Longbrow - You are correct that water temperature is a good indicator of what the oil temperature should be. Generally my oil temperature is 5 to 10 degrees above the water temperature. But if you are competing in any form of motorsport, even if it's once every 6 months, spending $50 on an oil temperature gauge is a worthwhile investment. Furthermore, if you were to find that your oil temperatures are spiking it would be worth spending a few hundred dollars on an oil cooler set up. Trust me, pulling out what was a good motor to replace the big end bearings or worse is not a lot of fun.
Matty

For what is is worth. My Dat:
1.A14 Stock (cyc bored out for an actual 1407cc
and head port matched) with header.
2.Stock oil pump
3.Sunpro RPM, Watertemp, and Oil pressure gauges.
With ambient temp of 95F(35C), I can maitain an RPM of 4500(80mph/129kph-13in wheels,stock tranny and gearing) with a water temp of 170-5F(77-79C) indefinately.
I have never broken 185F(85C) with extremely spirted driving around the town in stop and go traffic. Shutdown after driving temps = 190F(87.7C).
I have maintained 5000-5200 RPM(=95-100mph/152.8-160.9 kph) for 10-15 mins several times(admittedly on a straight away and after my oil was warmed up). With the same ambient temp, my water temp will stabilze @ roughly 180F(82C). I realize I am not racing on a track, and these are water temps. However, I do believe this is a good indicator .
Note: When my engine oil is warmed-up,and I am at 5000RPM ,my oil pressure is maxed @ 60 PSI .

I think many people would get a shock if they realised how hot their engine oil gets during a spirited drive. Before going to the trouble and expense of fitting an oil cooler fit an oil temperature gauge and see if one is needed. A friend was running in his new motor at a track day with a rev limit of 5000rpm and the oil temp went straight off the gauge (0 - 250 degrees farenheit) after 2 laps of very mild driving.
Matty

Is it possible that some are trying to fix a problem that doesn't exist?

Oil coolers are just fine for competition engines, or other engines that operate at high outputs for extended periods, but for most, particularly street cars, the oil never rises to a temperature level where additional cooling is warranted.

If a cooler is fitted, I suggest, as B210sleeper did earlier, that it be routed through a thermostaticly controlled valve that bypasses the cooler untill the oil temp reaches a predetermined level, otherwise you risk running the oil temp well below the recomended operating range, & this benefits no-one & can actually rob power.

Longbrow.
The 'Boss' at my local service station has raced a seriously competitive 1200 Coupe/ A15 with a cooler & thermo valve for years, but runs a stock pump, & he has had no problems with oil pressure yet.

To the gentlemen whom have oil coolers; have you found the need for a high volume pump or similiar oil pump upgrade?

you guys must be mind readers. Bin thinking bout this aswell lately.
Anyone got any pics of them fitted to 1200's ? which is better do you guys rekon, infront of radiator or next to cooloer in factory hole.
Sorry for the hijack but maybe it could help aswell

I bought a brand new Serck 13 row cooler from Ebay for about $90. This was about $40 cheaper than any of the retail outlets were offering. From memory the seller was called MG Parts Shop.
If you've got the room go a bit bigger in the core as it's always better to only upgrade once.

any cooler and thermostat combo will work fine. you should only need to spend about $150USD for all the parts.

I recommend a check valve to keep the oil from draining out of the system.

my cooler is mounted infront of the radiator, make sure that you make a bracket and don't use those things that mount by sticking plastic things through the radiator.

I've been thinking about this sort of thing too. A few pionts that come to mind are that I dont think the brand matters, only the size and quality of construction. I would probly end up using something that would be the size of my radiator opening on the coupe or have a special area for it in the stone tray or behind the grill