PRP Dual Head Drain - Solving a problem that doesn't exist?

[Komdotkom]

I need to pull my engine when I fit a new gearbox and will change over my head drain (Spool) to something nicer and get the plumbing to the dry sump tidied up. I was doing some googling to see what was around and came across this product, according to the video it removes water from the back of the head where it gets hot.

https://www.platinumracingproducts.com/products/rb-double-head-drain-oil-coolant

I'm not aware of this issue with RB's, is this just PRP selling us something we don't need because it looks great? 

 

[Dose Pipe Sutututu]

It does mention grout filled blocks, so maybe it's applicable to those setups?

Plenty of SAU guys race their cars from grassroots motorsports (me) all the way to competition level ( @Duncan @34GeeTeeTee etc.) and we all don't have issues with water cooling or flow, it's more so keeping oil temps within its working parameters.

[Komdotkom]

I suspect that's who it's aimed at. Just to be clear, I don't have any cooling issues; I've spent plenty of time and money on the cooling system and it's got a 3 pass radiator, swirl pot and header tank which bleeds the system of air. 

I'd be interested to see if there was a temperature difference across the head significant enough to impact mixtures.

 

[bcozican]

I have this head drain on my engine setup. It was already on the complete engine I bought when I got it.

We used the oil drain line to the sump and blocked the water line, others that run the same setup mine is based off for motorsport use and recommend the water line. 

Btw - I have a spare brand new one for sale if you want it 😄

Edited February 1, 2023 by bcozican

[Dose Pipe Sutututu]

People have been racing RBs for more than 2 decades on circuits without issue, if it was an issue HKS/GReddy/Tomei, etc. would have addressed this problem decades ago.

Like how HKS brought out the V-Cam setup for RB26 owners wanting more low down.

[Piggaz]

  On 31/01/2023 at 11:53 PM, Dose Pipe Sutututu said:

People have been racing RBs for more than 2 decades on circuits without issue, if it was an issue HKS/GReddy/Tomei, etc. would have addressed this problem decades ago.

Like how HKS brought out the V-Cam setup for RB26 owners wanting more low down.

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The head that HKS did for me back in 2010 did add a fitting in the back of the head. -8 line around the front and tee’d in somewhere. Can’t remember where.

No idea if it does anything or not.

[Komdotkom]

  On 31/01/2023 at 11:52 PM, bcozican said:

I have this head drain on my engine setup. It was already on the complete engine I bought when I got it.

We used the oil drain line to the sump and blocked the water line, others that run the same setup mine is based off for motorsport use and recommend the water line. 

Btw - I have a spare brand new one for sale if you want it 😄

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Pm in coming.

[r32-25t]

I’ve installed one on my new engine and plumbed the -8 into the back of the top radiator hose 

[Komdotkom]

I log coolant temps in a few different places so I can add another one to the feed out of the rear of the head and see what the difference is.

 

[RB335]

My engine builder builds many high power track RB's,  lots of dollars in the head, when I asked about the rear coolant drain he talked me out of it, so just doing oil drain only.

My previous experience with PRP is the bloke who runs it likes to sell all sorts of stuff and talk you into all sorts of stuff whether it benefits you, or whether it doesn't benefit you.

Edited March 4, 2023 by RB335

[MBS206]

Interesting thought to have:

People are saying water coolant temps are easy to keep down.

However, some need a lot of work on oil cooling.

Water temps are normally taken at the front of the motor or on the rad inlet/outlets.

Water and oil flow very differently in the motor.

 

What if, your oil is doing the majority of the cooling in the back of the engine?

Wouldn't this mean better water flow, less struggle with oil temps...

 

There is a reason those water heat exchangers work not only to help warm up the water quickly at startup, but also stabilise oil temperatures when oil starts to get warmer than water temp.

Possibly people using those oil/water heat exchangers could help with their oil temps too if oil temps are getting higher than water temp...

 

Just a few thoughts, as the issue people have is high oil temps in racing, which could be from poor thermal management, particularly from water flow...

[martyspec]

  On 04/03/2023 at 10:30 AM, RB335 said:

My engine builder builds many high power track RB's,  lots of dollars in the head, when I asked about the rear coolant drain he talked me out of it, so just doing oil drain only.

My previous experience with PRP is the bloke who runs it likes to sell all sorts of stuff and talk you into all sorts of stuff whether it benefits you, or whether it doesn't benefit you.

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My experience with the guy that runs PRP (Herman) is quite the opposite. He has talked me out of purchases more than into one.