As per title. is it essential to have an oil cooler fitted. Its a 2.0 focus blacktop into a 2.0 focus...

WAs contemplating a plate type oil cooler but then there is extra arse ache with pipe work, but after seeing the FRS has one as standard it kinda makes me think this is a basic standard.

 

Nope, certainly not needed. Few Zetec turbos run them as it takes a while for the temps to get up on the road anyway.

 

What oil temps would you need to be seeing to justify a oil cooler?

 

Mine needed a oil cooler...

 

I don't either.

 

My oil gets a bit warm on the track, so needed one. Run with a stat to make it warm up ok in the winter.

 

If I got my toe down on a motorway mine would easy see 130 degs...
Now with the oil cooler on its around 110 degs...
Wouldn't have wanted to see what oil temps I could have got without the cooler...

 

if your seeing 120-130, then you'll need a cooler IMO

 

I'm not going to have an oil temperature sensor so.. how about i use a better grade of oil??

 

I rung Oilman @ opieoils...
Good oil and a cooler needed IMO, only way to tell is get a oil temp gauge plumbed in, a decent one too for accurate readings...

 

you need a temp gauge, not just for oil but for water too, a better grade oil isnt going to stop it from getting hot though is it

a better grade oil will always help as they tend not to break down as easy as cheap oil once hot

 

It's your engine, your money...
I'd get a gauge plumbed in straight away and see what's happening...

 

As above, every car is different but a gauge is needed with any modified engine