GROUP BUY - Oil Cooler?

[shimmy]

I am going to fit an increased capacity oil cooler this spring as it is obvious to me that the S54 in the m3/CSL suffers from too much heat.

I have a few different in mind, mainly US based and if we buy a few instead of one we can get prices well below face value, you never know we might be able to find someday of avoiding some import duty.........

I think we are talking about £400 plus tax and post before discounts so £600 ish.

I am currently looking for direct replacements for OEM COOLERS but I'm speaking to Simpsons next week and maybe looking at secondary coolers.

Anybody interested and I'll post up some ideas and options? :smokin:

[Bounce]

Turner motorsport do an uprated oil cooler for the E46 M3/CSL Shim.

[Bounce]

Or this one:smokin:http://www.horsepowerfreaks.com/images/products/hpf/oilcooler/hpfoilcooler13.jpg

[mattCSLnut]

Or this one:smokin:http://www.horsepowerfreaks.com/images/products/hpf/oilcooler/hpfoilcooler13.jpg
How teeny tiny & pathetic :clown: does that OEM oil cooler look ? :bigcry:

[mattCSLnut]

What about this offering from CA Automotive Shim ?

http://ca-int.co.uk/single_prod-cHJvZF9pZD0xOTYxJmNhcl9tYWtlPWJtdyZjYXJfdHlwZT1lMz YmY2F0X2lkPTcmY29tcF9pZD04.html

[shimmy]

That one Brett is not for S54 and I think a Simpsons alternate using a Mota cooler would try to do the same thing but you have problem with space ESP if you have a/c rad

OPTIONS to replace OEM are Turner, Fluidyne, Bimmerworld, HPF

All are a little bit different but I think the BIMMERWORLD one is best and cheapest and direct replacement, longer and double pass cooler.

http://store.bimmerworld.com/bimmerworldcr-racing-e46-m3-oil-cooler-p1517.aspx

http://maxcdn.nexternal.com/bimmerworl/images/E46M_Cooler_5001.jpg

CA do sell one but it's nearly £1000

the HPF one comes with or without the ducting which on M3 is not required so $100 cheaper.

[mattCSLnut]

CA do sell one but it's nearly £1000


The CA link shows a kit for E46 M3 @ £498 inc VAT :smt017

http://ca-int.co.uk/single_prod-cHJvZF9pZD0xOTYxJmNhcl9tYWtlPWJtdyZjYXJfdHlwZT1lMz YmY2F0X2lkPTcmY29tcF9pZD04.html

[Bounce]

A few more pics http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=792079

[shimmy]

The CA link shows a kit for E46 M3 @ £498 inc VAT :smt017

http://ca-int.co.uk/single_prod-cHJvZF9pZD0xOTYxJmNhcl9tYWtlPWJtdyZjYXJfdHlwZT1lMz YmY2F0X2lkPTcmY29tcF9pZD04.html

Yes sorry Matt, it is S54 and an option but I think if possible on our cars with a/c Simpson could do this cheaper, BUT I am not sure more package to the water rad is the best solution. It is already very congested,


A few more pics http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=792079

Cheers Brett

The HPF with duct is mainly to pickup air from under the car on cars fitted with s/c I think I read somewhere. I think for standard NA cars you don't need the very nice duct so $100 cheaper.


In my reading so far it's not just capacity that makes cooling better but the way the cooler works. It seems double pass is the better way to go but still reading

[cantfind1]

I am in if its the Bimmerworld one.. Have heard very good things about this one...

[cantfind1]

Or this kit

http://store.vacmotorsports.com/vac---e46-m3-racing-oil-cooler-heat-exchanger-upgrade-kit-p1446.aspx

[shimmy]

yep definitely an option, and cheaper:)

[alexk]

What happens to the oil pressure when you fit a cooler which is much bigger ?

[lawsy]

What happens to the oil pressure when you fit a cooler which is much bigger ?

Depends on various things, design, pipe diameter etc etc.

There will be an effect yes, so going with a tried and tested researched unit is paramount. Some coolers will have negligible effect on pressure, others will drop it too much.

[alexk]

Depends on various things, design, pipe diameter etc etc.

There will be an effect yes, so going with a tried and tested researched unit is paramount. Some coolers will have negligible effect on pressure, others will drop it too much.

As far as I know the factory oil cooler doesn't have a thermostat.
Putting a bigger cooler (more efficient) will definitely drop the temperature which is a good thing when the car is used in a racetrack.
In all other situations (motorway) I am sure the oil temp will be quite low, especially in countries that it's not so hot.
Adding here the oil pressure drop, I think this upgrade will create more problems than it will solve.
So I believe it's a good upgrade if you are using the car only for trackdays and nothing else.

