Power steering cooler for Hydroboost setup racing?

[anguilla1980]

This is going on a 1969 Firebird that currently has no cooler and these cars are notorious for boiling the P/S fluid from the factory with even a little spirited driving. I now have a fast ratio steering box, wide front tires, and with all of my upgraded suspension I'll be using the car for club road racing, so much longer sessions than just auto-x. I'm in the CA desert where you can imgaine the worst possible tempreature scenario plus the steering box is practically touching the headers, only protection now is coated headers and a heat shield on the side of the steering box.

I'm looking at what power steering cooler to buy. I will be running a Hydroboost which I believe adds considerably to this as the pressure is so high. I plan on a generic plate type Derale universal cooler, looking for some guidance on how many cooling rows and dimensions.

This seems to be the most basic one:

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/der-13215

But due to my vehicles demands, I'm considering this one:

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/der-52506

Suggestions, comments? Thanks!!

[WallaceMFG]

Considering you live in the Southwest like I do, go for the biggest cooler you can fit. The hydroboost puts a lot of heat in the fluid with hard driving, you have to keep the fluid cool so you don't cook your pump or something else. Plus the added capacity of the bigger cooler will help just by having more fluid in the system to dissipate heat.

We have one of the round finned style coolers on our car with HB and quick ratio steering box, about 18" long that gets the job done.

Never skimp on cooling, ever. So many cars out there can't be used properly in the summer because people cheap out on radiators, coolers, fans, etc...

[anguilla1980]

Thanks for the advice. Looks like I'll get to measuring and maybe even have a custom one made by C&R. I have room for one under the radiator/AC condenser all along the entire width of the lower rad support.

Another thought, I run this for my oil cooler:

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/der-15845

Maybe I'll just run the same for my P/S so I can run it on the side of the radiator support opposite my oil cooler. Then I can have my Holley control the fans on it like it does for my oil. I wouldn't have thought I needed to go that hardcore on my P/S cooling....

Would you san -6AN is appropriate for P/S?

[vette427-sbc]

Would you san -6AN is appropriate for P/S?

Yes. Regular AN fittings can be used on the low pressure side, but there are specific fittings and hose for the pressure side.
Check these guys out for coolers. Their own brand has alot of different sizes available and they are really nicely made. I went from Mocal coolers to 2 of their coolers.
http://www.improvedracing.com/oiling-system/oil-coolers-c-3_17.html

[anguilla1980]

Thanks. Yes, I run their oil and trans cooler thermostats, good stuff.

I asked about -6AN not as in "if" it cane be done, but if that would be an appropriate size without being too large or too small for P/S.

[vette427-sbc]

Thanks. Yes, I run their oil and trans cooler thermostats, good stuff.

I asked about -6AN not as in "if" it cane be done, but if that would be an appropriate size without being too large or too small for P/S.

Ahh... I believe 3/8 (-6) is the standard return line size for stock hydro trucks/vans, but Im not sure about going to -8... There was another thread about hydroboost acting weird and someone mentioned the flow back to the reservoir was not right. Im not qualified to answer that though :dunno:

[anguilla1980]

Yeah I saw that thread too, interesting. I'll give IR a call and see what they say.

Thanks!

[WallaceMFG]

We have -6 hoses on the pressure and return sides, and I think we have a -10 on the pump inlet from the reservoir. You don't want to starve the pump of fluid, you'd be surprised how much fluid these systems move even when you are just at idle.