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Do I Need An Expensive Oil Cooler Or Will A Cheaper One Do The Same Job?

Brezza

By Brezza,
in Motorsport Discussion & Builds

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Brezza Proficient

Brezza

Posted
Posted

Hey,

i've done a search and havent been able to get my question answered.

is there anything wrong with running a cheaper oil cooler, for example the ones around the $400 mark with a oil filter relocator or do i really need to go for a HKS, Greddy or similar style one which costs close or more than $1,000

i just want some honest input about whether people have used the cheaper ones and whether they stand up to the job of cooling the oil out on the track without leaking oil or any other issues?

cheers,

noone Experienced

noone

Posted
Posted
i just want some honest input about whether people have used the cheaper ones and whether they stand up to the job of cooling the oil out on the track without leaking oil or any other issues?

cheers,

Used a just jap one on trackdays in darwin heat with up to 427hP

had no real issues at all once installed helped keep temp down certainly no leaks etc

however

this was an unopened motor with turbos cams an powerfc

so not a big dollar setup at risk

also had to shorten and generally mess about with lines brackets etc to mount

big dollar jap stuff is usually just bolt it up an ya laughing it all fits an works

no messing about with lines brackets an ducting required so if ya need to pay for all that as well

the expensive kit may work out cheaper!?

GTS-t VSPEC Grand Master

GTS-t VSPEC

Posted
Posted

Alot of the Jap stuff is just re-branded anyway. And a $400 cooler isn't that cheap, if it was only $50 then I'd be worried. Having said that I run a Greddy Oil Cooler, but picked it up 2nd hand for about $400-500

djr81 Grand Master

djr81

Posted
Posted
Alot of the Jap stuff is just re-branded anyway. And a $400 cooler isn't that cheap, if it was only $50 then I'd be worried. Having said that I run a Greddy Oil Cooler, but picked it up 2nd hand for about $400-500

And there I was just about to say don't buy second hand oil coolers.

I wouldn't buy a second hand one unless I KNEW it wasn't from a motor that went bang. You don't want bits of someone elses engine in your oil system.

GTS-t VSPEC Grand Master

GTS-t VSPEC

Posted
Posted
And there I was just about to say don't buy second hand oil coolers.

I wouldn't buy a second hand one unless I KNEW it wasn't from a motor that went bang. You don't want bits of someone elses engine in your oil system.

We did flush the cooler after we bought it, and it did come off a car that was running fine. Like anything 2nd hand, it's worth taking your time making sure it's right before you bolt it on :ninja:

No Crust Racing Grand Master

No Crust Racing

Posted
Posted

I think the brand of cooler is less important than the fitting location, how much you increase your oil capacity by, the oil used etc.

I run a standard 13row Just Jap core with a Greddy relocator and a BTR thermostat. This is only a very mild power CA S13 so it doesn't generate a ton of heat. It'd probably be too small for a lot of you.

On my first ever day at the track in the car the oil was hovering around 110-115 and it would have been a 25deg day tops. Not ideal giving I wasn't hammering the car - was only a drift day and I was learning very gingerly. I fitted all the above and located the core underneath the drivers headlight and vented the bumper to feed it and vented into the wheel arch so air would flow through properly.

Next time at the track was a 35deg day and it was a proper track day so I was on 100% throttle for much more of the lap, oil temps didn't go past 95deg at the hottest and that was after 10lap stints where tyres/brakes where becoming the issue.

I have no doubt that better brand coolers could do a better job row for row but when you can just buy the next size up in a cheaper core and get the same results and still save monet it's hard to go past.

Space can be an issue of course and in this instance I would opt for a a better core if funds allow. For reference I also run a heavy duty PWR core on my BA for the gearbox to bypass the internal (prone to leaking) internal cooler and make it a bit happier when towing. No issues with either setup.

You can always raise the bonnet at the rear and do some venting/ducting to assist. Both cheap things to do.

Not sure if I'd wanna risk a second hand core though. Not when new cheap ones are..well so cheap :thumbsup:

JimmyRickard Mentor

JimmyRickard

Posted
Posted

I've recently bought a Greddy Oil Cooler and Reolcation Kit off the forums second hand. The guy I bought it off got it off Yahoo Japan, so its anyones guess what kind of engine the kit came off. Would it be risky to use the core it came with or should i just throw on a cheap new one to be safe?

«Cyph3r» Experienced

«Cyph3r»

Posted
Posted

I have run Serck (sp?) and Setrab oil cooler cores without problem, I think these are probably just as good if not better than the cores that come in most jap kits. Also just ran rubber hose of the non braided type.

Works out a lot cheaper than buying a HKS or Greddy kit at $900+

I've recently bought a Greddy Oil Cooler and Reolcation Kit off the forums second hand. The guy I bought it off got it off Yahoo Japan, so its anyones guess what kind of engine the kit came off. Would it be risky to use the core it came with or should i just throw on a cheap new one to be safe?

Just give it a flush or if you don't feel confident doing this take it to a radiator shop to do it for you.

If you are really worried you can buy an inline oil filter.

XRATED Veteran

XRATED

Posted
Posted

Personally I wouldn't put a 'cheap' oil cooler kit on any engine.

It's not really the performance I'm worried about.... as I'm shure they work well enough. It's the reliability I'm worried about.

Poor quality adapter construction, weak threads, poor sealing surfaces, horrible fittings, very cheap hoses and thin cores.... All add up to possible failures.

I don't really want to worry about the life blood of my engine spraying everywhere.... Accident, fire, stuffed engine, mess...

A better comprimise would be to buy a greddy oil cooler adapter, buy some good quality hoses and fittings and a quality core.

Moodles2 Grand Master

Moodles2

Posted
Posted

My opinion about the problem with the cheap kits is the quality control, leaking at the sandwich plate I think is the most common problem, followed by leaky fittings. I know Just Jap replace these bits no questions asked, but taking the front bumper on and off is a pain in itself.

XRATED Veteran

XRATED

Posted
Posted

It's not quality control, it's the build quality and manufacturing materials/methods.... It's all well and good for a retailer to swap out a defective part, but what if that part cost you a motor or worse???

Oil under your tyres is dangerous, oil mist hitting a red hot exhaust manifold is worse...

A cheap oil cooler kit is what 400-500bucks? Plus a thermostat and plumbing... add $200? And you still have poor materials and construction.

Greddy oil cooler adapter with thermostat- $200

Aeroquip lines and fittings- $200

Earls oil cooler core- $150

Tadaaaa.... same money- no cheap shitty parts!

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