DIY Dual Oil Coolers
 

For those of you that want to put together a dual oil cooler setup yourself, here is a list of parts that I'm using:

2 x 25 row Earl's Oil Coolers -10AN
1 x Mocal 180 degree oil thermostat
1 x 45 degree hose end -10AN
5 x 90 degree hose end -10AN
2 x 150 degree hose end -10AN
2 x Straight hose end -10AN
2 x Adapters 18mm to -10AN
15 x Foot of stainless steel braided hose -10AN
1 x 10 pack of 15/16" adel clamps
1 x Hose lube and sealant
2 x Crush washers (not pictured below)
1 x 1" wide 36" long flat steel (to make brackets)

For the most part, that's it I believe. I chose Earl's oil coolers because they were a little cheaper than Mocal and as far as I can see, they are basically the same, they even have the exact same dimensions. Also, I'm using a Mocal oil thermostat instead of the Earl's oil thermostat because the Earl's has female ends and I wanted male ends on the thermostat, it makes it easier IMO. I made a spreadsheet with all of the part numbers and prices for most of the parts from Summit Racing, Racer Parts Wholesale, and Batinc. Here are some pictures, if anybody wants the actual Excel file, PM me with your email address and I'll email it to you.

Here's a few pictures of the brackets I made from 1" wide flat steel.

Those prices aren't bad at all.

Also, I'd like to point out that I'm NOT saving HUGE amounts of money by putting this together myself as opposed to buying one of the dual oil kits offered out there, I just felt like doing it myself. And I realize that my pictures aren't the best so if you want to see better pics, let me know and I'll see what I can do.

Great job :bigthumb:

Thanks.

great thread. i'm going to use this when i'm ready to build my own setup.

thanks!

Nice clean install. If you wanted to save a few more bucks and had time to mess around....you could source some of the fittings, line and the oil coolers used.....gotta be careful on used oil coolers and clean everything really well on the inside...

That spread sheet is great for searching for used stuff...

There is several places that sell Nascar throw offs that seem to have good reputaions and I think they ultrasonically clean the coolers etc....sorry if thats already generally known.

Man it's amazing how much money gets spent around here. I went with a 2nd gen oil cooler (properly ducted of course) and virticle mounted radiator for less than $200.00 for my NA 20b.

And that is a good setup for an NA car. Problem with FDs is that we also have to account for an intercooler and related piping - along with the radiator, a/c and PS loop air intake etc. Packaging and effectiveness of those components becomes a challenge real quick.

Will these fit with the 99 spec bumper?

i purchased this same setup with the 19 row Earls. You can also purchase the brackets too from Summit but you will have to custom cut the threaded rods as they are not custom sized like the bracket.

How did you mount your Oil Thermostat?

I checked clearances with my bumper, which is a replica FEED type II R bumper, and it cleared that fine. As for an OEM 99 spec bumper, I'm not too sure.

where did you get the replica feed type II at? I like that bumper and was considering getting one but they are expensive! Got any pics of it?

Actually, I haven't mounted the oil thermostat yet. Probably do it sometime this weekend, but I have an idea of how I'm going to do it. I'll post a picture after I do it.

I agree, it's not cheap. This is just the way I wanted to do it.

I got it from Shine Auto. Here's a couple pics.

I need to find this shine auto....

They're in the Vendor section of this forum.
And their website is: http://www.shineautoproject.com/

I tried that site.... does not seem to want to work but ill try it again when i get back stateside... thanks for your help today

I know my comparo wasn't apples to apples. I eventually will turbo charge the beast and have already taken into consideration the changes I will have to make. It still wont cost me too much more since I know how to fabricate. It's just that my eyes get really big when I see the money being thrown around on certain projects. I guess myself and ADAM C have something in common. ;)

Pacman 74 the set-up is nice though and is most definetly an improvement over stock.

wow... i love how you put this thread together
especially love the spreadsheet and the complete parts pictures

thanks

Hey,

Great job. Can I ask two quick questions?

1. Where'd you get the flat steel? Local metal supply?
2. How'd you bend the metal? Do you have a brake?

- andy

1. It's just 1" wide zinc plated flat steel that I bought from Home Depot.
2. Nothing fancy, I just clamped it to a 2x4 and had the edge of the 2x4 exactly where I wanted the bend. Then I just hammered away.

DId you ever get around to doing this?Can you post pics?

would it be any benifit to upgrade to some aftermarket oil coolers if i already have the stock dual oil coolers that came on my r2?

Only if you track your car. Your oil temps will tell the story.

David

+1

If you drive your car on the street, then you can realize a benefit by putting a fan(s) on at least one of the coolers. This will make a marked difference if your idling, driving slow or in traffic, etc..

Sorry man, you know how you aim to do 1 thing, but then you notice a bunch of other things that need to be done as well..... well, that's what happened and I ended up swapping my turbos for some BNR Stage III's, pulling off my front subframe to clean everything up and replace the oil pan, making brackets for custom intercooler and radiator for v-mount setup, etc.
So, no, I haven't mounted the oil thermostat yet, but I will do it very soon.

So how much did this run you, total?

Also, I feel like a n00b for asking, but I'd just like a quick synopsis.

Aside from an obvious "it'll lower your oil temps"....what tangible benefits does running dual oil-coolers provide you?

thanks for the great info, it always feels better when you accomplish things on your own and saving a couple of bucks which can be spent else where

I can tell you i purcashed the same kit acc to Banzais web site and i spent a tad over 7 bills.

whats up neighbor? oil cooler kit is looking good. hope to see the finished set up soon.:):icon_tup:

Thanks, I hope to see the finished set up soon as well! I've been doing so many things to the FD all at once so I haven't finished the oil cooler lines yet. I'm just finishing up the mounts for my v-mount radiator. Still have to do the mounts for my intercooler. Wish I had a TIG welder and knew how to weld.....

dogg me too. im thinkin about going to el camino next semester and takin a welding class just to learn. im in a middle of a crazy build right now too. cars completely apart and motors out! so you know what that means??? plenty of things to clean up!!!!!good luck with your build.

How funny, I was thinking the exact same thing, no joke! My GF was going to take child development classes just for the heck of it and I was going to take welding classes. El Camino has a bunch of welding classes. Let me know if you decide to do this.

welding class!!! that's a thought. where's the nearest college in my hood?

yo, for sure. this is a must learn for me right now.

thanks~

No prob, but please make sure you go over which fittings you need and what not before you order. Not everybody's setup is going to be exactly the same. I actually changed my mind afterwards about how I wanted the Mocal oil thermostat to connect to the front of the engine, I just ended up using a 90 degree -10AN female to -10AN female for that one. It connects to a 18mm to -10AN male adapter.

sub'd back from the dead :D

As far as the SS lines go, did you have to get a specific type? Did you have to make them yourself with the fittings? That is a great DIY setup!