[Adam Way]

Additional pics based on questions above.


Pic of inner fender well

[taylors335]

a few of us here in cali where the ambient temps never drop below 38 degrees , have removed the t-stat completely for 100% continous flow through the oem cooler and in my case an aditional cooler kit that i fabricated myself !

[lpphreakx06]

Looks good!

[MilehighM3]

Looks great Adam! Making me jealous. I'm definitely in on a t-stat upgrade kit for those of us running an aftermarket cooler already but don't have the room for an additional cooler due to intake install. A cooler t-stat would be a widely sought after and purchased product IMO. Very nice ducting as well guys at AR!

[Jeff@TopGearSolutions]

Originally Posted by vasillalov

It looks nice indeed!

I don't like the 180F thermostat at all! This will make it more difficult for the engine to reach proper operating temperatures and also make it harder to burn off any water and fuel vapors that get diluted in the oil. ...especially so in the winter time.

180 is not really a big deal. Take your average sports or exotic and they are right in that area as well. All of them shooting for under 195 Oil temps. I'd gladly take a 180 thermostat if I could simply retrofit that.

[vasillalov]

AR Design,

Have you guys measured the oil pressure drop through those oil cooler kits? What is the BMW spec for min and max values for oil pressure for the N54?

I see a lot of companies releasing oil cooler kits and also a lot of people rigging their own, but I've never seen anyone post actual technical data of how the oil pressure is getting affected.

The lubrication of the engine is a delicate thing, I am sure we all know that. A specific oil pressure range is needed for proper engine lubrication and longevity. The last thing you want to do is create a change in the oil pressure of the engine!

I am simply trying to get more concrete understanding of the inner workings of the N54 and how certain mods affect the longevity of the engine.

Here are some examples as to why:
1. Catless dowpipes seem to be the rage for making good power. I own a set of AR catless downpipes because of the quality welds. Yeah, we are all making power with catless downpipes, but as it turns out, our turbos need certain amount of back pressure, or after a while the turbo seals begin to fail.

2. The OCC saga.. Everyone was making and selling all kinds of oil catch cans. Turns out, there is a delicate balance in the crank case system which most occs interrupt. So, it turns out stock is better than most OCCs out there.

3. AR performance radiator saga. Need I say more?...

Don't get me wrong here: I don't mean to "stir up the mud". I am just warning everyone before they start jumping into marketing hype that is not backed by actual technical research...

[RoundelM3]

Originally Posted by sdstatestud88

Definitely agree with ^^ A kit comprised of just a T stat and not a whole other Oil Cooler...

DO IT

I'll second that motion! I'd definitely like a 190-degree thermostat for my car with stock OC.

[F80M]

What's the stage 1 and 2?

[FastBimmerN54]

Originally Posted by 91Octane

What's the stage 1 and 2?

www.ardesign.info

[Adam Way]

Am I missing something here? A t-stat at 160, 180, or alternative are soooooo easy to swap out, I am not sure that this is a concern. I would think that someone could do a 160 in the summer and a 180/200 in the winter...

[FastBimmerN54]

Originally Posted by Adam Way

Am I missing something here? A t-stat at 160, 180, or alternative are soooooo easy to swap out, I am not sure that this is a concern. I would think that someone could do a 160 in the summer and a 180/200 in the winter...

Some people just drink the haterade daily around here. Great review.

[dzenno]

Originally Posted by vasillalov

AR Design,

Have you guys measured the oil pressure drop through those oil cooler kits? What is the BMW spec for min and max values for oil pressure for the N54?

I see a lot of companies releasing oil cooler kits and also a lot of people rigging their own, but I've never seen anyone post actual technical data of how the oil pressure is getting affected.

The lubrication of the engine is a delicate thing, I am sure we all know that. A specific oil pressure range is needed for proper engine lubrication and longevity. The last thing you want to do is create a change in the oil pressure of the engine!

I am simply trying to get more concrete understanding of the inner workings of the N54 and how certain mods affect the longevity of the engine.

Here are some examples as to why:
1. Catless dowpipes seem to be the rage for making good power. I own a set of AR catless downpipes because of the quality welds. Yeah, we are all making power with catless downpipes, but as it turns out, our turbos need certain amount of back pressure, or after a while the turbo seals begin to fail.

