Non-OEM oil cooler setup

[windnsea00]

Hmm, I may look into this for my S52 M coupe.

[mazur]

I would suggest checking out Ebay for oil coolers used by NASCAR teams. They're usually Setrab coolers. I got one for $50 that costs $250 new!

[StereoInstaller1]

For you guys wanting track worthy oil cooling, seems to me you could bypass the thermometer in the stock housing and make custom lines pretty damn easy...hell the thing only runs at 50 PSI, maybe 80 max.

Is it the need for gauges or what?

[MR 325]

I would suggest checking out Ebay for oil coolers used by NASCAR teams. They're usually Setrab coolers. I got one for $50 that costs $250 new!

I'd be scared to run a used cooler on my motor.

[golde30]

I'd be scared to run a used cooler on my motor.

really? i mean the stock m20 ones have like 200K usually, and its the lines that leak, not the actual oil cooler.

[Mako18]

I will be using a 87 rx7 oil cooler its similar to the stock m20 cooler and can fit in the stock location or behind the kidneys but deff larger/nicer cooler. I am planning to pick up that cap then custom lines to the cooler in the stock location. I got the & cooler off my 7 so it was free.. Poor poor rx7 used for e30 upgrades..hahaha

[jflower]

Does the E28 M5 cooler count as non OEM? It mounts easily, though not entirely horizontal.


Huge pic...

I haven't installed any of the lines yet, but you need two M22x1.5 female to AN -10 adapters, then all the hose and fittings, then the kit from any one of the turner/bimmerworld places to use AN fittings with the Euro oil filter housing. Tons of other ways to do it though - you can get fittings with the correct M22x1.5 thread, but I want to go with the adapter.

[der affe]

I will be using a 87 rx7 oil cooler its similar to the stock m20 cooler and can fit in the stock location or behind the kidneys but deff larger/nicer cooler. I am planning to pick up that cap then custom lines to the cooler in the stock location. I got the & cooler off my 7 so it was free.. Poor poor rx7 used for e30 upgrades..hahaha

here is a pic of one on my A-2 jetta



you are going to have to modify a few things before you use it though.

FIRST: you are going to need to remove the stock thermostat from the cooler itself. it is set to 130deg. way too cold for any BMW, your oil will never get up to temp. then you need to tap out the hold and GREEN loctite in an AN ALUMINUM pipe plug then peen it to make sure it don't come loose.

SECOND. weld some an fittings on to the oil cooler. unless you are going to try to reuse the banjo style lines. thsi will make it easier to run your fittings and lines


if i remember it added another 2 quarts to the oil capacity of my jetta

[der affe]

I'd be scared to run a used cooler on my motor.

there is nothing wrong with running a used oil cooler. just thoroughly flush the dam thing! you should do that with a NEW cooler anyways!

i hate to tell you, but, the cooler you are wanting to use, SUCKS as an oil cooler. it flows awesome with almost no pressure drop, but doesn't do a good job of cooling the oil. there was a big testing done on these VS the "Mesa" plate type of oil cooler

like this. they are available in sizes from 6" X 12" to 12" X 12" and are a much better choice.

i would go with the RX-7 cooler though. you can get them cheap and the work almost too well!

[MR 325]

there is nothing wrong with running a used oil cooler. just thoroughly flush the dam thing! you should do that with a NEW cooler anyways!

i hate to tell you, but, the cooler you are wanting to use, SUCKS as an oil cooler. it flows awesome with almost no pressure drop, but doesn't do a good job of cooling the oil. there was a big testing done on these VS the "Mesa" plate type of oil cooler

like this. they are available in sizes from 6" X 12" to 12" X 12" and are a much better choice.

i would go with the RX-7 cooler though. you can get them cheap and the work almost too well!

Hmm, interesting. I've never heard anythign bad about them. Ran a very similar one on my old car too. Does Summit sell the one you're reccomending? If not, where's a good place to check it out?

[der affe]

you could get it from summit for sure, but if you look at LATEST RAGE (air cooled VW stuff) they usually have the best price.

look for a "mesa" plate type oil cooler. just make sure that you mount it with some kind of a rubber isolator (even a thick rubber washer between the cooler and whatever you are mounting it to.

i think it was HOT VW'S or VW TRENDS that did the article on them comparing the tube type and the plate type.

you are going to want to get either the 72 plate (12" X 10") or the 96 plate (12" X 12") either should fit nicely behind the kidney

[der affe]

if you want to see one in person check out your local air cooled vw shop. they are everywhere in CA.
where is la crescenta (sp)? i used to work in the VW parts/performance industry for a long time. i'll see if i can find someone close to you.

[windnsea00]

Found a link for the Mesa oil coolers:

http://www.vwparts.net/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=MESACOOLER&Store_Code=VWP&search=mesa+oil+cooler&offset=0&filter_cat=&PowerSearch_Begin_Only=&sort=&range_low=&range_high=

Cheap price! So with the IE oil cooler cap ($150) and a Mesa cooler I'm looking at ~$200 (not including hoses) for a nice setup. Sure beats putting on the OE ~$800 S50B32/S54 oil cooler setup I was looking at. When I was at Buttonwillow in July my S52 Mcoupe was getting a bit above 260* oil temps after 10-15 mins. of track time.

[der affe]

you are going to put it in the stock location, i would go for the RX-7 oil cooler. it is actually even better. (we would duct tape up the one on the Karmann Ghia roadrace car when it was cold in the mornings so it could bet up to temp)
it should fit in the stock location with out too much hassle, and you can find them on the cheap at pick and pulls

[der affe]

here is the link for latest rage. they are in Alpine, CA.

http://www.latestrage.net/

if you are in the Stanton, Orange, Anaheim areas you can hardly throw a rock without hitting a VW shop

i have dealt with vee dub parts unlimited and the a good guys BTW