What (if any) filter for a differential cooler?

[Jfryjfry]

Putting a diff cooler on my race car (rwd) with a clutch lsd and figured if plumb in a filter. Can I use a motor oil filter or should it be a trans filter or ???

Any suggestions on an inexpensive filter and remote mount for that filter?

Thanks!

 

[bdcardinal]

I would probably say an inline filter might work. I was looking at a Mocal setup on my last Mustang, but never got around to it.

What is the application? Just curious. A lot of Mustang open track guys will use a 03-04 Cobra intercooler heat exchanger as the radiator for a diff cooler mounted in the read bumper.

 

[dnewton3]

How high or low tech is this going to be?

Any typical filter such as an spin-on oil filter will need to be pressure fed; will you have a sump/pump system for the diff? If so, then you need to be aware of the pump criteria and match the filter flow specs to it, etc.




BTW - moving to proper forum.

 

[Roadkingnc]

I would not try to filter the gear oil, a magnet on the case maybe. They run forever with most people not even changing the lube.

 

[Jim Allen]

Race cars often have diff oil filters, especially those use in endurance racing. Whether you really need one or not is the question because it's quite a complex thing to set up on some cars. Much easier to run a magnet/finned cover, etc. and change the oil often. Unless you are talking about some kind of endurance racing. But even the Baja racers don't use diff filters or pressure fed coolers (that I know of).

 

[MrBeachcomber]

It's cheaper to use a magnet and a lot less complicated. Raced for years with just a magnetic drain plug w/o any problems (B production/GT1 Vettes).

Keep the cooler, add a magnetic drain plug, and you're done!

 

[Cardenio327]

Some gear oils shouldn't be filtered. Redline specifies that their shockproof line mustn't be filtered. Something about the special additives getting filtered out and clogging the filter.

Plus, why bother? If you can afford to race or afford to put a filtration system on a differential, you can afford to have it rebuilt once in a while. It'll need to be rebuilt due to shock loading, &c., not because the oil was dirty. And what about the constant changing of gear ratios some racing guys ascribe to? You might decide you want to change the gear ratio long before it has any wear due to particulate matter in the lubricant.

 

[Jfryjfry]

Sorry about the wrong forum.... First post and didn't look carefully enough. Apologies!

As far as set up, it's a 180sx road race and drift car with a clutch lsd. I was seeing diff case temps around 250 after a few laps the last time out, which was the first time I had taken any readings.

Of course I could just rebuild and/or replace more often but why if a cooler wi extend its life? I'm always interested in good discussion, but i'd rather discuss whether or not to cool in a separate thread.

Regardless, I was planning on a pump like the mocal unit for trannies.

I was also planning on changing to shockproof oil so, if the post is correct about it not supposed to be filtered, I suppose that would take care of that.

 

[Jim Allen]

250F with a good oil is not out of bounds with reality if you use a 140 grade (or maybe 110) synthetic oil Towing is probably the most difficult situation for a diff, temps similar to yours but for many hours and days at a time and much higher loads. 'Course the diffs are more robust than yours.

 

[ZeeOSix]

Originally Posted By: Jfryjfry
I was seeing diff case temps around 250 after a few laps the last time out, which was the first time I had taken any readings.


If it was 250 F after just a few laps, it could go high with extended run time. Unless you had data logging and could see the temp curve went stable after just a couple laps (which I doubt - too much mass for it to stabilize that quickly IMO).

If you find that you need an oil cooler, I would run that but no oil filter. As others have said, just run a good magnetic drain plug and change the diff oil often to keep it clean.