2. The OCC saga.. Everyone was making and selling all kinds of oil catch cans. Turns out, there is a delicate balance in the crank case system which most occs interrupt. So, it turns out stock is better than most OCCs out there.

3. AR performance radiator saga. Need I say more?...

Don't get me wrong here: I don't mean to "stir up the mud". I am just warning everyone before they start jumping into marketing hype that is not backed by actual technical research...

Vas, have you looked at this thread? Its off the gauge I've got now in my LeatherZ ashtray pod:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=581081

N54 with the stock oil cooler runs about 20psi at idle/cruise which is higher than typical cars out there running 3-5psi at idle, ~65psi steady at WOT and 70psi at cold start..

I quote from the other thread:

Originally Posted by dzenno

After hooking it all up last night and doing some final wiring this morning it's all hooked up and ready to go and here are the results:

Cold start idle 70psi,
hot idle 19-20psi,
WOT 3rd gear to Redline 65psi,
in gear decel 68-69psi,
neutral decel slowly goes down to 20-25psi and stays there until in gear again when it goes back up to 60psi

Minimum psi under all conditions observed was 19psi,
Max ever observed just shy of 70psi

[vasillalov]

Dzenno,

Cool info. Where is the oil pressure measured? Before or after the oil cooler?

[dzenno]

http://leatherz.com/Merchant5/mercha...Code=Gaugese90

Basically there's a little metal oil distribution block that screws into the back of the oil filter housing which then has a stainless steel braided line going to an oil pressure sender which then has a wire going over into the cabin to the ashtray mount...love that gauge panel

[BrianMN]

Originally Posted by ar design

The regular kit does not replace the OEM thermostat, so temps stay at the factory 250F. Our Stage 1 kits help keep the oil at or around 250F instead of spiking to 280-300F and limping.

Originally Posted by BrianMN

Sorry but you are wrong, no it does not.

I have done many track days and time attack sessions before and after installing the AR OC. See write up here: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=570615

Summary:

Even with boost kept at 12psi,
Before AR OC on a 90* sunny day: 280* oil temps
After AR OC on a 80* day : 270*oil temps
After AR OC on a 85* day: 275* oil temps

Pretty clear-just the addition of the 1 oil cooler does little to nothing to alleviating the heat problem.

Care to post up any testing or data you did to counter my claim?

[onesuperboi]

This plus HPF or ETS single turbo = winning

[ar design]

Originally Posted by BrianMN

Care to post up any testing or data you did to counter my claim?

There have been a number of reviews/tests posted on this forum by customers. Part of the issue is the OEM thermostat that does not open till about 250F, which makes it basically impossible for the oil to stay at 250F. Which is why we are working on a 180F thermostat setup, which will be available at a discount for customers that currently have our setup.

It seems you have a bit of a chip on your shoulder, if there is anything me/ar design needs to resolve with you, please give me a call at the shop and I will be more than happy to get anything straightened out! 303-351-3515.

[Adam Way]

AR customer service = 10. Couldn't be more pleased personally. It's rare to see someone so willing to bend over backwards.

[DefactoM6]

Yeah Brian, gotta say, Andrew has always batted 1000 when it's come to customer service, I can personally attest to that. Talk to him on this upcoming tstat solution (crossing fingers)...I'm sure he'll reach something mutually agreeable.

[ar design]

I do the best I can. Sometimes, like every other human being, I fail (radiator), but I do my best to make it right. Not sure why some people are so bent on propagating the haterade.

[vasillalov]

Originally Posted by ar design

Not sure why some people are so bent on propagating the haterade.

In case you are referring to my earlier post about the oil pressure: No, I am not trying to "propagate hatorate". I am just stating facts and asking questions at the same time. You clearly explained your logic behind the 180F oil thermostat. Thank you for doing that.

However, the oil pressure question still remains on the table. Dzenno was kind enough to remind everyone what he is seeing on his oil pressure gauge with stock oil cooler. We still have no data how the oil pressure is changed with this AR stage 3 dual oil cooler. Till then, I would warn everyone to proceed with caution.

[**335i**]

even with this kit i am happy http://www.ardesign.info/store/bmw-1...t-stage-1.html in germans autobahns was going 220-250 km/h tepms were only 120 c