Building my own oil cooler setup

[Villains]

I am looking to install an oil cooler for my car. Instead of paying someone like Achtuning $450 dollars I decided to see what it would cost to do my own. I found that all we need to make our own system is a "sandwich" adapter for the oil filter plus lines, fittings, and the cooler itself. Through Summit Racing I can source all the parts I would need. The only thing I need to know is what the thread size is of our oil filters. Does anyone know? Anyone have a source at a dealer or parts store that can find out?

Summit has three metric sandwich adapters, if one of them fits our car, I am all set. They have 18mm X 1.5 MM, 20mm X 1.5mm, and 22mm X 1.5mm. If one of these is the right one, I can put together an oil cooler for under $200. The sandwich adapter fitting is $25 - $27, the cooler is about $100 and the lines and fittings should cost $50 to $75. Grand total at or under $200. Saves me $250! Not bad for something that will take less then a day to put together and install. If anyone knows the oil filter thread size I would really appreciate it if you would pass on the knowledge.

Thanks in advance.

[madrussian]

BTW, try to do a writeup or remember what you did, i've been thinking of maybe doing this too since reading that one GB thread.

[Villains]

Originally posted by enjoiweb
BTW, try to do a writeup or remember what you did, i've been thinking of maybe doing this too since reading that one GB thread.

If I find the correct thread size, which I am sure I will tomorrow because I plan on making a few calls. I will do a full write up and will send you all the part numbers you would need to get it yourself. I think I will have David package it and sell it as a complete kit from EuroCode. We can sell it a lot cheaper then Achtuning and use the best parts.

[G_A4]

awesome.

[Villains]

So does anyone know what the thread size is?

[saejin]

Are you talking about the thread where the oil filter screws into?

[saejin]

Also, have you everr thought about install an oil catch can. I recently put on a twin IC and was doing some adjusting on the hoses. I pulled one off and quite a bit of oil came out.

[Villains]

Originally posted by saejin
Are you talking about the thread where the oil filter screws into?

Yes. I need to know what the thread size or count or whatever it is called for our oil filters. The adapter would take the place of the oil filter so it would need to have the same thread.

[saejin]

I understand now, I just went to Summit Racing and saw the part you're about to install. I have an OEM oil filter, just no way of measuring the thread size.

By the way, i thought our cars already had an oil cooler?

[Villains]

Originally posted by saejin
I understand now, I just went to Summit Racing and saw the part you're about to install. I have an OEM oil filter, just no way of measuring the thread size.

By the way, i thought our cars already had an oil cooler?

Really? I haven't seen one... and I have looked all over. I know they have cooling fins on the oil pan, but I have not seen an independent oil cooler. Maybe I missed it. But if they did, then why do companies like Achtuning sell an oil cooler kit? Maybe the kits are more efficient.

[saejin]

Maybe I'm wrong about the oil cooler being stock. I just keep readin about why everyone wants a turbo timer to keep the engine running so that oil will run through the turbo to cool it off or something like that.

How much more oil would you need to put in after you install the oil cooler. It looks like and easy install once you find all the parts. What would this do to the oil pressure.

What about the catch can i mentioned. there seems to be a lot of residual oil floating around the intake hoses and especially the intercoolers.

[saejin]

You got me interested in this, so I've found this kit below made by Summit:

A one-stop transmission and engine oil cooler.

Our combination fluid coolers give you everything you need to keep your engine and transmission running happily. These kits come with a dual-circuit cooler, oil filter relocation kit, fittings, hose, hose clamps, and instructions for plumbing your existing transmission cooling lines into our highly efficient combination cooler.

[Saturnine]

I really dont think an Oil cooler is really needed on our cars..

[fongaroos]

Originally posted by Saturnine
I really dont think an Oil cooler is really needed on our cars..

yah... why would our cars need it?

but then again...

isnt derrick running the CRAZY TURBO setup?

[teutonic_blur]

Originally posted by saejin
By the way, i thought our cars already had an oil cooler?

Our cars do have an oil cooler but it isn't the "typical" type. The oil filter does not screw directly to the engine block. Rather it is screwed to a box-like thingy that has two hoses connected to it. These hoses are for circulating engine coolant through the cooler/thingy which in turn cools the oil that is circulating through it.

1.8 Audi engines have had this for ages. Audi calls it an oil cooler. Is it more efficient than the traditional air-cooled oil cooler?.. don't have the slightest...

[Villains]

Originally posted by saejin
You got me interested in this, so I've found this kit below made by Summit:

A one-stop transmission and engine oil cooler.

Our combination fluid coolers give you everything you need to keep your engine and transmission running happily. These kits come with a dual-circuit cooler, oil filter relocation kit, fittings, hose, hose clamps, and instructions for plumbing your existing transmission cooling lines into our highly efficient combination cooler.

This kit won't work with our cars because it is not a metric setup. I already talked to Summit about it. Our cars don’t need an oil cooler but it is a good idea if you plan on tracking your car. In extreme scenarios, like track events, especially in higher temps the oil cooler helps keep the turbo cool, helps with detonation, and can extend the turbo's lifespan.