How necessary is an oil cooler kit (like sneed's speed or M7's)? What are some helpful hints for those of us interested in tracking our cars?

 

How often, for how long, how hard are you tracking it?

 

MINI has never heat soaked at the track. You being in Denver...I don't feel it's necessary for you. Maybe some guy in TX would highly benefit from it, but from my experience at the track, you can live w/o it.

My advantage is my Aquamist meth kit, keeps my engine temps in check all day and now with the new Evolve FMIC, I'm in complete heaven!

 

You should talk to the guys at Sneed Speed. I bet they did a before and after comparison from stock to their kit.

 

I don't think the oil cooler is necessary if you are just doing HPDEs. Typical sessions are about 20-25 minutes, and the first and last laps of each session are generally more relaxed. Also the thermostat will open up and bring your engine temp down to about 180F. Spend the $ on improving the driver (going to the track), brakes (better pads and brake fluid flush), suspension (22mm RSB), and tires first.

Different story if you are racing and going 45+ minutes, then an oil cooler is probably a good idea.

 

This is what I've always thought about them. It's just hard to say anything absolute without data. My gut feeling is the same as yours. As long as the user is using a high quality synthetic oil and reducing time between oil changes he should be OK too.

 

We've never had a problem and we're running double sessions between me and the wife, and the wife is getting pretty fast these days. The problem we have is brake pads.

 

Oil coolers in the winter can actually do more harm than good.

IMHO, don't get one. If you're having temp issues on the track, I'd look at the GP intercooler (what I did), or, if you REALLY want to lower temps, water/meth. But check your temps first to see if you even need anything; where you're at you may not. Either of those are going to help you more than an oil cooler where you live.

I may go W2A in the future, but that depends on what I do with the car. Right now I'm good with just the IC, and my car is fairly modded, just a tick under 250HP at the wheel.