Power steering cooler questions

[TrackDay17]

Ok, I'm planning ahead here but wanted to know how the experienced guys here feel if a PS cooler is necessary.
I've heard they can get the fluid pretty warm ?

If it's a good addition I'm wondering about mounting something in the front where an oil cooler would mount and look the part of an actual oil cooler.
I like the looks of the oil cooler but I understand it's not really necessary for a street driven 347.



Anyone done this or have any recommendations ?

[Mike.Bray]

Not needed, just adds more potential points of failure.

[edwardb]

My response is (1) How are you going to use the car? Track use and even autocross can heat the PS fluid. I'm 99% a street driver, but it's been mentioned by others that it can matter. (2) I have put small coolers on my builds. Cheap insurance IMO and only two AN connectors. I routed the hoses basically the same as if the cooler wasn't there. So I'm not worried about the added complexity or leaking. Hasn't been a problem with multiple builds. I use a Derale 13310. Compact enough it can be placed where there's room. I've mounted it on the back of the fan shroud on every build. But an argument could be made that for my use it's not needed. So, you're choice. Back in the day before DD's have basically all gone electric PS like now, some type of in-line cooler was pretty normal.

I briefly looked at putting a PS cooler up in the oil cooler spot in the nose. That does add enough complexity that it didn't go any further for me. But others have done it.

[TrackDay17]

My response is (1) How are you going to use the car? Track use and even autocross can heat the PS fluid. I'm 99% a street driver, but it's been mentioned by others that it can matter. (2) I have put small coolers on my builds. Cheap insurance IMO and only two AN connectors. I routed the hoses basically the same as if the cooler wasn't there. So I'm not worried about the added complexity or leaking. Hasn't been a problem with multiple builds. I use a Derale 13310. Compact enough it can be placed where there's room. I've mounted it on the back of the fan shroud on every build. But an argument could be made that for my use it's not needed. So, you're choice. Back in the day before DD's have basically all gone electric PS like now, some type of in-line cooler was pretty normal.

I briefly looked at putting a PS cooler up in the oil cooler spot in the nose. That does add enough complexity that it didn't go any further for me. But others have done it.


Honestly Paul your mounting to the radiator shroud is probably a better solution and more protected than in the nose.
I've also considered mounting some driving lights in that area possibly although I doubt I'll do much night driving out in the country, too many deer around here even in the suburbs where I live.

[Jeff Kleiner]

Street car a cooler is not necessary. I did lots of autocross and track days with my old Mk3 and quickly found that even a 60 second autocross run will superheat the fluid due to sustained high RPM and constant steering. The fluid would turn black and smell burned after just a few events. I added a two pass cooler in the oil cooler opening and the problem was solved:

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=218980&d=1598115978

Using this 15" inline heat sink cooler in the same location on my Mk5:

https://sp.yimg.com/ib/th?id=OPHS.9FNMNiIv8WIySw474C474&o=5&pid=21.1

As far as plumbing either type it's very simple and just goes in the low pressure return line. AN connections or just barb fittings and low pressure with clamps, your choice.

Jeff

[TrackDay17]

Street car a cooler is not necessary. I did lots of autocross and track days with my old Mk3 and quickly found that even a 60 second autocross run will superheat the fluid due to sustained high RPM and constant steering. The fluid would turn black and smell burned after just a few events. I added a two pass cooler in the oil cooler opening and the problem was solved:

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=218980&d=1598115978

Using this 15" inline heat sink cooler in the same location on my Mk5:

https://sp.yimg.com/ib/th?id=OPHS.9FNMNiIv8WIySw474C474&o=5&pid=21.1

As far as plumbing either type it's very simple and just goes in the low pressure return line. AN connections or just barb fittings and low pressure with clamps, your choice.

Jeff

Well, I'm not planning on any track days or auto crossing but never say never.
IHRA purchased my nearest local track out of mothballs so I'm looking forward to getting back to running motorcycle track days.
I haven't had my knee pucks skimming the pavement in two years now and I miss it.

It might be a good insurance policy to add one now instead of reworking it later.

[JTG]

Well, I'm not planning on any track days or auto crossing but never say never.
IHRA purchased my nearest local track out of mothballs so I'm looking forward to getting back to running motorcycle track days.
I haven't had my knee pucks skimming the pavement in two years now and I miss it.

It might be a good insurance policy to add one now instead of reworking it later.

I'm probably going to do something similar to Paul even thought it's not needed for street driving. Just on the off chance there's a track day or auto cross in my future.

I also miss the feeling of getting a knee down, there's nothing quite like that.
My 13 year old daughter recently found my race leathers with some worn knee pucks and tried it on. That was good for a laugh, but she looked so pleased with herself :cool:

[PNWTim]

I'm probably going to do something similar to Paul even thought it's not needed for street driving. Just on the off chance there's a track day or auto cross in my future.

I also miss the feeling of getting a knee down, there's nothing quite like that.
My 13 year old daughter recently found my race leathers with some worn knee pucks and tried it on. That was good for a laugh, but she looked so pleased with herself :cool:

I am pretty certain I can't squeeze into my old JT leathers from the late 70's. I wish I had my old Hi Point boots but they are long gone. Don't mean to derail this thread but had to comment. Was a motocrosser but always appreciated those guys skipping their knees off the track.

And for relevance, I am installing the same Derale as Paul used. Cheap insurance and I'm not concerned about the additional connection points. Besides, it's kind of cool (pun intended).

[TrackDay17]

Jeff, can I ask where you got your new cooler and how you ended up mounting it ?
That heat sink cooler would definitely be more rock and debris resistant than mounting a normal oil type cooler in the opening.

PNWTim, I finally broke down and bought custom Heroic Racing leathers a few years ago.
Night and day difference in comfort and fit, I don't think I could go back to off the rack again.
I've lost some weight in the last couple of years so last time I tried them on they fit good !