How am I going to route those 2nd gen lines to the 12A block? I really don't want to cut a hole in the metal shroud on the driver's side. Any ideas?

 

I didn't have to cut the radiator shroud to route the lines to the engine. There was just enough space for the 2nd gen oil cooler lines to fit in this little space around where the battery tray is, if I remeber correctly. It's a tight fit, but works out nicely.

-Error

 

Very carefully. I didnt have to cut the shroud for my cooler, but I had done it already when I had a different design, so I just used the cut for the hot oil inlet. Anyway, I had mine routed under the stuff thats there. They hung seemingly low, but if anything hit them, I would be more worried about the fact that whatever hit them just barly made it under the front of my car, and was about to hit my crossmember . Anyway, I dont think you have to do it. I didnt use a 2nd gen cooler though either, so the fittings werent on the ends.

~T.J.

 

Ok, just went out to the car to check. I can just barely see what you guys are talking about. Thanks. Now, I've just gotta figure out a way to mount it.

 

Anyone have a good SE oil cooler forsale? I think installing the SE cooler would be the easiest. Oye! This is really annoying.

 

I looked at putting a 2nd gen cooler on my SE but decided to go with a new unit cause I didn't want to bother with all the fabrication work ($$400$$ vs. lazyness fcol).

The install for the 2nd gen cooler doesn't look too bad but I don't think it will fit in the same spot as the stock SE cooler--right below the radiator. Maybe someone has squeezed it in but that looked like too tight a fit for me--very close to the tension rod supports. And you'll have to cut up the radiator shroud/support.

If I had to do it, I would shock mount it on that frame cross bar in front of the radiator. Then get some new/longer hoses made up with the banjo fittings on the cooler end. The design of the 2nd gen fittings appear to be much more robust compared to the two 1st gen designs which both have fitting crack problems. If you have power steering you may have to relocate that wimpy bent line they call a cooler.

If you go with a first gen cooler I would suggest the SE cooler. Why, cause if your car is an 85 you ?may? have the mounting brackets on your frame (even though its a 12a), that would be an easy bolt up. Also, the SE cooler has the fittings angled apart which will help the hoses/fittings clear a front end stabilizer bar-- the earlier model fittings appear to come straight out.

On my SE the hoses route just to the lower left of the radiatior with one above the stabilizer bar and one below.

Hope this helps. Good Luck

Scott

p.s. fcol=for crying out loud

 

Thanks very much Scott. I think I've finally made up my mind - since I have an 85, I'll get an SE oil cooler and lines. Thanks again.

 

I'm curious to hear if your 12a has the mounts already installed?

Scott

 

yeah I youl like to know to...

I'm putting an FC oil cooler in my 85 GS, it makes sence to mount it the way the SE one is, but I'm not sure exactly how the SE one mounts. I know its under the radiator... but nothing else.

 

The SE mounts in front of the radiator near the bottom. If I remember correctly, the mounts are slightly off center of the cooler, with the driver's side mount being off to one side and the passenger's side mount being off to the other side.