What is the difference between oil coolers and alminum radiators? I.e. can an oil cooler be used as a radiator? If so any reason not to?

what I know:

-oil coolers can handle higher pressure 70psi (oil) vs 20psi.(coolant)

-oil coolers are made for a lower flow rate: 5gal/min vs 40gal/min (internal water pump on an CBR F4i)

-oil coolers have a black epoxy on the outside. Not sure why this is though.

-weight is comparable. Setrab 4lbs 7oz for a 13" x 7" oil cooler and 4.5lbs for a 13" x 9" x 2" aluminum C&R radiator.

 

any insight would be appriciated. Thanks,

Michael

I think you about have it, the biggest difference is handling the higher pressure.

Radiators are usually only designed for ~16 psi of pressure.

I would think you could use an oil cooler as an auxiliary radiator (for an air-to-water intercooler, for instance), but I would not use a radiator for an oil cooler.