FM oil cooler

track_addict · Postby **track_addict** » Tue Mar 03, 2015 9:20 pm

So I'm looking at oil coolers for the SE. I've been told that the FM oil cooler doesn't fit RHD cars due to the brackets being designed for LHD cars, thus don't work on RHD cars. I have had confirmation of this by FM.

What I want to know is if anyone has one of these coolers on their car and how did you go about mounting it? Modded FM mounts or custom? How hard were the mounts to make etc. Pics would be great also!

madjak · Postby **madjak** » Wed Mar 04, 2015 1:23 pm

I looked at installing the FM oil cooler, or alternatively the Trackspeed Engineering DIY kit but ended up buying the individual components myself. I ordered a Setrab oil cooler and sandwich plate on ebay with the fittings and hose from Summit Racing. All up it was around $400 I think.

I installed the oil cooler in front of the radiator, but it's mounted off my custom radiator hanger which you won't be able to do. Still it should be fairly easy to make a couple of mount points at the front.

Lokiel · Postby **Lokiel** » Wed Mar 04, 2015 2:07 pm

Minx and timk use the FM oil cooler so hit them up for info (read their build threads first).

IMO though, the FM oil cooler mounting sucks and even FM recommend DIY ducting to make it function better.

For an oil/transmission cooler/radiator/intercooler to work correctly you need airflow through it so it should be mounted perpendicular to the airflow and ducted for maximum effect.

Like madjak, I DIYed my own setup which is documented in my build thread - it cost about 3 times as much as the FM kit (if you exclude their sky-high S&H) due to the fact that I ended up buying about 3 times as much hose as I needed and many combinations of fittings until I figured out what worked best.

madjak · Postby **madjak** » Wed Mar 04, 2015 2:31 pm

Lokiel wrote:Minx and timk use the FM oil cooler so hit them up for info (read their build threads first).

IMO though, the FM oil cooler mounting sucks and even FM recommend DIY ducting to make it function better.

For an oil/transmission cooler/radiator/intercooler to work correctly you need airflow through it so it should be mounted perpendicular to the airflow and ducted for maximum effect.

Like madjak, I DIYed my own setup which is documented in my build thread - it cost about 3 times as much as the FM kit (if you exclude their sky-high S&H) due to the fact that I ended up buying about 3 times as much hose as I needed and many combinations of fittings until I figured out what worked best.

The hose can get expensive. The Summit Racing branded nylon hose and fittings are pretty cost effective and good quality. 10 ft of their Nylon -10AN hose is $69 with 90 degree fittings around $18 each and straight around $9. I bought an extra 90 and an extra straight so I could fit them how I wanted. I think I ended up with about half a meter of spare hose.

Oil cooler - $200
Hose and fittings - $150
Sandwich plate - $30-50
Custom brackets - Free

madjak · Postby **madjak** » Wed Mar 04, 2015 2:33 pm

Also, I like having the oil cooler in front of the radiator however it's had a couple of small rock hits already. Its certainly a better spot that where the FM cooler mounts though.

I'd be interested if anyone has a better mounting point... Maybe one that requires ducting from the bumper or something.

Dweezle · Postby **Dweezle** » Wed Mar 04, 2015 2:59 pm

Would the cooler work In the windscreen wiper section below the windscreen ?
That being a high pressure area I would assume would allow air flow
Or would the uphill for the oil flow be bad ?

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Magpie · Postby **Magpie** » Wed Mar 04, 2015 3:37 pm

Dweezle you need to have somewhere for the air to flow to to make it work.

A hole in the fire wall maybe sufficent to draw the air into the engine bay, however this would then increase the air pressure and reduce the air flow through the radiator.

The area you are discussing is used for air intake ducting and when used in this manner it does not effectthe engine bay pressure.

You could move the side panels and give the air a path through this way instead of into the engine bay. Like on this picture.

Apu · Postby **Apu** » Wed Mar 04, 2015 5:14 pm

Mark,

I have my oil cooler mounted behind the firewall - Mania have theirs mounted there too. It works as long as the car is moving. If stuck in traffic, it can get past 100deg quite easily.

Even with the turbo, the hottest I've gotten it to is just below 100deg on the track.

I'm keen to try what Magpie has suggested though - that should improve airflow further. I'm also going to mount a water spray for the oil cooler and intercooler...hope to get off my ass and start working on that soon!

Bryan

Magpie · Postby **Magpie** » Wed Mar 04, 2015 5:36 pm

My oil cooler is built into the side of the radiator (PWR Combo).

Charlie91 did the make the side panels stick out I just can't remember the term for it...

Postby **NitroDann** » Wed Mar 04, 2015 6:07 pm

What dweezle and apu said Is my favourite position along with large coolers behind the radiator.

track_addict · Postby **track_addict** » Wed Mar 04, 2015 6:10 pm

Thanks for all the replies.

The FM location isn't ideal but I think it would be more effective then some think. The only other issue I can see with it is not having a path for the air exiting the core to leave the engine bay. I'll look at MINX and timk's threads Lokiel, thanks.

I kind of want to steer clear or making up my own set up cause of costs, time/frustration. But if I have to go this way, then so be it. Whats peoples thoughts on mounting it above my intercooler and when I duct the rad I can just make up a little scoop at the top to feed the oil cooler? Bit of messing about and possibly effecting radiator air flow.

I'm interested in the works engineering kit but am just wondering how much more effective it would be if the core was in direct air flow. Apu, if there enough space to put a slim line fan in as well?

Dann, can you shed some more light as to why under the windscreen is your fav?

Postby **NitroDann** » Wed Mar 04, 2015 6:15 pm

Convenient to install, no brackets required. Super neat, neat hose path. Lots of airflow, oil cooler looks made to fit there.

Check apus build thread to see how nice it is there.

Behind radiator for oil temp guageless thermostatless installs

Dann

Apu · Postby **Apu** » Wed Mar 04, 2015 8:54 pm

Very tight for a fan to fit...and I think pointless. I've been stuck in traffic - those who know Victoria Road heading from Ryde into Sydney will know what I mean - and the hottest I got to wa 110deg.

Much easier to have a water spray fitted and just jet it when you need to. You're not going to meet that bad a traffic jam in Adelaide.

Dann fitted the oil cooler for me so he knows the specific fittings you will need.

track_addict · Postby **track_addict** » Thu Mar 05, 2015 10:24 am

Pics in Apu's thread are broken so I cant view them. Do you have the filter relocator as well Apu? You're spot on about Adelaide traffic!

I'll do some more poking around at other peoples installs but I'l probably end up getting the works kit, hearing what you guys have said.

Thanks!