[cantfind1]

Thermostat is fitted in the oil filter housing, I have removed mine and replaced with a oil diverter valve........allows 100% of the oil to pass to the cooler 100% of the time....

similar to this

http://store.bimmerworld.com/e36e46-oil-cooler-diverter-valve-p980.aspx

[cantfind1]

Thermostat is fitted in the oil filter housing, I have removed mine and replaced with a oil diverter valve........allows 100% of the oil to pass to the cooler 100% of the time....

similar to this

http://store.bimmerworld.com/e36e46-oil-cooler-diverter-valve-p980.aspx

Oil pressure will remain the same with a bigger cooler, you will just increase the oil capacity of the engine. But not by much. ie depends on cooler size over OEM.

[AlexGTT]

Thermostat is fitted in the oil filter housing, I have removed mine and replaced with a oil diverter valve........allows 100% of the oil to pass to the cooler 100% of the time....

similar to this

http://store.bimmerworld.com/e36e46-oil-cooler-diverter-valve-p980.aspx

For most I would not advise this. Much better to retain standard stat for road and track use. I'd only consider diverter for race application.

The big cooler I use has the same dimension pipe internals, connections, etc. so oil pressure is not affected. Only difference is a slight drop in oil level after dealer oil changes. This is only noted after full warm up with thermostatic valve opened. About 1/2 litre extra required to maintain correct sump level AFTER the cooler circuit has opened.

My interim oil changes at Simpson's include a run to warm to temperature, re-check level and top up to account for it.

[northernjim]

For most I would not advise this. Much better to retain standard stat for road and track use. I'd only consider diverter for race application.

The big cooler I use has the same dimension pipe internals, connections, etc. so oil pressure is not affected. Only difference is a slight drop in oil level after dealer oil changes. This is only noted after full warm up with thermostatic valve opened. About 1/2 litre extra required to maintain correct sump level AFTER the cooler circuit has opened.

My interim oil changes at Simpson's include a run to warm to temperature, re-check level and top up to account for it.

Does the oil in the cooler drain out when changing the oil Alex?

I'd heard that some coolers retain their oil when it's dropped during a change????

( forgive me if that all sounds stupid- but what do you expectfrom me!?!)

[AlexGTT]

Does the oil in the cooler drain out when changing the oil Alex?

I'd heard that some coolers retain their oil when it's dropped during a change????

( forgive me if that all sounds stupid- but what do you expectfrom me!?!)

I think some might be retained Jim. But, every oil change since I've changed requires just under 1/2 litre over normal capacity.

[shimmy]

Anybody else....after talking to Simpsons next week we will be ordering:thumbs:

[AlexGTT]

Anybody else....after talking to Simpsons next week we will be ordering:thumbs:

Sensible mod chaps. Get on-board.:thumbs:

[cantfind1]

Anybody else....after talking to Simpsons next week we will be ordering:thumbs:

What one are we ordering??

[shimmy]

What one are we ordering??

:)

was gonna speak to Ant but snow has postponed last two visits. next week now

[DuncanR]

Im in for this, but fooked if I know which option, there appears to be good and bad points with most.:banghead:

[AlexGTT]

Im in for this, but fooked if I know which option, there appears to be good and bad points with most.:banghead:

It's like most things. Cheap is cheap for a reason. Mine has been fabulous and it's been on for over 2 years.

[0-60Motorsports]

The Bimmerworld oil cooler is great, it fits in the oem location and has the increased capacity we require for our S54s. U'll be getting mine probably next month. If any of you need help with a GB from Bimmerworld get in touch with me and I'll see what i can do. Cheers.

[CraigMillwardCroft]

What price is it any body know yet :thumbs:

[rstoughy]

As above, also which one?? the bimmerworld one looks and reads well :smokin:

[shimmy]

The Bimmerworld oil cooler is great, it fits in the oem location and has the increased capacity we require for our S54s. U'll be getting mine probably next month. If any of you need help with a GB from Bimmerworld get in touch with me and I'll see what i can do. Cheers.

What price is it any body know yet :thumbs:

As above, also which one?? the bimmerworld one looks and reads well :smokin:

I spoke to Julian briefly and he said standard fittings and OEM hanger and size to avoid costly fitting.

It's not so much the capacity but the way the unit is built to ensure more area to air cool and also the way the oil flows to try to get twin cooling.

I'll read all this thru after weekend and make a list again with prices. I have already emailed the suppliers but they are rubbish at sending out info to back up their claims. My guess is that most of these were to bench or dyno tested to show the increased cooling so first hand experience will be good. Someone who has fitted them OEM and run them in v hot climates.

[0-60Motorsports]

Unfortunately I wont be able to tell about my experiences with the BW oil cooler till MAY/JUNE/JULY as thats when it'll be very hot here......125f and 100% humidity.