gearbox cooler

[jamie g]

A question for people with gearbox oil coolers; when do you switch your oil pump on?

[TuxMan]

I've fitted a thermo stat on the bottom of the box so in theory it should switch itself on and off , but I've just fitted a manual switch so I can control it myself .

[andygtt]

im simply fitting a switch so i turn it on when i'm on track.... some with the thermostat say its never swtiched on even on track which i think is why Tux has fitted a manual over-ride?

[daddysumo]

andygtt said:

im simply fitting a switch so i turn it on when i'm on track.... some with the thermostat say its never swtiched on even on track which i think is why Tux has fitted a manual over-ride?

It might be that we just don't hear them when out on track,as mine came on when on the R/R last time it was there...

[TuxMan]

as far as I know the cooler has never switched it self on !! Will probably switch it on on cool down laps and on Rolling road sessions .

[Blu3R]

Excuse my ignorance but doesn't that beg the question whether they need coolers at all then?

[TuxMan]

Suppose it depends on how much power and how hard you drive them , gearbox man recommends you fit one if you are running high power , as Steve says we probably cannot hear them running when driving hard . Tux

[hollowpockets]

I'm about to purchase a gearbox oil cooler after being recommended to by yellowshed and gearbox man. Can those who have 1. Tell me if its necessary to go front mounted or if side pod is sufficient and reasons why. 2. Where to get hoses, fittings and a nice switch/wiring? I know its Think automotive for cooler and the pump.

Have had stainless steel brackets made at my work for a side mounted cooler but might still go front mount.

Cheers

Graham

[andygtt]

the pump not only cools the oil (via the oil cooler at front) but sprays oil onto the bearing as I understand it hence failure doesnt happen.

some 6 speeders have failed on track and this cures the issue.

[funkybmx1]

Mine turn it self on threw the thermostat. And I wasn't on track just flooring it to border after one lap I switch it on. I believe it's needed

[Blu3R]

andygtt said:

the pump not only cools the oil (via the oil cooler at front) but sprays oil onto the bearing as I understand it hence failure doesnt happen.

some 6 speeders have failed on track and this cures the issue.

I see, I thought it might just be for temperature in which case I was going to suggest some kind of larger sump capacity and leave it at that instead of all the expense and extra weight.
What sort of temperature do the stats open at?

[TuxMan]

Fitted mine in the passenger side pod , much Easyer and having fitted a oil cooler for the engine at the front it's getting a bit crowded !!

[RobP]

daddysumo said:

It might be that we just don't hear them when out on track,as mine came on when on the R/R last time it was there...

You reckon it comes on, cools the oil and switches off again before you get into the pits? Unlikely, I would have thought. The noise of an oil cooler pump is pretty unmistakeable. Maybe just not getting the oil hot enough on track

[RobP]

jamie g said:

A question for people with gearbox oil coolers; when do you switch your oil pump on?

Switch it on manually before going on track once the oil is warm. It's fine to locate the cooler in the side pod, but add a fan as not a lot of air gets in on it's own above 70 mph. Don't really need to put it up front and you don't need one for daily road driving.

[daddysumo]

RobP said:

daddysumo said:

It might be that we just don't hear them when out on track,as mine came on when on the R/R last time it was there...

You reckon it comes on, cools the oil and switches off again before you get into the pits? Unlikely, I would have thought. The noise of an oil cooler pump is pretty unmistakeable. Maybe just not getting the oil hot enough on track

I am not convinced, as there is almost 1 litre of cool oil in the lines and the cooler which is dumped straight into the 2.5 litre gearbox sump almost instantly...

[jamie g]

I was spoke to the 'gearboxman'....man, and he mentioned the oil being pushed through the gearbox was important, as well as temperature. Anytime you use alot of power, you should have it switched on, not just when the oil temperature gets hot. A manual switch is probably the best answer for that.

I'm still undecided on a gearbox cooler so this is all intersting to me

[chuntington101]

andygtt said:

the pump not only cools the oil (via the oil cooler at front) but sprays oil onto the bearing as I understand it hence failure doesnt happen.

some 6 speeders have failed on track and this cures the issue.

Andy, with the above in mind would it not be worth having the pump on all the time (or getting a mech. pump) and then thermostatically controlling the flow to the oil cooler like you would on the engine? Just thinking if the pumps ensures that the gears and bearings are getting the right amount of oil then that should be in there anyway!

Chris.

[jamie g]

chuntington101 said:

Andy, with the above in mind would it not be worth having the pump on all the time (or getting a mech. pump) and then thermostatically controlling the flow to the oil cooler like you would on the engine? Just thinking if the pumps ensures that the gears and bearings are getting the right amount of oil then that should be in there anyway!

Chris.

Also you can use the engine cooling system to cool the gearbox oil instead of the air cooled rad at the front. This could make an easier install and keep more consistant oil temperatures.

[GTO600]

Jamie,
I fitted a water to oil inline laminar-flow type, takes up minimal room & has the advantage of warming the oil up aswell. Possibly doesn't cool as much as an air type but the most important thing is oil circulation.

[jamie g]

GTO600 said:

Jamie,
I fitted a water to oil inline laminar-flow type, takes up minimal room & has the advantage of warming the oil up aswell. Possibly doesn't cool as much as an air type but the most important thing is oil circulation.

That sounds like just the ticket