Hi All, considering installing an oil preheater on the the dry sump tank of the SR3 since our cars take so long to warm up. I found two different types, the screw in rod and the external glue on/zip tie on heating pad? Does anyone have either installed? Are they effective? Which one do you have and do you happen to know where to get one? Thanks!
I've got the external type. As long as you have at least an hour to leave it on it makes a big difference in warm up time.
@gwt561324, which one did you get and how did you mount it to the tank?
@crit I have one like this:
I have it zip tied to the oil can using stainless ties. The power cord is tied off to the frame close enough that I can get to it by just barely lifting the rear clam near the rear tire.
@gwt561324, Thanks for link! After an hour what does it raise the oil temp to? I know it won’t heat the oil in the bottom of the pan so when you first start it circulating what is your temp reading? Also what is the typical outside temp when you’re using the pre-heater? Thanks
Usually 70 - 80 C. I don't run the heater for that long unless it's below 70F outside.
I always run it, but only if it's cold out do I worry about getting it running for a while.
I've got the same one Garret linked. Mine was on the car when I got it and was installed with Silicone. Makes a HUGE difference. Gets the oil in the dry sump tank nice and toasty. Temps drop a bit on startup as it is now mixing the pre-warmed oil with the cooler block and other oil. But massive help in warmup times.
It's a must. Had Stradale install one when they did my engine this winter. It's the external one held on by adhesive. Was thinking about picking one up and installing myself but it was inexpensive and they did a nice job of installing it.
Two things you can't do without. Cooling fan on water radiator and oil preheater.
Couldn't believe the car comes prewired for the fan but previous owner didn't install it.
Here's what my RSX had on it when I got it
Its a Wolverine branded external heat pad with a 250watt capacity.
I note they also make a 500watt version.... I'm not sure if there's any reason you couldn't use one of those. There seems to be plenty of room for a larger patch...
I have only started my car once to re-balance the throttle bodies (idle was terrible/'lumpy')... but can tell you this is what I observed;
- I turned the pre-heater on and monitored the oil temp on the dash with the car not running. After about 40 minutes the temperature was showing 73 degrees C (Water temp was 21 C)
- I then started the car and then watched what happened. The oil temperature fell almost immediately (as expected) dropping over 12 minutes run-time to 48 degrees C (at the same time water temp rose to 70 degrees after 5 minutes running, and 91 degrees after 12 minutes running)
- Oil temperature continued to climb, after 15 minutes getting to 52 degrees C (water temp had stabilised at 91 degrees and I can't remember but I suspect the radiator fan I installed was probably cycling on/off t maintain around that level?)
So from that initial experience, I would say that a pre-heat time of 40 minutes, then running the car at idle for a further 15 minutes, should give an oil temp of ~50 degrees C and a water temp of ~90 degrees C.... which I think is plenty warm enough to let you drive off and do some warm up laps.
I'd love to know;
- if anyone has a 500 watt unit installed??
- Is there any reason why one of these couldn't be wrapped around the bottom aluminium pipe between the radiator/water pump and the engine block.... by running that you might be able to get a rise in water temp as well which would have to speed things up a lot more too??
