I have a Mocal cooler with fancy stainless mesh-covered oil lines,
aircraft-grade fittings and thermostatic sandwich adapter that I will
be installing on my Westy.  Why?  Because a family of five plus
lugagge in a small trailer making it up the mountains on a 90 F day
equals very hot oil and drop in oil pressure even with synthetic
15w50.   The stock oil heat exchanger is not up to this task.

The issue is finding a suitable location. You certainly do not want it
under the vehicle where it would be exposed to potential damage.  the
location behind the taillight has been used by some but it requires a
bit of fabrication to box and direct the cooling air from the vent. A
thermostatically controlled fan opens up options. You then could mount
it above the trans in the tunnel and conceivably pipe some air in if
required.

I don't know if anyone tried fitting the larger Passat oil heat
exchager. It's a lot like the WBX piece but a lot thicker. It
certainly looks like it would work if you use the Passat threaded pipe
that holds it in place.  I've seen these heat exchangers for around
$190.

2009/10/20, David Cohen <Mtbdavid2@aol.com>:
> Hi,
>   I was wondering if an external oil cooler, bigger than the stock  one, is
> good for extending the life of a stock 2.1 motor in a 1990  Vanagon?
>
> Thanks,
> David
>

--
Chris S.
Disclaimer: "Death and serious injury may occur"