Hi all, I'm in the process of buying a Touring FD. My plans if I were to purchase an FD would be an OEM+ street/track build (i.e. nothing too crazy, but strong engine reliability and chassis mods, clean wheels/tires/coilover setup).

My question is whether swapping the double oil coolers from an R2 onto a Touring is a solid move or not. How strong is the factory oil cooler on the Touring? Are there better and cheaper aftermarket oil coolers that you could go with instead of an OEM R2 setup? How high on the priority is a strong oil cooler setup compared to other engine reliability mods?

Thanks all for your input!

 

If you want reliability everything starts with cooling...IMO. I heard estimates as high as 25 % of the total engine cooling is done by the oil. And since that same oil also has to handle lubrication duties a second cooler is definitely a worthwhile mod even if it’s not going to see occasional track use...imo.
‘R’ model coolers AND lines will be the easiest and likely less expensive than aftermarket. Just be sure to examine both sides of the coolers. Seems like pictures I see usually only show the fins on the backside. Fins can be combed or redone, but there’s more cost.
You might also go thru the FAQs and search in the 3rd Gen tech section with terms like ‘reliability mods’ for more info.
For cooling and other benefits there’s also an Auxillary Injection section with a lot of info in the stickys. If you’re interested in a relatively simple and low cost WI system search that section for threads under my screen name.

 

Thanks for the info! It definitely sounds like the R oil coolers are an easy addition.

 

Well, not exactly easy, but worth the work. If you buy a used set online, make sure they include the return line. That's the one line that works with both single and dual coolers, so a lot of people selling the duals keep the return line. It's not expensive or anything, but it sucks having to buy and wait for a lousy line.

Also, if you plan on upgrading the radiator and/or front swaybar, you might wanna do those before the oil coolers because it gets tight under there with the lines and thicker radiator.

 

Probably TMI but if the front sway is upgraded for track or autocross it’s a good idea to upgrade the sway bar mounts or at least a Racing Beat brace.