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In this installment of Ask The Experts, we asked you to submit your questions about oiling and cooling systems, to be answered directly by Canton Racing Products. You delivered en masse, and these are the ten questions that we sent over to Canton, with answers.
Can you determine cooling needs by engine horsepower alone? Say, 500 horsepower needs so many square inches of radiator? – Ron R.
Horsepower is a useful starting point, but it’s not the only factor. Cooling needs also depend on engine size, RPM range, ambient temperatures, airflow, vehicle weight, and intended use. A rough rule of thumb is about 1.25 to 1.5 sq. inches of radiator core area per horsepower, so for 500 HP, you’d be looking at roughly 625 to 750 square inches. However, that’s a generalization. Custom setups often need more precise calculations. We, however, recommend speaking with a reputable radiator manufacturer for a more precise answer.
What’s the difference between an expansion and a recovery tank? Do you need both? –Phil M.
An expansion tank is part of a pressurized cooling system and is typically mounted higher than the radiator to help purge air and manage pressure changes. A recovery tank, on the other hand, is not pressurized and catches overflow coolant, drawing it back into the system as the engine cools and pressure drops. You don’t necessarily need both, as your choice depends on the engine’s cooling needs and under-hood space. Expansion tanks must sit higher than the radiator, while recovery tanks can be mounted lower, making them ideal for tight engine bays. In high-temp applications, adding a recovery tank to the discharge port of an expansion tank can offer extra protection. Check out our 80-203 combo tank for an all-in-one solution. For even further information on this topic, feel free to check out our Canton blog post on our website!
Canton offers a complete line of oiling system accessories, which all work together as a system.
What is the purpose of having different PSI radiator caps? – Robert C.
Radiator cap pressure ratings control the pressure at which coolant starts to vent. Higher PSI caps raise the boiling point of coolant, allowing the system to run hotter without boiling over, which is obviously useful for performance applications. However, higher pressure also puts more strain on hoses and components, so it must match the system’s design to avoid failure.
Is there a more accurate spot than others to read engine coolant temps? – Chris L.
Yes to an extent, the accuracy of coolant temperature readings can vary greatly depending on sensor placement. For the most reliable and consistent readings, we recommend installing the temperature sensor in the water neck or thermostat housing, which is the point where coolant exits the engine and circulates back to the radiator. This location captures actively flowing coolant, giving you a true measure of engine temperature while avoiding hot spots or stagnant areas. We have numerous Canton Racing Products Coolant Fill Necks with temperature sender ports on our website that accommodate most builds, I’ll link a few recommended products below if you want to check out our different options!
When setting up an oil cooler, is an oil thermostat really necessary? – David G.
Although it is not strictly required for your oil cooler to properly function, we strongly recommend using a thermostat if possible. Using one allows oil to reach optimal temperatures and viscosity before initiating use of the oil cooler. This prevents overcooling your oil after start-up and allows your engine to more quickly reach the desired oil temperature and viscosity.
On the Accusump, is there a functional difference between the manual and electronic valves, or is it just so you don’t ever forget to open/close a manual valve? – Rolf M.
Functionally, they do the same thing, which is to control oil flow. The manual valve is simple in function and installation, but often requires opening the hood or trunk for operation, and does not provide any level of control of the oil flow once opened. The electronic valve adds automation, allowing it to open or close based on either ignition power-on or with a dash-mounted toggle switch, depending on how it is wired. For even more control, you can use one of our EPC-style electric valves, which provides additional control by opening the valve at preset oil pressure thresholds. The electric valves are a convenience and safety upgrade, ensuring they’re always active when needed and eliminating user error, especially in high-stress race situations in which you are preoccupied. For more information on these valves, see our Importance of Accusump Valve Selection and How to Choose blog post.
What’s the benefit of a liquid-cooled oil cooler compared to an air-cooled one? Kyle S.
Liquid-cooled oil coolers warm up faster and keep temps stable, which is ideal for cooler climates or street use. Air-cooled versions handle heat better in sustained, intense conditions like racing as long as adequate air flow is present.
Which is better, a screen windage tray or a louvered one? – Jake L.
Our official stance is that it depends on the application and the user, as well as what the vehicles will be doing. The screen prioritizes movement of oil through the screen away from the crank, while the louver style is a little more restricting as it’s a solid, creating a stronger barrier between the oil in the pan and the crankshaft. Dyno-wise, the screen will yield higher results due to the ability of oil to pass through away from the crank, but being a stationary environment, results may differ when a vehicle is in motion. In applications where there is significant vehicle movement, a solid louver tray may provide better results. Often, the choice depends on engine setup and whether you’re focused on top-end power or oil control under varied motion.
What’s the difference between an Accusump and a turbo oiler? Can’t you just plumb your turbo into an Accusump? – John D.
Mechanically, there is not much of a difference as they both contain a piston and hold oil pressure, but they are optimized for different purposes. The turbo oiler activates on engine shut-off only to lubricate the turbo during spool down. It has no valve to hold oil inside after shut off, no gauge to monitor air charge, and features a flow regulating fitting. The Accusump™ is designed to be used for surge or pre-lubing. They are larger capacity than Turbo oilers and feature a gauge and valve options to serve their function. You could feed a turbo from an Accusump™, but it’s not ideal.
As you can see on the left, the Accusump is larger than the Turbo Oiler (right). While they operate in a similar fasion, they perform different duties.
How difficult is it to order a custom oil pan? What’s involved? – Dan L.
It is not difficult, but there are some restrictions and considerations. Small quantities and time frames can be costly and delays can occur when incomplete information is provided. We highly recommend you find a product in our catalog that closely resembles what you need as a starting point, then thoroughly document your request for the best result. Single quantity requests of uncommon parts provide unique challenges and may not always be possible to quote. Check out our website using this link, and when ready, fill out our request for quote application.
Canton Racing Products road race diamond oil pan baffle.
