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How effective is the PS cooler?

P

Pole120

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Mar 15, 2004
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Waukesha, WI
I'm decontenting everything on the track car that doesn't need to be there and simplifying the cars systems to the max to make life easy should the car have a malfunction. So the question at hand is, can i do without the 5lbs worth of a PS cooling system and simplify the PS return line plumbing.....I will be filling the system with a quality fluid and the exhaust components will be wrapped to control heat, so all thats left is heat generated from the compression of the fluid. What do you think?
 
I never measured the temps, but I would boil the fluid when autocrossing during the summer. Quality synthetic fluid and an underdrive pulley mostly helped (except for the very hot summer days). I eventually replaced it with a much larger one and haven't had any problems since. The new unit, although it has greater cooling capabilities, is lighter than the OEM SVT p/s cooler.

I'm guessing that the track isn't as abusive to the powersteering... but as far as I know, every automobile at least has an un-finned p/s cooler just for the street. So I would assume you'd at least need some form of cooling.

In case you're interested... this is the one I got: http://www.holley.com/20706ERL.asp
General pic.. but the 20706ERL is a 2x2x8-1/4 cooler with 6AN fittings.
mediumOil%20Coolers.jpg
 
I wouldnt take it off

I wouldnt take it off

My svt puked some fluid at Watkins Glenn in pretty mild temps. I would upgrade it if I were you.

Mark
 
why bother with it at all? You'll get more muscular forearms in the process and have one less thing to fail.
 
Where to locate power steering fluid cooler?

Where to locate power steering fluid cooler?

Hi.
For those that have installed a power steering cooler can you tell me
where you located the cooling fin assembly? Did you put it in front of
the regular radiator? Is there any other convenient place?

Also I'm curious as to where in the flow is the best location.

I would guess the most efficient place would be between the pump
and the steering rack because I guess that would be the place where
the fluid is very warm, just after it has been pumped to high pressure.
But does placing the radiator in that location cause any flow
restriction and subsequent pressure drop before the fluid gets to the
steering rack.

Or should the radiator be part of the fluid return circuit just before
the pump?

Thanks in advance for any advice.
Gary -- Atlanta
 
Simply install it as close as possible to the original PS cooler with the same hose routing. Even if you have to move it up so it partly blocks the radiator, it won't add enough heat to the radiator to make much difference.
 
69Boss302 said:
why bother with it at all? You'll get more muscular forearms in the process and have one less thing to fail.
Click to expand...

lol.... I had always thought that our car was _almost_ light enough to be able to get away without PS.

a few months ago my car died when I was driving... gotta say that turn I had to make without it was.... strenuous... ya I think I'll keep mine.

josh, you could always remove the P/S pump from the drive line and replace it with an electric one from a MR2 or such [I know thats what most of the electric car builders do for P/S]
 
From what I've been told, a disabled pump (though still connected) will make the steering harder. You'd want to fully remove the pump, so you're not moving it along with the wheels.

gary_jabo said:
Hi.
For those that have installed a power steering cooler can you tell me
where you located the cooling fin assembly? Did you put it in front of
the regular radiator? Is there any other convenient place?

Also I'm curious as to where in the flow is the best location.

I would guess the most efficient place would be between the pump
and the steering rack because I guess that would be the place where
the fluid is very warm, just after it has been pumped to high pressure.
But does placing the radiator in that location cause any flow
restriction and subsequent pressure drop before the fluid gets to the
steering rack.

Or should the radiator be part of the fluid return circuit just before
the pump?

Thanks in advance for any advice.
Gary -- Atlanta
Click to expand...
Both my p/s and oil coolers are like the ones in the picture I posted. I made a shelf that attaches to the bottom of the condenser (among other places) that they sit on. Both of them side by side, they are exactly as wide as the condenser. I also wrapped pipe insulation around the cooler edges to ensure no pressure was lost.
 
Reviving this thread. I had problems with my PS fluid overheating and boiling over at the track the other week. I was thinking about installing an underdrive pulley but after reading a little that sounds like a big PITA. This option looks a little easier and possibly more effective.
How difficult is this install? Anyone have pics? And what is the general feeling about going with the $30 fin options as opposed to the $80+ plate coolers?
 
Anyone know what the STOCK inlet/outlet tube sizes are?

I need to order a replacement one and want to make sure it will fit the stock hoses without any further mods!

Most of the ones I like have 11/32 tube sizes!
 
I'm using -6 hoses (0.34375") with 6AN fittings. I think the actual size is 3/8"... as the -6 was a little tight, but not a problem.
 
bensenvill said:
installing a overdrive pulley is trivial.

completely unrelated, but heres an interesting read I've had opened for quite some time
http://www.mechatropolis.com/Articl..._steering:_one_good_turn_deserves_another.htm

still working on an electric conversion...
Click to expand...

Interesting read, but I only got part of the article. Any chance you could post the whole thing (maybe a separate thread?).

Oh and fyi,
This web site at www.mechatropolis.com has been reported as an attack site and has been blocked based on your security preferences.
Click to expand...
from google. I like to live on the edge so I ignored the warning and went right on in. :D
 
SVTC1136 said:
Reviving this thread. I had problems with my PS fluid overheating and boiling over at the track the other week. I was thinking about installing an underdrive pulley but after reading a little that sounds like a big PITA. This option looks a little easier and possibly more effective.
How difficult is this install? Anyone have pics? And what is the general feeling about going with the $30 fin options as opposed to the $80+ plate coolers?
Click to expand...
We don't have alot of space to play around with for the coolers, so I opted for the more efficient plate coolers. My coolers were a little more complicated to install... but I took pics, I just need to get around to posting them.
 
Thanks. That other site wanted me to sign up to read the article was all.
Very interesting read, although it got a bit over my head toward the end. Have you looked into how hard it would be to convert a hydraulic system over? The article didn't really describe the physical arrangement of the system.
 
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