DIY oil cooler install
07-31-2010, 06:46 PM
#1
DIY oil cooler install
Most of the parts list came from
http://www.kohlercreated.com/blog/?p=3173
Only thing I changed was the oil cooler, the one used in that link is a bit too small.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/EAR-41610ERL/ this one is 13x5 a tad bit bigger then the 8x5 and only 20 bucks more. N/A users the smaller one is fine, with FI I wanted to bump up the size a bit.
I also used strips of aluminum from Lowes they ran me around 5 bucks a pop. got 2, 3 footers. one was maybe 1/2 inch while the other was 3/4 maybe?
I used nothing but basic tools.
wrenches
screwdrivers
hammer
electric hand drill
random drill bits
punch for making little marks in the metal to help with drilling in the correct spot.
files for sanding
vice
hacksaw
Thread lock (the blue stuff)
random nuts/bolts with lock washers and the nuts with the plastic inserts whatever they're called.
Anyone who says they can't do their own work because they don't have a shop/garage all I can say is wahhh wahhh wahhhhhh
The hardest part of this job was walking from the parking lot to the deck on the back of the house over and over and over.
onto the pictures.
I zipped tied it into place to see if my bumper cover would fit.
My work shop was my railing. I only had to go downstairs to pick up random tools like 4 times.
The cooler is very solid, it feels like it's meant to be there. I'm not a big fan of the installs where it's just sorta kinda put in a spot with 2 little brackets sorta kind of holding it place.
I would have liked to of put it on the passenger side due to the oil lines/turbo being on the driver side, but there was just too much going on over there. So it went to the drivers side. I ran the lines down between the intercooler and radiator. While I'm not a fan of how low the lines sit, they are not the lowest part of the car in fact the front bumper cover sits much lower so hopefully I have no issues with it.
http://www.kohlercreated.com/blog/?p=3173
Only thing I changed was the oil cooler, the one used in that link is a bit too small.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/EAR-41610ERL/ this one is 13x5 a tad bit bigger then the 8x5 and only 20 bucks more. N/A users the smaller one is fine, with FI I wanted to bump up the size a bit.
I also used strips of aluminum from Lowes they ran me around 5 bucks a pop. got 2, 3 footers. one was maybe 1/2 inch while the other was 3/4 maybe?
I used nothing but basic tools.
wrenches
screwdrivers
hammer
electric hand drill
random drill bits
punch for making little marks in the metal to help with drilling in the correct spot.
files for sanding
vice
hacksaw
Thread lock (the blue stuff)
random nuts/bolts with lock washers and the nuts with the plastic inserts whatever they're called.
Anyone who says they can't do their own work because they don't have a shop/garage all I can say is wahhh wahhh wahhhhhh
The hardest part of this job was walking from the parking lot to the deck on the back of the house over and over and over.
onto the pictures.
I zipped tied it into place to see if my bumper cover would fit.
My work shop was my railing. I only had to go downstairs to pick up random tools like 4 times.
The cooler is very solid, it feels like it's meant to be there. I'm not a big fan of the installs where it's just sorta kinda put in a spot with 2 little brackets sorta kind of holding it place.
I would have liked to of put it on the passenger side due to the oil lines/turbo being on the driver side, but there was just too much going on over there. So it went to the drivers side. I ran the lines down between the intercooler and radiator. While I'm not a fan of how low the lines sit, they are not the lowest part of the car in fact the front bumper cover sits much lower so hopefully I have no issues with it.
Last edited by jeffie7; 07-31-2010 at 07:02 PM.
07-31-2010, 08:10 PM
#4
Nice job... I got the same blue hoses and mounted on the same side with some slack so I can move it around... didn't have to fab a bracket since I have the crash guard -- just bolted it up to the bottom side. Considering swapping the cooler with a larger one, I think mine is just the 8x5...
07-31-2010, 08:39 PM
#5
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Very good job, but i think i would recommend actual hose clamps at the an fitting ends versus 2 zip ties.........I would say for a more worry free secure means.....not worth it popping off and oil out of engine...
-J
-J
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08-01-2010, 07:32 AM
#13
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What all was going on with the passenger side that wouldn't let it fit? I have a G and i see a lot of 350z's putting it on drivers side so obviously something is going on.
Nice bracket work, looks solid as hell. Mine is bolted to some angle iron and pretty secure so your's has to be rock solid. It would have been much better to mount it fittings down, but with your charge pipe there i see why you can't. It'll just hold some oil during your oil changes but no worries since you seem like hte person that keeps their oil clean and changed on time.
