Oil cooler on M44

[lpcapital]

No, I don't think I will. I will update this thread and make a DIY. Everything is off the shelf and I'll update the chart I made once I'm done.
The only part that needs to be fabricated is a bracket to secure the new oil filter. In my case, a Z3, I will put it where the power steering reservoir is: I will get an aluminum bar from Lowe's, cut it and take it to someone to weld it... I don't know about the ti where you culd put the filter.

Right now I'm waiting on parts to come in...

[lpcapital]

This is thermostat sandwitch plate I got from Jegs:





This is the view of the top, contacting the oil filter mount. The hole you see on the right is where the oil goes through if it's too cold. This will bypass the oil cooler and send the oil straight to the filter and back to the block.



This is a bottom view where you see the thermo sensing spring that will close the bypass hole forcing the oil through the cooler and back to the filter. The spring start closing at 160F and it's full closed at 180F.



This is the whole assembly. I actually changed the mounting plate to one with top fed because I couldn't fit it.

[lpcapital]

The oil filter will be next to the power steering reservoir. You can see the model for the bracket made in wood. I have a place replicating it in aluminum.

[pdxmotorhead]

For Oil Cooler thermostats,
This is what I've used most often, the one on the right.

http://www.batinc.net/thermos.htm

Dave

[Danny318]

nice

[pdxmotorhead]

I've installed them on about 2 dozen race cars, they seem to keep the oil dead on 180.

All were paired to a Setrab cooler. Usually huge for the engine size.

Several on dry sump engines with Mocal filters.

Good products.

Dave

[lpcapital]

I agree: Mocal is top quality products.

I actually decided to go with Jegs plate because I think the design is much more simple and clean. Using the remote thermostat would have required additional hoses and connecitons while I think the sandwitch plate is much more elegant.

I would have loved to actually find a oil filter mount with built in thermostat, but couldn't find any...

I decided to use a 19 row oil cooler which is probably bigger than what's needed, particularly given the mix use of the car.

I'll see how the temperature is.

Btw, since you have a lot of experience with oil cooling system: what is your take on where to locate the oil temperature sender? I'm thinking about putting it on the hot part of the oil, before it goes through the cooler. More in detail I will add it on the "hot" side of the sadnwitch plate.

[pdxmotorhead]

LOL you should go to that web page and download the priceguide, Mocal makes a sandwich plate thermostat.... Looks kind of like what you have.... The filter screws directly on it....

I try to put the sender in the path between the pump and the engine.
Because what I really care about is the supply temp to the motor.
So I know how much the cooler is working. I also like it in the block if I can, so its solid and gets steady consistent oil supply.

I also like it all mounted up so when I do an oil change I can drain the cooler, in other-words the fittings go down not up! otherwise you have about a quart of nasty oil in there..... Second choice is mount the cooler so the fitting go to the left or right.

If anything bad ever happens have the cooler ultrasonically cleaned and flushed cause it collects shrapnel from broken stuff like a filter.

Later.

Dave

[lpcapital]

Progresses have been made:

Got the instruments installe don the a-pillar and wired up...





Here's the bracket to hold the oil filter...







And got the oil cooler installed (I also added a grill to protect the A/C radiator)



Tonight I'm gonna modify the thermostat sandwitch plate to add the oil temp sender. I'm waiting for the AN fittings, Aeroquip oil line a take off plate to get deliverd so I can complete the plumbing...

Enjoy!!!

[lpcapital]

I couldn't get the elbows on the takeoff plate to hold pressure (I was trying to pair a 1/2" NPT with a 22mm: they are close, but not enough): I decided to go brute force and TIG weld it. That took care of it:







And here's the final result:





I cut out a hole to route the hoses nicely:

[lpcapital]

I had to modify the alternator bracket a bit to be able to clear the elbows:





The oil filter & thermostat (along with the senders for the instruments) fits tight under the airbox. It also make the replacement of the filter cartridge very accessible.



And of course, a couple of pix of the engine bay which looks... stock...

[lpcapital]

Here's a closeup of the modified thermostat sandwich plate (the filter is a Ford PH8)





A couple more pix of the oil filter bracket prior the installment:







Enjoy!!

[tiFreak]

nice setup, it would look stock if you didn't know what to look for

[pnosker]

Sweet! That's awesome. You should put together kits!

[lpcapital]

Originally Posted by pnosker

Sweet! That's awesome. You should put together kits!

That was a lot work, and I'm not looking forward to do it again... But everything can be done for the right price: for me that would be $1,000 per kit (all and all i spent about $800 in parts & welding labor) and I need at least 5 to start it.

I will provide all the parts, including a modified bracket for the alternator in exchange of yours.

However please note that this was done on a Z3: I don't know if the 318ti is exactly the same. Also note that some changes need to be done to the car: I had to cut the hole to run the hoses through and modify the power steering reservoir bracket. I'm not willing to invest any more time in this as I'm not interested in making a business out of it...

I would personally think it's best if someone else would first try to see if it works the same on the ti (as far as fitting goes) and if he/she wanna go ahead and make a kit out of it, I wouldn't mind nor ask for any royalty of any soruce... All I do is public knowledge and if someone wanna take economic benefit out of what I do, I have no problem with it...

I'm in the process of updating the list of part I bought: I'll post it so others can use it...