Completed the project about a week ago with the help of Zolti from Rennsport. After testing the system for a while, I have decided to post a write up.
What you see here is a Setrab oil cooler mounted on top of the ASA intercooler. Brackets were customized to fit the oil cooler. The OEM oil filter cap is replaced by a special oil cap by VPD. This oil cap has two portings that allow oil to be channelled out to and back from the oil cooler. The orange lines you see are actually flame proof material that protects the hoses. As you can see, the front intake manifold, once seen as an useless piece, has its worthiness in this project. The lines are tucked in nicely through the exit. After installation, about 1/2 quart of extra engine oil is needed to fill up the system.
Max temperature drop is about 18F for a 77F highway driving . This is actually a good drop considered the most oil coolers cool about about 10F to 25F. For local mid-day LA traffic, the temperature never passed 98C (~208F). Note that I have an oil temperature sender that is located at the oil sump. But we claim (with confidence) that the actual temperature drop across the oil cooler has to be greater than 18F. A good knowledge of how the lubrication system works in the engine will support this claim. This will be verified with some additional senders and more wiring, plumbing work.
The project as you see here is completed and will most probably be offered as a basic kit to folks with the ASA SK1 setup.
I have yet to test it on the tracks. But be sure to read my review after the upcoming Buttonwillow event on Apr 24/25. :thumbup:
Excellent! And I like the fact that it's black so you can't see it through the front grill. I just came from reading about ASA SC's in the March issue of BMW Car at Borders Books, excellent article.
<b>BWMguy206:</b> I have heard about that as well about E36 SC setup. If I am not wrong, turbo setup have generally lower oil temps than SC setup. Since Laguna Seca and seeing 248F for a couple of sessions, I have decided to embark on the engine oil cooler project. I am now ready for Buttonwillow.
<b>mtfour:</b> You're half right about why I chose black. The other reason is, as I mentioned in another thread before, about black body radiation. Black body, although, absorbs more heat, tends to release more heat as well. Since oil temp flowing through the cooler is significantly higher than ambient temperature, heat transfer more from oil cooler to surrounding.
Very nice write up Vince, so is this kit going to be included in the asa package? Hopefully its available when I get my asa, hopefully this summer....
I'll let you know when I there so you can check my light, remember?
Nice, its good to see oilcoolers on non AA s/ced cars; please post track results on how much cooler it keeps the oil. But with the intercooler and oilcooler infront of the radiator, how will it get any air flow over it?
VPD supplied the cap. We gather the rest of the parts and fab the brackets ourselves. I wanted a Setrab cooler to beging with. If I am not wrong, AA's oil cooler is for the compressor oil not engine oil. Radiator efficiency is not affected.
SpeedinBlueBimmer said:
Nice, its good to see oilcoolers on non AA s/ced cars; please post track results on how much cooler it keeps the oil. But with the intercooler and oilcooler infront of the radiator, how will it get any air flow over it?
Ironic, I just got some of the parts for my oil cooler setup; I am going the more OEM route though...I like the idea of the cap, although I have heard it is not the best method of doing it.
What are you using for thermostatic control of the cooler?
Yes I have researched using the E36 M Euro or E46 M oil filter housing. There are some issues to be sorted out to work on an E46 non-M. Shouldn't be that difficult but can be resolved. Also, the OEM cooler is a little small for me at least. I am assuming you're going with aftermarket cooler and hoses?
The VPD cap allows filtered oil to be cooled. This is definitely a plus point. Cooling filtered oil is more efficient than cooling pre-filtered oil. Other "huh" factors include advising dealers how to change oil etc. Also, this cap uses BMW OEM filter and seal.
Thermostatic control unit is omitted for this particular application. But I will strongly recommend using one for you folks on the east coast where winter can get really chilly. I have no problem warming up the oil in the morning here. If you are looking for one, get a Mocal piece. Best in the market.
In any case, keep me posted of your progress. Always good to know! :thumbup:
RichP said:
Ironic, I just got some of the parts for my oil cooler setup; I am going the more OEM route though...I like the idea of the cap, although I have heard it is not the best method of doing it.
What are you using for thermostatic control of the cooler?
Very cool. The EuroM setup has a built in thermostat; I need to bring it to the local machine shop so it will accept the US VANOS line, accept an NPT thread for the lines, and figure out where I am putting the damn power steering res.
I am shopping for the lines and cooler right now, the OEM one is a bit undersized, and expensive to boot. If I am spending this time and money, I am going big (well, bigger) guns.
I appreciate the help, I basically went with everything from aeroquip; my friend is building up a subaru, and knows this stuff like the back of his hand (and as you know, making lines with all the connector can be a daunting task).
In general guys, the oil cooler on an NA car or an ASA equipped car is just a nice addition to have, but not a necessity. However, the ROTREX blower on the AA cars is so sensitive and fragile it needs an oil cooler so its clutch system can work properly (I remember reading the max oil temp is like 140 degrees or something, which is very low for an engine component)
Completed the project about a week ago with the help of Zolti from Rennsport. After testing the system for a while, I have decided to post a write up.
What you see here is a Setrab oil cooler mounted on top of the ASA intercooler. Brackets were customized to fit the oil cooler. The OEM oil filter cap is replaced by a special oil cap by VPD. This oil cap has two portings that allow oil to be channelled out to and back from the oil cooler. The orange lines you see are actually flame proof material that protects the hoses. As you can see, the front intake manifold, once seen as an useless piece, has its worthiness in this project. The lines are tucked in nicely through the exit. After installation, about 1/2 quart of extra engine oil is needed to fill up the system.
Max temperature drop is about 18F for a 77F highway driving . This is actually a good drop considered the most oil coolers cool about about 10F to 25F. For local mid-day LA traffic, the temperature never passed 98C (~208F). Note that I have an oil temperature sender that is located at the oil sump. But we claim (with confidence) that the actual temperature drop across the oil cooler has to be greater than 18F. A good knowledge of how the lubrication system works in the engine will support this claim. This will be verified with some additional senders and more wiring, plumbing work.
The project as you see here is completed and will most probably be offered as a basic kit to folks with the ASA SK1 setup.
I have yet to test it on the tracks. But be sure to read my review after the upcoming Buttonwillow event on Apr 24/25. :thumbup:
That was a good idea. I should consider re-routing mine. Smair, on another note with regards the ASA article in the March edtion of BMW Car. The article indicates that ASA kits were designed with an oil cooler. Is that incorrect?
Smair, on another note with regards the ASA article in the March edtion of BMW Car. The article indicates that ASA kits were designed with an oil cooler. Is that incorrect?
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