For once I have decided I should think a bit about this idea before I dive into design and prototypes. So for me this means setting up for some serious testing. If I am going to design, make and sell parts, I want them to be tested and proven to actually work/function/serve a purpose. So many of the finned cover products for sale online right now claim to reduce oil temperature because of better heat dissipation. This must be bullshit because I have never seen any tests or actual numbers.
The plan is to install 3 temperature sensors, plus an oil pressure sensor. One temp sensor will be in the typical place being the head - spark plug fitting, one will be in the sump (ie. before the oil has passed through the oil filter) then one just after the oil filter - after the oil has passed through the filter and filter cover. This way I will be able to get an oil temperature before and after its journey through the oil filter and cover, plus have a test constant - being the head temperature. I will install 1/8''-27 NPT fittings for the sensors and be able to do before and after comparisons. I will test the stock cover, a couple of different aftermarket covers bought online, plus my design. I think this approach will yield much more accurate/reliable results than using a laser pointer heat/temp gun.
With the oil pressure, I will do a test with the stock filter cover, then a test with my design and see if there is any difference. If there are any pressure losses, I will call it a fail and abandon the project.
Today I installed the first one - in the sump plug. I made sure it doesn't block/foul the oil pick up in anyway. But the sensor head will be fully emerged in the oil so it should give a pretty accurate result.
I learned something new today too, something that to many of you will be a 'duh, you idiot' kinda thing... I found out that NPT threads/fittings have a taper! Haha. When I was tapping the thread in the sump plug, I was wondering why the deeper I went, I was getting more resistance on the tap. Now I know
Lucky I didn't go too deep!