[M3to335]

I was considering taking off the OEM oil cooler and throwing on something a bit more efficient. After seeing what they go for on this forum, I nearly crapped.

A buddy of mine with a C4 just picked up a nice standard oil cooler online for next to nothing. I realize some fabrication i neccessary to plubb the stock lines into an aftermarket cooler, but is it worth the several hundred extra dollars?

I have access to a CNC mill, lathe, waterjet, and everything else under the sun. So, pending it CAN be done, what specifically will be my largest hurdle? Also, who has already done it?

[flem]

it shouldn't be that bad... I am considering doing it myself...

whatever you do get rid of the stock lines and run some high temp line... scratch that... I'm not too sure on the size of the line yet lol

[Xander]

I totally agree, now that it's a little above freezing outside and I have a some time I am gonna look into it too. Like you said it's not rocket science. LOL

X...

[RMA]

VK motorwerks has one available and Dinan as well. I personally will be waiting on Spearco's OC (should be released later this year).

[enrita]

my AR is on his way 2 is better than one!

[flem]

I'm gonna start lookin into it as soon as I get some other projects finished...

Originally Posted by RMA

VK motorwerks has one available and Dinan as well. I personally will be waiting on Spearco's OC (should be released later this year).

Spearco is making one???

Originally Posted by Xander

I totally agree, now that it's a little above freezing outside and I have a some time I am gonna look into it too. Like you said it's not rocket science. LOL

X...

it most definitely is not rocket science... I'll try to figure out what oem parts are needed for sure

[RMA]

Yes Spearco/Code 3 is making one

[335iheLLraiseR]

if i remeber correctly the size fittings are AN -7, (i Believe) last time i checked. B&M has a nice econimical cooler, with a good surface area. You can get the lines from Jegs.

I have some info if you want, its spread out through a couple of different threads but i can find them.

The setrab cooler AR is using is ideal, i wanted one a tad bigger. The only wall i ran into was getting ahold of a Louvre. My intention was to see if Dinan would sell it apart from the kit. Never tried though. Even if they did, id hate to see what the asking price is.

[M3to335]

Originally Posted by 335iheLLraiseR

if i remeber correctly the size fittings are AN -7, (i Believe) last time i checked. B&M has a nice econimical cooler, with a good surface area. You can get the lines from Jegs.

I have some info if you want, its spread out through a couple of different threads but i can find them.

The setrab cooler AR is using is ideal, i wanted one a tad bigger. The only wall i ran into was getting ahold of a Louvre. My intention was to see if Dinan would sell it apart from the kit. Never tried though. Even if they did, id hate to see what the asking price is.

Sure, any info you have would be great. I think the biggest obstacle is getting lines to tap into the exisiting outlet. Id rather not cut the exisiting metal part of the line and throw a flange and aN fittings on there.

Do you know the dimensions of the current cooler? If not, dont worry about it, Im going to take a look at it tonight anyway. I'd think the whole project should be about $125 out the door with simple Summit Racing parts

[RynoDyno312]

I have used B&M trans coolers before and they worked very well, not to mention you can get 5 or 6 of them for what most vendors charger for a bolt-in cooler. It's really not that difficult--just run the lines and find a good place to mount the cooler.

[M3to335]

Yeah, my buddy and I think we've figured out a way to get this to work. We will need to make a couple adapters to thread into the exisiting fitting up by the oil filter. Next come off that with some an-8 90s into steel braded hose and down to the cooler. As far as mounting the cooler, Im sure we can waterjet a nice bracket.

[roamer]

The Derale Plate and Fin coolers look pretty good and are quite reasonable. Did you ever determine the size of the stock cooler and fittings? What type of cooling is used (plate or tube)? I think it would make the most sense to simply put in a larger cooler into the existing location and tap into the existing lines (if your car has the factory cooler). Personally, I would like to leave the other federwell open for increased water cooling . . .

[M3to335]

After measuring the stock locatoin, I tried to spec out the largest cooler that could fit. Using the existing lines isnt a possibility. Your going to need to machine a couple fittings that fit into the oil filter location and have tapped back sides. Then you can run standard 8an lines to the new cooler off those fittings. Also, your going to need to waterjet and bend one bracket to support the new cooler. Its not at all difficult, but if you dont have access to a lathe or a water jet, have fun

Earls Temp-a-Cure coolers are real good. The 82508ERL is bigger than anything else the guys on the forum sell. Its face area is 85.25in and is 2" thick. They offer a smaller cooler as well.

Thursday I'm going to log oil temps at the track. If it induces a limp, then its time to do the upgrade just mentioned.

What I cant understand is how VK and Dinan are ducting to the cooler? Do they just use the stock duct?

[kenneth]

I am really really interested in this too, as I intend to track my car. Keep us posted in what you find is required in terms of parts. Thanks bro!

Couple of things I remember from prior reading involve the stock O-rings and thermostat!

[roamer]

I really am surprised at how hot this car runs. I had a few high-speed jaunts with sustained boost and the temp jumped to 230-240 degrees. This would be great in 80 degree weather, but it was in the low 40's at the time! This has me concerned about the stock cooler's performance in warm/humid weather.

[roamer]

Also, I did look at the Earl's coolers and they look like a great option.

Here is another thread from a BMW site in Singapore which has some nice photos of the stock cooler mounting. It does not look like there is much more width available in the fender. http://www.bmw-sg.com/forums/group-b...e-package.html

Lastly, does anyone have the correct fitting sizes on the pump housing? I don't think AN-7 is an actual fitting size (it would equate to 7/16"). They all seem to be even-numbered.

[ar design]

There is no such thing as a -7 AN fitting. The OEM fittings are proprietary O-Ring slip fittings.

We designed/built our own shroud.

If enough people are interested, we might be talked into releasing a partial kit that would supply our CNC'd, hard anodized aluminum adapter - for anyone that wants to DIY the oil cooler.

[M3to335]

AR, you can make a much cheaper/quicker alternative to the CNC'ed adapter if you see fit. Im assuming your CNC'ing one solid chunk to go to the inlet and oulet. Its hard to explain without showing you the drawing, but you can machine two simple seperate collars (which incorporate an area for the o-ring and threaded end for the -8 AN fitting) and sandwitch them with a waterjet plate. But if machine costs dont matter, I guess it doenst matter

Also, I understand how you made a new shroud for the additional cooler, but I was more curious how others address a larger cooler in the existing location. Its tight in there for sure!

[ar design]

Our original design was actually a 3-piece like you mentioned (two tube adapters/collars and a lpate to hold em in...) I feel this one is far superior, and cost wise isnt that bad. It also allows us to do our twin oil cooler setup, which the tube/collar setup doesnt.

[roamer]

The AR products are nice, the only reason I am not headed in that direction is because I would like to keep the driver side wheel well open for the BMW second radiator.

However, I would definitely be interested in AR's adapter!

[MrWhite1015]

if there is a cheap way for AR to make a DIY kit for people without an oil cooler that would be amazing .... count me in !

[roamer]

Has anyone made any progress on this?