Adding an oil cooler to the S13...

[McCoy]

I'm going to try and get everything ordered and here as soon as possible. The next track day is going to be Aug 6th and I'd like to have this on by then if possible.

Here is what I'm thinking... I'm wanting something fairly simple, lines to a minimum, and am not really wanting to do a remote filter. I'm pretty sure that I want to go with the sockless fittings and hose, there is nothing wrong with it from what I've read about it in the past... if someone thinks otherwise, please let me know.


From 240sxmotoring...
Greddy sandwich plate 3/4-16 (w/built in 180F T-stat) $95


From Summit
B&M cooler with 1/2NPT inlet/outlets (11x5.75x1.5) $63
1/2NPT to -10AN fittings (x2) $9.50
Summit 10AN twist-tite fittings, $42 (2 straights and 2 90's)
10' Summit 10AN twist-tite hose $35

[Def]

The push-on hose will work, but I still prefer plain jane braided lines, call me crazy. Look into SummitRacing fittings - they're just as good as consumer grade Aeroquips, and about 60-70% the cost. I also get all my hoses/fittings from them, as their flat rate handling charge and "Summit branded" fittings will save you quite a bit.

I used 2 90 deg hose ends at my oil cooler which is the same size as yours(mounted in the spare tire well where the wiper fluid reservoir used to be - just take out the passenger corner light for air). It is a B&M core, probably the same general design as what you're looking at. Then a 45 and I think a 30 deg hose end on the sandwich plate. I think two 45s would work too as you can move stuff around a bit. How you mount everything would change things obviously.

Those Mocal fittings are too expensive too, just get some summit 1/2" NPT to -10 AN fittings for about a third of that.

[McCoy]

Thanks for the input, Jacob... I use summit on occasion and will do some looking on their tomorrow when time permits. I like the non-braided, push-on style hose just for the fact that it has a tighter bend radius, I'd like to be able to use straight AN fittings off the take-off plate... or is it to tight there for straight fittings?

I'm mounting in the same location as you are. I assume that your lines from the oil cooler run down and under the frame rail? I need to take a better look under the hood before I make my order.

Ohh, the Mocal fittings I doubled the price on accident, it's a BSPT to -10 AN fitting, FYI.

[sr20goofus]

I am a big fan of the socketless fittings and hose, they are rated to something like 250-300psi, If for any reason your oil pressure actually gets that high then you have a whole other issue to worry about than a hose failing.

[WishIHadaSilvia]

My motor actually came with a filter relocation kit, and included everything but the hose (as they cut it for some reason). I have been looking around for an oil cooler kit to throw on there that wouldn't be too expensive and get the job done. I found this on Summit, anyone familiar with this?

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=BMM%2D70264&N=700+4294924500+115&autoview=sku

I am unfortunately jobless at the moment so I can only look and not buy parts right now.

[Def]

Thanks for the input, Jacob... I use summit on occasion and will do some looking on their tomorrow when time permits. I like the non-braided, push-on style hose just for the fact that it has a tighter bend radius, I'd like to be able to use straight AN fittings off the take-off plate... or is it to tight there for straight fittings?

I'm mounting in the same location as you are. I assume that your lines from the oil cooler run down and under the frame rail? I need to take a better look under the hood before I make my order.

Ohh, the Mocal fittings I doubled the price on accident, it's a BSPT to -10 AN fitting, FYI.

BSPT? Really - maybe I didn't check it with my NPT thread gauge, but my NPT fittings seemed to go in just fine.

The push-on hoses are fine, but they are definitely more prone to damage, so I'd wrap them in firesleeve. It's not hard getting a slightly bent hose end to clear the motor mount bracket, but straight fittings might be very hard. The bracket has small angles that stick out that could make straight fitting routing problematic. I think the issue would not be the bend radius, but the big part of the hose end hitting the motor mount, but it's been a while since I installed mine. The 45's make it easy to position since you can get the positioning right, then make sure the hose isn't twisted via the swivel on the hose end(can turn the socket independent of the AN end). Straight hose ends won't have this.

On routing, yes, I just routed mine betwen the tension rod bracket and framerail. There is plenty of ground clearance with the 90 deg hose ends(a little above the bottom of the fender).

I can snap some quick pics of mine if you want some ideas on mounting the core too. I used some aluminum angle I had sitting around for the top, and on the bottom I took the stock washer fluid reservoir support strut, and bolted it to a piece of 1" wide 1/8" thick aluminum I also had sitting around that I bent slightly to hit the angle of the core and bolted it there. It is surprisingly sturdy and didn't take much time at all.

[Def]

Oh yea, IIRC I bought 10' of hose and had a few feet left over.

[McCoy]

Jacob, I've seen a few pictures of the coolers installed and it wouldn't hurt to see a few more installed... so if you have time, that would be great to see some pictures of your mounts.

Yeah, I haven't looked closely at my oil filter location in a while, I think some 30's or 45's will probably be in order then.

Racepartswholesale puts a bunch of warnings about using a BSPT and not to use an NPT fitting in it...

[McCoy]

Def, is this the oil cooler you have... to keep shipping costs down I think I'll try to get as much as I can from Summit. This one has 1/2" NPT inlet/outlets, and is about the right size and cost.

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=BMM%2D70273&N=700+4294924500+4294839034+400004+4294888847+4294891544+115&autoview=sku

Using Summit fittings and hose is about $16 (total) cheaper than going with Aeroquip fittings/hose.

[sr20goofus]

I would give input on mounting location, but mine is so weird and my cooler is such an odd size i should just keep to myself.

[Def]

Def, is this the oil cooler you have... to keep shipping costs down I think I'll try to get as much as I can from Summit. This one has 1/2" NPT inlet/outlets, and is about the right size and cost.

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=BMM%2D70273&N=700+4294924500+4294839034+400004+4294888847+4294891544+115&autoview=sku

Using Summit fittings and hose is about $16 (total) cheaper than going with Aeroquip fittings/hose.

That's exactly the cooler I have. The price was $45 back about 1.5-2 years ago though.

I'll see if I can take some pics tomorrow or Friday.

[McCoy]

That's exactly the cooler I have. The price was $45 back about 1.5-2 years ago though.

I'll see if I can take some pics tomorrow or Friday.

That would be great... I updated my list on the first page. I think I can order most everything from Summit, minus the Mocal plate which I'll get from racepartswholesale.

[Def]

I will throw this out there, after doing mine, I did consider getting some stainless steel 5/8" tubing, some tube nuts and sleeves, a bender and bending the lines. You could possibly put some bulkhead AN fittings through the battery tray, although NPT to AN bulkhead fittings are not common or cheap. Or you could just do 90 deg 1/2" NPT to -10 AN fittings on the bottom, then bend up some hardlines, use some adel clamps to the chassis, then have a short section of hose.

Maybe more trouble than it's worth, but after I did mine I kinda wished I had something other than hoses running in the engine bay for a few feet. Call me crazy, but properly secured hardlines to a short flex hose is the "right" way to do it.

[McCoy]

I wish I had the time to use SS tubing and keep the hose usage to a minimum... but that probably won't happen till a rebuild of the motor. I do thank you for the ideas though .

I'll do some measurments tonight then probably put in my order tomorrow day.

[McCoy]

Does anyone have experience with the greddy adapter plate with built in T-stat? It looks like the inlet/outlet ports are already pointed out at a 45 degree angle and comes with -10AN fittings already... this will keep from having to purchase 45 degree fittings.

http://240sxmotoring.com/groilcoadw.html