Earl's Design

For many years, professional racers have been using modular style oil coolers almost exclusively. Virtually every Formula One, Indy and GTP or Trans–Am car depends on these type units for engine and transaxle cooling. Temp–A–Cure coolers have been developed specifically for use in all types of engines and transmissions subjected to temperature extremes, including competition and high performance uses. They are designed for the range of air speeds and oil flows normally encountered in automotive use, but built to aircraft standards of quality. They are constructed of high grade aluminum and are completely furnace brazed to insure the most thermally efficient joint possible between the oil tubes and air fins. The internal design of the oil tubes and the large area collector tanks provide maximum surface area with minimum pressure drop. The highly concentrated air fins offer maximum heat transfer to the outside air.

Typical Tube & Fin Design

The tube and fin cooler has little to offer in the way of efficient oil cooling. Its typical serpentine design has a large pressure drop due to the tube length and to the restricted bends. The tube and fin cooler cannot approach the cooling efficiency of Earl's Fin density and oil side to air side mechanical bond. If the tube and fin serpentine style were the most efficient in terms of cooling, wouldn't you expect to see this
design used for radiators on OEM installations and racing cars?