Powersteering coolers - what to get?

[spiller]

Not a highly technical discussion but I figured it was specific enough to go into this section. I need to add a powersteering cooler to my JZA70 as I intend on hitting the track for circuit work in the coming months. The JZA70 comes with a factory tube type ps cooler but it's not that efficient and my car doesn't have one anyway as it was excluded when the previous owner did the 1JZ swap. I'm after a simple cooler that will be suitable for up to 10 laps of constant thrashing at a time. Ultimately I'd like something that I can simply fit into the low pressure return line with a couple of basic hose clamps. Dont really want to mess about with additional lines and speedfloe fittings as it's not neccessary.

So, what are people out there using and how big does it have to be? I'm gonna be doing a largish order from summit for my engine oil cooler soon so something ex US is not a problem.

Also, what sort of fluid are people using? Is there a higher temp option out there that will be suitable?

Cheers

[MWP]

Might be a silly question.... but how do you know you need one??

[spiller]

Firstly I figure if Toyota put one there in the first place, then it should have one. My car has no powersteering cooler. Secondly, I've seen the fluid get hot and spill out of the reservoir at the track in my last car which was an RZ and that had a powersteering cooler. All of my steering components and rack/pump are freshly rebuilt so i want to keep them in good condition. If I dont really need one, I'll cross it off my list. I'm not sure this is the case though?

[mr1jz]

Don't need to be uber expensive. VT commodore had a optional trans cooler that was reasonable in size. You could just put two push lock fittings in the ends and runs some hose. I have just setup one where the factory trans cooler ran on my MX83 as I have gone manual. Seems to hold the low pressure on the return side okay.

[spiller]

Do you source these things from a wrecker or you mean brand new from Holden?

[thechuckster]

magna have useful donor trans coolers (that work well as p/s coolers) - easy to mount, compact and you get choices for fittings.

[mr1jz]

Yeah these thing can be picked up at a local wreckers. I asked Pick and payless the other day and they said $30. Not bad considering.

Cheers, Brendan.

[MWP]

I added this, replacing the simple loops when after my GT4 had PS failiures at a Motorkhana.



Was ~$20 from u-pull-it.
Cant remember what car it was out of though :/

(it didnt fix the problem )

[takai]

I have one from an EA Falcon in the Supra, works a treat.

[TERRA Operative]

Just be sure to put the outlet at the top so the cooler doesn't trap air, or orient both fittings pointing up.

As for oil, I found Royal Purple to be pretty good.

[Supra967]

Stock MA70 oil cooler with a bit of relocation and slight movement on inlet/outlet tubes.

Just going to use hose and clamps.

If you want something similar to stock one just go to an air-con repair man and get a tube and fin exchanger of suitable size. Like you said the factory one is just a tube so some added fins will be a bit better.

Heaps of coolers at pick a part, just wonder around til you find the right one.

[AndyTTR]

I'm running a Davies-Craig ATF cooler as a power-steering cooler, it's been fine for the last year or so but the pump sounds like it's working harder than it should be...

In the near future I want to replace and simplify all the power-steering plumbing in the Supra, thinking of swapping the ATF cooler for a PS cooler from an FG XR8 Falcon They're decently sized and look to have better flow than the ATF cooler. Was quoted $150 from the local Ford dealer for one

[spiller]

That MA70 oil cooler looks to be a suitable size, i'm sure it doesnt have to be heaps big.

Just be sure to put the outlet at the top so the cooler doesn't trap air, or orient both fittings pointing up.

is this a general rule for all oil coolers or just in this case because its a low pressure situation? would the same apply to an engine oil cooler? because it looks like mine is going to have to be on its side too.

[Supra967]

should always pump up. Let gravity fill the cooler completely.

You rad only flows down because the water pump needs the gravity fed supply.

[spiller]

ok, thanks for that info mate, + rep

also thanks to everyone who has posted. if anyone else cares to share, feel free.