Real-time Oil temperature Analysis - Pre/Post Coolant Loop Oil Cooler Install
 

Hi all,

We recently installed the Forged Performance Australia OEM style coolant loop oil cooler kit in to the Project BRZ. The oil cooler retains a stock engine bay look (the cooler itself is the same as is used on selected factory turbocharged Subaru engines, such as the MY14 Subaru Forester XT), and taps in to the coolant system on the car and uses it to two advantages...

Brings the oil up to operating temperature faster.
Reduces maximum oil temperatures and transient spikes in oil temperature.
I've recorded a real time analysis with visual overlay under cold start, and spirited driving conditions for both pre and post install, so you can see exactly what the difference is between the stock engine with and without the cooler fitted.

Stock Engine: (skip to 18:10 if you're not interested in the real time data and just want to hear the summary)
[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGJqEgTjxKc"]Project BRZ - Video 19 - Oil and Coolant Temperature Analysis (Stock Engine) - YouTube[/ame]

Stock Engine with cooler fitted: (skip to 2nd half of the video if you're not interested in the cold start comparison)
[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRh7MRDi-XY"]Project BRZ - Video 20 - Post Oil Cooler Install Temp Analysis - YouTube[/ame]



Quick Summary....

Without forced induction and under normal everyday driving conditions at moderate ambient temperatures, an oil cooler isn't really required, however this cooler does still offer the benefit of bringing the engine oil up to operating temperature twice as quickly as without.

Under spirited driving or track conditions, this cooler has the added advantage of significantly reducing the maximum oil temperatures, and transient spikes in temperature.

Install Guide....
[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21qWLjhRlfY"]Project BRZ - Video 21 - Oil Cooler Install Guide (Forged Performance Australia) - YouTube[/ame]

Looking forward to install video. Seems a lot less complicated compared to this: http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=50427
:w00t:

Took 20 mins to install including an oil flush and change.

There doesn't seem to be any info on the cooler on their site. Would you mind posting some photos of it OP?

i went to their facebook store. second from the top, listed at $450.
https://apps.facebook.com/aradium/?s...75575192519458

20 minute install? Where is this tapping to be that quick, throttle body?

I looked at their picture, but you can't see where the lines are running to. I'd also like to know, I like easier installs when possible :D

I originally wanted to use the tb hoses. Was shot down by the peanut gallery saying id was way to small to be useful.

Not sure where else could be that fast though, theres a handful of ways to pipe it in, but not minutes simple. Im using t-fittings on my radiator hoses.

Interior heating hoses ?

Great work with the videos mate....but too much talk and not a single picture of the installed part :paddle:

I have one installed. The coolant lines are to and from the throttle body.

I am using the throttle body coolant lines for my turbo.

How would the coolant lines be run in this situation?

Very interested in this since all of the other options looked pretty involved.
@Model Citizen, was the concern that using the throttle body hoses wouldn't provide sufficient cooling in a turbo application or NA?

Strictly speaking any cooling is better than none, so if you know you aren't pushing it too hard this might be a good option.

any application was what i was told.

still wanted to try it out of sheer ease of access.

but then i fount my t fittings, got some spare radiator hoses and tapped in that way, which did allow for a larger diameter hose.

Can you post up some detailed pics especially where you've connected the coolant lines?

Fair enough.

I wonder if anyone has looked at the coolant flow rates for the different connection options?

If the throttle body has a higher flow rate than the t-connection then it would cool better even with smaller diameter hoses.

Looking forward to pictures of this.

The main things you're looking for when picking a spot to pipe this is hose diameter and pressure differential between your supply and return sources. I would imagine there is significant pressure drop across the radiator so that should be a good option.

I'll be uploading a video install guide in the next week or so. In the middle of moving house at the moment.

It taps in to the throttle body loop.

That's because the install guide video isn't finished yet....

I borrowed a pic from the NSW club

see pic I borrowed in the preceeding post.

Install guide video is uploading now....

Here's the install guide...

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21qWLjhRlfY"]Project BRZ - Video 21 - Oil Cooler Install Guide (Forged Performance Australia) - YouTube[/ame]

Very elegant solution, I like this better than the standard small oil cooler setup, plus a few hundred cheaper as well.

Any temperature numbers from multiple drag runs or track days?

Also if you were to do future forced induction would you need to T-Tap those coolant inlets under the throttle body?

Real-time Oil temperature Analysis - Pre/Post Coolant Loop Oil Cooler Install
 

Edit: OEM Oil Cooler

I would bypass the throttle body coolant lines as well.

Want data for track/WOT pulls too.

Next time I'm at the track I'll be recording data. Haven't had an opportunity yet.

I assume you guys watched the post-install temp analysis video under normal driving conditions?

As for the turbo oil feed, the alternatives are discussed in the video. there's an additional line at the back of the engine that can be used.

Do this test: drive at 6000RPM for a few minutes and see what the oil temp does.

I hope you didn't mean 6k continuous for few minutes? Coz that would be ridiculous...

Depends on what he means by a "few".

Looking at some data from my lap timer, I'm above 4K 95% of the time, above 5K probably 75% of the time, and above 6K maybe 30% of the time on the track.

6K might be overkill but he ran continuously at 5k or 5.5K that would be a good estimation of track load. Ideally he'd cycle up/down between 5K and 7K.

Why bypass the TB coolant lines?

Surely they wouldn't over-engineer the TB to include a coolant loop if it wasn't needed.

The throttle body coolant lines are there more for heating the TB on super cold mornings than for cooling anything.

Unless you live where it gets super duper cold, removing those lines from the TB won't hurt anything.

Is this basically the same thing shown in this thread? http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=50427

Just a different way of installing the coolant hoses?

Good info & observations. I'll certainly be look at this cooling route my self, certainly more elegant than the Laminova air/water intercoolers I've used in the past.

Ahh yes! I forget not everywhere is as mild as Australia! :)

interesting when can we get some WOT/track analysis? :)

Would like to know too? Seem identical to the other one but double the price?

Thanks for pointing out the other thread

Real-time Oil temperature Analysis - Pre/Post Coolant Loop Oil Cooler Install
 

Basically the parts you need are:

21311AA170

21317AA070

Gates 3/8" Heater Hose. Gates Part #28489

Some clamps

Total should be around $200 after shipping.

https://www.subarugenuineparts.com/oe_parts_cat.html

Found good prices here