"Best" (most flexible) oil cooler option?
 

Looking at oil cooler options, and am looking for input on what is going to be the most flexible kit.

Currently the car is N/A, but it might be FI in the future and I'd rather not have to buy another oil cooler when going FI if I can help it.

I like the Mishimoto kit because it looks like a good value, but it also looks like it won't work without a custom mounting bracket if there's an intercooler up front?

I don't like the JR kit because it's two different kits for N/A or FI (with their SC kit).

I'd prefer something that mounts in the bumper opening, not in front of the front wheels, and I need to keep the washer reservoir.

I was originally looking at the OEM style cooler, but I'm not convinced that it will keep temps down enough with FI with heavy track use.

Thoughts?

Have the Perin kit and it works great dropped oil temps significantly and was easy to install. Quality of the parts is very high.

Most oil coolers will not keep temps in check on an FI car being pushed at the track. I would recommend searching. Your gonna need a ducted style and a pretty beefier core.

Robispec FTW.

I contacted Robi about getting one, and didn't get anywhere. Hard to buy one if the guy selling won't respond.

Is the mounting point for the Perrin in the way of an intercooler?

If you do go FI, you will just have to mount the cooler further out a bit. I have a Vortech and a Mishimoto oil cooler and I couldn't use the mounting bracket it came with. I just mounted it on the plastic floorboard.

If your going fi you will probably need upgraded radiator, as well as oil cooler, intergrated oil cooler unit like robispec

http://cms.skunk2.com/id/1085/Ultra-...ZFRS-Radiator/

JR cooler is just a different bracket and lines, same cooler for NA/FI. Most modular cooler to me, and thats what you asked for.

. ck

I have the vortech S/C, Mishimoto radiator, and perrin oil cooler. I installed them all at the same time, no issues. Just mounted the oil cooler to the plastic bottom (with large bolts and large washers underneath) all fits great and looks nice. Look at my build thread for more pics.

http://http://s4.photobucket.com/use...03087.jpg.html
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y14...ps02c03087.jpg

http://s4.photobucket.com/user/Gophe...03087.jpg.html

You can even put together your own cooler. A Mocal T-stat Sandwhich Plate. Choose the exact cooler you want. Add a few -10 fittings and a decent length of oil lines. That way you can choose exactly what parts you want.

I haven't done it, but am just throwing it out there. I would personally do that with a Setrab 19 row core... when the time comes...

As for Robi I would stay away as a word of caution not trying to bad mouth just my 2 cents from past experience

Also, that oem style oil cooler is more of an oil temp regulator. It doesnt drastically keep temps down like the purpose-built coolers. i gathered 90% of the parts to get it together until i read more posts from those who actually benchmarked it. Save the $350 and get one that works

. ck

Explain?

The OEM oil cooler is limited in its cooling effectiveness by the fact that it cools the oil to the temperature of the engine coolant. I have one installed and under normal driving conditions the oil temp is within 1 or 2 *C of the engine coolant.

In cold climates the OEM cooler also acts as an oil heater, since it raises the oil temp to match the engine coolant faster than normal.

I have not tracked with mine yet, but others have reported a modest improvement in on track temps, ~10 degrees reduction, on track and a faster cool down. However, the OEM cooler does not have enough heat exchange capability to keep the oil temp close to the coolant temp on the track so the oil temps will be quite a bit higher than the engine coolant. I am hoping for about 235-240 *F. This is probably fine for me since I am NA.

If you are going FI, then your temps will be considerably higher, so a dedicated air cooler, which is not limited by the engine coolant temp and where heat exchange is limited by radiator size are better options.