I've been thinking about getting an oil cooler. Just want to see which route might be a better option for me. Budget is around $200.

I know Mishimoto and CX Racing both have oil cooler kit for around that price (CX is actually cheaper than that), but I've seen ppl that built their own oil cooler kit for around the same price or a tad more.

So what are the pros and cons of going with a "lesser" brand OTS kit versus a DIY kit?

Found some used Setrab coolers on eBay for like $75

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trks...at=0&_from=R40

Any thoughts on this?

Thanks.

 

if you buy a used one make sure you flush it really really really good

 

Hey Andy,

I would go with RPW kits. They're fairly cheap, but I think you'd have to fabricate your own mounting.

http://www.racerpartswholesale.com/c.../OilCoolerKits

 

Efficiency of the cooler and the oil pressure drop. If you buy a used Setrab make sure you get the adapter fittings and, as mentioned above, flush it out with a solvent first, then hot almost boiling water, and then more solvent. Blow it out with air after the flushing is done.

 

Tim,

Is that what you have? I saw your oil cooler when we met @HP dyno, but forgot to ask what kit it is.

 

Thanks! I'll definitely do that if I decide to go that route.

 

I have the Mishimoto, and it's OK. I got it before I saw RPW's kit. The Mishimoto doesn't have a thermostat, the lines are assembled with fittings and they're pretty long for our cars (at least when mounting on the passenger side near the bumper). I didn't want to mess with them, so I ran them long. I still had to come with my own way to mount them. It works, but not sure how well, because I haven't logged temperatures (Haven't gotten around to installing the temp gauge and not ideal to bring a laptop to the track to monitor with Cipher). I removed the oil-to-water cooler/heater and haven't gotten into limp mode with 20-25 minute sessions with a 7600RPM redline FWIW. No leaks on the lines or core.

I just like RPW's kit because you can assemble the lines yourself and shorten as necessary and the option with thermostat sandwich plate is cheaper that any kits I've seen.

 

I followed this DIY for the parts for my oil cooler setup. I don't recall exactly what I spent. And i came up with my own mounting solution.

https://my350z.com/forum/engine-driv...r-install.html

 

I'm running a B&M cooler, ordered a sandwich plate and built my own lines. Cost around $225

 

http://www.z1motorsports.com/350_g35...oducts_id=5265

 

Yup yup, read that one and another one for like 3-4 times now. Both were great write ups and that's what really got me thinking of building my own.

I do have a question tho, does it matter whether the inlet/outlet of the cooler be on the top or bottom? I've seen both ways. is there any particular reason to do it one way or another?

 

Yeah, figure that's about the price. the cooler runs around 70-90, the Mocal sandwich is another 80 or so, with lines, fittings, and other misc. that should total up to around $200-230 range.

 

Up is the preferred way to mount the cooler I believe. Mounted with the hoses down the cooler will drain when the car is off which will cause the dipstick to read incorrectly.

 

Mount the cooler with the fittings up or at least the outlet fitting up. That will help remove any air that might get trapped in the cooler

 

you guys are awesome! thanks!