrack and rallycross Mini's have used the standard pipe for years without problems, if it blows off it probably wasn't fitted properly. Some cars have remote oil filters and therefore have flexible hoses as a result, but many Minis in club level motorsport use the standard pipe, like mine.

[icklemini]

A cooler thermostat maybe? Its got an 88C at the moment

Wont make much differance at all - thermostat only controls the water going through to the radiator... a cooler one means it will open quicker... but the overall running temperature of the engine wont change...

It's the first I've heard of this pipe blowing off, many grasstrack and rallycross Mini's have used the standard pipe for years without problems,

The later 1275's and the SPI oil pipe is different to the 'normal' oil pipe that was fitted to minis for decades.... (which never did have a problem!)

Edited by icklemini, 07 September 2010 - 07:04 PM.

[samsfern]

rover changed the fitting, from the old banjo bolt type fitting i think you are reffering to, there was nothing wrong with the old pre 90's banjo bolt type.

[Mal_whitby]

rover changed the fitting, from the old banjo bolt type fitting i think you are reffering to, there was nothing wrong with the old pre 90's banjo bolt type.

Ah okay, apologies, I didn't realise, I must admit I was puzzled when I read about the problem, because it's the first I've heard of it, maybe because I've only ever bought cars or engines before '93.

The stainless debate is still valid though, the braiding is a protective covering, inside the pipe is some sort of rubber or composite substance, which is a very good heat insulator. Even a lot of competition Minis don't use oil coolers, I'd be surprised if any form of oil cooling is required on a road going car in the British climate.

[Gulfclubby]

If you want to cool your OIL, then why not just go for a small oil cooler? It's a job quickly done and the effect is undeniable. Then again, what do you consider hot oil?