DFD:

As far as the MINI Madness and Autometer sending unit.. it's a NO GO... Just doesn't fit..

By the way, where is the current location of your sending unit?

///Gilbert

 

Is the complete Madness kit with radiator nearly $600

 

Pretty much.. closer to $525.... it's a MUST for me cause I'll be twincharged soon .... But come to think of it, it is pretty expensive.. but I always believe you gotta pay to play

///Gilbert

 

Hey there folks, if you've got any additional questions or comments feel free to ask.

That's what we're here for


The plate and fittings are $225.

The Setrab radiator unit and hoses bring the kit up to $525

 

Norm,

Why is this "needed" ? For longevity or for racing only ?

I doubt I need one, as a weekend 20 minute session warrior

Phil

 

Phil,

My take on the need is two-fold. See what people thing of reason number two.

They are both based on one guiding belief, I don't much like the stock set-up. A small oil cooler interchanger passing by the engine coolant, just doesn't cut it for me.

So, first reason is, now I am sure I am getting sufficient oil cooling. Regardless of the length and number of my sessions, or the ambient temp. We have a school out here where we can log a lot of track time. Was there today. Six 30 minute sessions between 9:00 and 4:30. Could present problems.

Second, if the stock intercooler is using the engine coolant to cool the oil, what is that doing to the coolant temps? Doesn't sound good to me. I've put a lot of money into 'go fast" stuff, this last Winter I was determined to add some reliability and durability mods.

Just my take, Norm

 

Was good to see you out there John. Your forecast was right on, 74.

Driving down the Intersate to get to the track I was seeing 180 - 210. Generally below 200.

On the track, it was around 240 - 245 for the morning sessions and topped off at 265 - 270 in the afternoon when I was pushing it harder while playing with the big boys. Got more then a few's attention.

I think the funniest time was in the morning session when I was running with the slower group (just testing some goodies) and there was a Porsche Turbo also in the group, getting some instruction. Anyway, I caught him on the back side and he had to roll his window down to point me by. I'm sure he didn't think he was going to have worry about it. We both went up for the afternoon.

 

Gilbert - I have the sender on top of my oil-filter canister. I took the unit to an aluminum engineering workshop where they re-inforced the exterior (cavity) of the canister and tapped a thread for the sender all for about $35 :smile:

DFD

 

Hmmm... I would have thought that by having the oil-cooler it would have kept the temps down a little more than what you have recorded.

 

for those dying to know, a description of the oil pump-filter-cooler circuit:


From the pump via the block (lowest hole in the block) into the filter casting. passes through a check valve (#1) (to keep the line from the pump full) and directly into one side of the stock oil cooler. Out of the oil cooler back into the casting, outside of the filter element (chamber 2).
this chamber (2) has two valves: if the filter clogs, an overpressure valve (#2) opens, directing oil into chamber 3. the other valve (#3) is a bleeder valve which closes under slight pressure. When open, it drains oil back to the pan, via the last hole in the block, (top and pass side).

oil passing through the filter element (from the outside to the inside) enters chamber 3 directly.
Chamber 3 exits the casting into the block and oil gallery (in the block, top hole, driver side) Chamber 3 has the oil pressure sensor Tee'd into it (and is where I put my oil temp sensor).

if the element clogs, oil flows around it via valve #2. Until pressure builds a tiny bit, oil bypasses the element and goes directly into the pan via #3, missing the gallery entirely...this is weird to me. there is a small (1/4")bypass hole that allows some oil to flow around the oil cooler path and directly into chhamber 2

 

John,

Thanks for the description. Is there any evidence of an internal thermostat valve in the oil filter housing? Or, is the "thermostat" the engine coolant that circulates thru the coolant to oil heat exchanger?????

When I installed my oil cooler, without and external oil thermostat valve, I was impressed that the temperature of the oil cooler seemed to abruptly transition from ambient temperature to "hot", as if there was an internal oil temperature thermostat.

Regards,
John Petrich in Seattle

 

I find no evidence of a thermostat.

 

John,

Thanks for checking. Not what I wanted to hear. Was hoping that BMW had incorporated some sort of thermostat into the oil filter assembly. Think that I'll block off my oil heat exchanger during the winter.

Thanks again.

John Petrich in Seattle

 

All,

Earlier this week Norm and I did a track day together. We agreed to post his oil temperature data. I don't see where he posted it, so I will.

Norm's MINI is highly modified for power, and uses the Maddness oil cooler system. We were at Pacific Raceways in Seattle area on a 76 degree day. The track is about 2.4 miles long, where a MINI can run WOT at least 3/4 of the circuit, if not more. On the main straight, MINI's can hit over 110 MPH. The run sessions were 30 minutes long, and we each had 5 sessions for the day. Norm is a very fast, WOT type of driver.

Temperature data: Freeway drive to the track: 190 degrees
During initial run session: 220 degrees
Subsequent run sessions: 250 degrees peak

Norm does not have an oil pressure gauge.

That's it. These temperature readings are about the same that both he and George from Maddness quoted me from tests at Portland Int'l Raceway earlier in the year. Take the information for what it is worth. If Norm has anything to add, I'm sure that he will.

Regards,
John Petrich in Seattle

 

Thanks John and Norm for all the data...

Norm, which oil cooler radiator did you go with? Is it the Setrab one or the one for their a/w intercooler.. I have the latter one, which might explain my higher temp readings..

///Gilbert

 

JLM:

Would it be true then depending on where the oil temp sender would be located, different temps will be recorded.. I'm not sure though if the differences would be that far apart though (all pre oil cooler of course)

By the way what oil temp readings are you getting?

///Gilbert

 

Gilbert,

I have the smaller top-mounted rad, since I have the larger lower mounted rad for the water-to-air IC. So, actually my temps were pretty good. Remember, those top numbers were at a hard 10/10's on a fast track (3/4 mile straight). Reassures me that no matter what, I will be okay.

With that said though, George at Mini-Madness is presently working on some other rad set-ups for people like me with the lower IC rad.

Norm