Oil Coolers, Not just for Naan. Options

[930Tech]

I was not sure what section to put this in as it can be applied to both twin sparks and the boxer engines.

So if the mods want to move it later, feel free.

After mine and Naans earlier exchanges i've said i'd do a guide for collecting parts for an oil cooler kits, i'll keep it simple for Naan but others will be able to follw it too.

If we are doing it on the cheap, ebay will find you a low cost oil cooler from an old MG car.

This ebay link should work for a while.

I've chosen this one for you, you'll really need a 13 row for a 2.0 engine.

Link

The one listed does not say what fittings are on the cooler but it'll be either 5/8th BSP or 1/2"BSP, don't worry at this point but ask the seller what they are.

Then you'll need a sandwich plate.

This is the part that fits between the oil filter and the engine.

The above one is a standard (no thermostat Naan) one for £26, i'd recomend one with a thermostat for track work and this adds about £19 to the price, it does not open untill around 85 degrees so does not start cooling until then.

The fittings on that sandwich plate are 1/2 BSP so lets say the cooler is too.

These cheaper fittings will be fine, especially if you are on a budget, you'll need four.

If your a bit flash or would like a better look you could get annodised fittings from the likes of think automotive or demon tweeks.

If your cooler has 5/8ths fittings and the sandwich plate has 1/2" just order two of each fittings but make sure they are both for 1/2 hose.

Then you'll need some hose

Economy stuff from ebay.

More expensive options from here.

Until you find somewere to mount the oil cooler you'll not know how much pipe you'll need but two metres will be enough.

Fitting is simple, mount the cooler somewere in the air flow, i first fitted mine in front of the radiator low down and you can use some of the mounts to bolt it to the plastic guard that sits along the bottom of the radiator, a thin metal strip can hold the top part.

The sandwich plate mounts between the oil filter and the engine, so a good time to change the oil and filter, remove the old filter, fit up the sandwich plate, the threaded part that comes with the sandwich plate holds that against the block (smear of oil) and then the filter screws onto that as normal.

Fit your oil pipe fittings onto the oil cooler and then the sandwich plate and point them in a direction so that you'll have the shortest and straightest run to each other, tighten these up and your ready for the pipes.

Cut the pipes to length.

These pipes do just push on but i find putting the ends of the pipe into a cup of boiling water first softens up the pipe and makes them easier to slide on.

Once everything is lined up you can add a jubilee clip to each one and then your ready to fill up with oil.

You'll have around a half a litre of oil extra in there so just keep an eye on it as you fill up, when you run the engine it'll go down more so keep watching. if you've bought a sandwich plate with a thermostat it'll not open untill the engine gets up to temprature so again, keep an eye on the level, when it gets to temprature the level will drop, its filling up the cooler so you'll need more oil in there.

This post has been edited by E500 TAT: 11th February 2011 22:02

[NaanBread]

Im confused

[black 146]

Im confused

cool thanks for the links
i was looking on a 10bar

[cesar86]

Nice topic E500

That's something i'd like to install on my QV, very important specially for track cars!

My friend in London is coming back to Brazil in march, might well buy all the oil cooler parts and send it all to him so he can bring in his luggage

So for an oil cooler kit, one could use these?

Oil cooler 13-row

Mocal sandwich plate (couldn't find specific one for Alfas w/ thermostat, is there another option?)

Moquip fittings

Moquip 100R6 stainless braided push-on hose

This post has been edited by cesar86: 12th February 2011 08:34

[thanos_kals]

Guys i would like to ask something very important cause I am after this mod; after the thermostat opens, will not be any drop in oil pressure thus having issues with the engine?

[dante giacosa]

Guys i would like to ask something very important cause I am after this mod; after the thermostat opens, will not be any drop in oil pressure thus having issues with the engine?

Hey Thanos;

This system is widely used across many different vehicles already, and offers increased reliability through thermal assistance, rather than issues.

I’ve never seen inside a sandwich plate (although I did have this complete setup once, for a planned install in a Seicento) but as I imagine it; the thermostatic valve is sitting with oil on both sides of it already, and immeasurably affects pressure as it moves between open & closed.

The cooler & sandwich plate are pre-loaded with oil during the install.

[thanos_kals]

Thanks for your reply Dante,
I just wanted to be assured about it because i'm planning to get and install a complete set during the next oil change.

[thanos_kals]

Alright folks, here's an update for you on my Zoe,
- After a whole lot of time studying and thinking I decided to go for an oil cooler kit but with a hint of my "taste"; I did some digging around and found that the stock oil cooler from Punto GT has just the correct size to fit inside the bumper, in front of the rad on the 145 leaving also room for the A/C condenser (still pending for installation). So I found one along with its pipes and fittings so I could use them to make my own pipes towards the oil filter adaptor. Speaking of adaptor, I purchased one with a thermostat for the obvious reasons of proper cooling and lubrication.
- On top of that, because I was afraid, at first, regarding the drop in the oil pressure after the thermostat opening I installed a complete set of Greddy oil gauges (temp+press) on the sandwich plate which is after the thermostat so I can have "accurate" readings. But the sensors won't stay there for long because I have ordered from UK the corresponding adaptors to fit them properly (oil pressure sender on the blanking plug found on the head and the temp sensor on the blanking plugs next to the oil filter).
- So this weekend I put all those in the engine together with fresh oil (prior temporary immobility due to military obligations ), made some test drives around and a small highway excursion to see how the cooler and pressure perform. I'm happy to say that I had an indicated 1.4 bar at tick over and about 5 bars at 4000 rpm with indicated oil temps at the range of 80-90°C. During motorway driving the temperature sat bang on 90°.
- So happy that all those worked together properly and it's worth noting I did this on my sidewalk during the afternoon and the weather preparing for raining. Now the only bits missing are the adaptors from Merlin and McGill motorsport (I hope royal mail will solve the cyber attack soon).
- That is quite an essay but I'm done and I really hope i didn't put any strain to anyone with this! I will also post pictures if anyone is interested!

This post has been edited by thanos_kals: 23rd January 2023 12:31

[dante giacosa]

Hey Thanos-

this is REALLY interesting- can you get some pictures..?

I think to anticipate the drop in oil pressure on the thermostat opening is to 'overthink' the system.

Oil coolers have been fitted to performance engines for decades without a downside.

I've got pressure & temperature instrumentation myself, adapted from a 155 gauge-set. Arguably the most important gauges you could have for mechanical longevity.

The Punto GT adaption is a masterstroke!