Would it be benificial to add a (bigger) power steering cooler

[Infinitiguy19]

Would it be benificial to add a power stering cooler to the Q45?

I have wondered the above ever since I see people autocrossing with Q45's Cough:Wes,Keith:Cough.

I would like tio idealy use a tramssion cooler, perferably my old one and buy a new transmission cooler like this one: http://www.jegs.com/i/B-M/130/70273/10002/-1.

By the way I am looking for a cooler that has a build in thermostat that won't let cold fluid flow through till it is warmed sufficiently, Because I am in New England.

Also do any of these three B&M coolers have a built in thermostat:

SuperCooler 11" x 7-1/4" x 3/4" BTU rating 13,000......................70268SuperCooler 11" x 5-3/4" x 1-1/2" BTU rating 14,400...................70264SuperCooler 11”X 5-3/4”X1-1/2” (new size) BTU rating 15,000 ...70273 *

Actually the last cooler listed I know for sure does'nt have a T-stat. So I found one from Jeggs. The one from Jeggs allows the coolant to warm up by only allowing 10% to flow through.

So I am worried would that starve the rear planetary gears?

Also the last cooler listed (70273) is rated at 200PSI and has a 1/2 inch input and output fitting.

For anyone interested in the T-stat: http://www.jegs.com/i/Perma-Cool/771/1070/10002/-1

Source: zerothread/233104

So what do you all think?
Modified by Paul Wall at 4:39 PM 8/18/2009

[Q45tech]

Why not install a temporay thermistor on the reservoir and monitor your current situation..............anything over 220F with conventional or 240F with Mobil 1 ATF needs to be corrected.

Once you have the data then you can select the correct size [btu/hr].

[maxnix]

Hardbody put a long fin and tube one in the lower panel.

NISMO makes one for the Z32.

The B&M have a thermal bypass.

[Infinitiguy19]

Hardbody put a long fin and tube one in the lower panel.

Is that a NICO user name?

The B&M have a thermal bypass.

I saw that one, like I said I want to use my old one and replace the old one (Trans cooler) with the 15,000 BTU one like Dennis states in that topic.

The B&M have a thermal bypass.

No offence but I called Jeggs and I asked and they said no, none of the coolers they sell have that. They have no reson to lie but they might not know as much as you.

But do you know if all the B&M coolers have a thermal bypass or just some?

Why not install a temporay thermistor on the reservoir and monitor your current situation..............anything over 220F with conventional or 240F with Mobil 1 ATF needs to be corrected.

Once you have the data then you can select the correct size [btu/hr].

Thanks, Would just pulling over after doing some street driving and measuring the temp with a infared thermometer be about the same as using a thermistor?

[maxnix]

All B&M stacked plate designs do.

[Infinitiguy19]

I had some time today to use my Craftsman Multimeter to see how hot my Power Steering fluid was getting. After a two hour drive mostly straight aways/cruising it got to about 157*F in 80*F ambient temperature. Thats after sitting (Running) for a minute (Ran to get Multimeter) and turning the wheels full lock and holding for a couple of seconds.

I might find a Power Steering cap and drill a small hole in it, insert a grommet then I can monitor the temp while driving on a closed off road.

[flyingbrick]

why on earth bother.

if it ain't broke?

[db_autotek]

I can't imagine that it would help all that much if your temps are staying under 180*~200*. It could make a noticeable difference if you were doing some really heavy racing or autocrossing on a road course with a lot of constant turns. I would use the $$ and time for the recommended transmission fluid cooler mod that could make a noticeable difference!! Especially if it prevents having to repair/replace the transmission in the future!

[maxnix]

why on earth bother.

if it ain't broke?

Besides maybe Autocross, the most stress on the PS unit is in urban driving. There is no cooling of the PS fluid provided. There is a Nismo Z32 PS cooler.

[qship96]

actually there is satisfactory cooling provided for the type of use the car was designed for, it is a length of metal tubing extended out in front of the condenser in the airflow - unless you are autocrossing, upgrading the PS cooling system is a waste of time and money. I am near hitting 280,000 miles with original rack and pump with no time/money wasted trying to outsmart the engineers who designed the system.

[Q451990]

Yeah... I think given the lack of p/s failure on cars with appropriate fluid maintenence, there's not much point.

Heath

[Skibane]

actually there is satisfactory cooling provided for the type of use the car was designed for, it is a length of metal tubing extended out in front of the condenser in the airflow

Yep.

It's pretty unusual for your average vehicle to have ANY kind of PS cooler. Typically, it's only included as part of a "police interceptor" package - and even then, it's usually a tiny little thing that hangs off the side of the PS pump.

On the Q45, with occasional fluid changes and the use of good-quality synthetic fluid, you're golden.

IMO, the only place a supplemental PS cooler makes much sense is on a 4WD vehicle that does a lot of rock-crawling.