2022+ oil coolers

[CSG Mike]

As of now, there's 3 solid options for oil coolers. I'll update the post as appropriate, when other track worthy coolers hit the market.

Minimum: Color fittings $679.99



Pros:
- Lowest cost
- Setrab 915 core
- Good mounting solution
- Minimum amount of oil cooling I'd recommend for any GR86/BRZ that sees hard driving or track use
- Safety wire for banjo bolts (they took my feedback seriously!)
- Mocal sandwich plate

Cons:
- Dumps heat in front of radiator
- more complex installation with factory heat exchanger removal
- Banjo bolts (but includes safety wire now per my recommendation!)


Middle option: Jackson Racing $895 w/ optional shroud (Preorder, eta end of July 2022)



Pros:
- Has an optional shroud (that everyone should order) for superior cooling efficiency compared to the Color Fittings option
- Setrab 915 core
- Lines are wrapped in key locations to prevent abrasion
- Mounts onto the stock impact beam
- Proven history with 1st gen cooling
- Best middle ground value (with shroud)

Cons:
- pushlock Aeroquip lines; gets the job done, but is bare minimum
- Dumps heat in front of radiator
- Performance no better than Color Fittings without the shroud


Top option: GReddy $1520 (Preorder, ETA Sept 2022) MSRP: $1600



Pros:
- Shrouded for maximum efficiency
- Koyo core
- Proven history of BEST cooling with 1st gen
- Mounts off to the side, but directs air to the cooler from the main bumper opening
- Dumps the heat around to the side, away from the radiator
- EARLS braided lines and fittings
- Lines are wrapped in key locations to prevent abrasion

Cons:
- Highest price
- Uses non-OEM filter (but commonly available 3/4x16UNF )

[teppey]

any experience with HKS Oil Cooler?

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by teppey

any experience with HKS Oil Cooler?

It's not available yet.

[KillerBMotorsport]

Do any have a thermostat? I'd never install one without. Half the point of a remote unit is precision control of the oil temp.

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by KillerBMotorsport

Do any have a thermostat? I'd never install one without. Half the point of a remote unit is precision control of the oil temp.

All three do. Two of the three work in conjunction with the factory heat exchanger in addition.

[KillerBMotorsport]

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

Two of the three work in conjunction with the factory heat exchanger in addition.

I've never understood why anyone would want to retain the OEM cooler when using a remote setup, aside from cutting cost.

For anyone who NEEDS to use an oil cooler, removing that heat load from the cooling system is going to bump the cooling system's capacity. Which anyone who would be driving at that performance level would want to take advantage of.

[ozafar]

After gen1, I am afraid of taking off my front bumper. Will it go back on like last time?

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by KillerBMotorsport

I've never understood why anyone would want to retain the OEM cooler when using a remote setup, aside from cutting cost.

For anyone who NEEDS to use an oil cooler, removing that heat load from the cooling system is going to bump the cooling system's capacity. Which anyone who would be driving at that performance level would want to take advantage of.

You sit on thermostat either way, even with an AC. No reason to delete the factory heat exchanger, and in the case of the two coolers that retain the factory heat exchanger, it technically would cost them *less* to delete the OEM exchanger via needing slightly shorter hoses. I don't think it was a cost cutting measure in any way, but rather one for simplicity of install.

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by ozafar

After gen1, I am afraid of taking off my front bumper. Will it go back on like last time?

Remove your bumper carefully, and it should go back on with zero issues.

[KillerBMotorsport]

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

You sit on thermostat either way, even with an AC. No reason to delete the factory heat exchanger, and in the case of the two coolers that retain the factory heat exchanger, it technically would cost them *less* to delete the OEM exchanger via needing slightly shorter hoses. I don't think it was a cost cutting measure in any way, but rather one for simplicity of install.

definitely for simplicity of install. Cost wise, I guess I can see it going either way, depending on the kit/components.

At some level though, clean airflow and not having an additional heat load adds up to some cooling capacity. Putting the remote oil exchanger in front of the radiator AND using the OEM cooler taxes the cooling system additionally X2. From a thermal efficiency standpoint, it makes more sense not to do it that way. Plus, you have better control of oil temps vs tempering the oil with the cooling system.

For street guys with occasional track use, it's splitting hairs, but at a competitive level where limits are being pushed, it will matter more.

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by KillerBMotorsport

definitely for simplicity of install. Cost wise, I guess I can see it going either way, depending on the kit/components.

At some level though, clean airflow and not having an additional heat load adds up to some cooling capacity. Putting the remote oil exchanger in front of the radiator AND using the OEM cooler taxes the cooling system additionally X2. From a thermal efficiency standpoint, it makes more sense not to do it that way. Plus, you have better control of oil temps vs tempering the oil with the cooling system.

For street guys with occasional track use, it's splitting hairs, but at a competitive level where limits are being pushed, it will matter more.

For the bolded, that's where the GReddy cooler is the clear option!

As for 2x the load, negative. The total heat energy in the oil is not changing in any way. It's not ideal to have hot air being dumped in front of the radiator as it reduces/eliminates/hurts the capacity of the radiator to cool the engine coolant, but the energy of the system is not changing.

[Ultramaroon]

well, that wasn't fun

[Jackson Racing]

Originally Posted by ozafar

After gen1, I am afraid of taking off my front bumper. Will it go back on like last time?

The Gen 2 bumper is much improved for taking on and off over Gen 1.

[Jackson Racing]

Originally Posted by KillerBMotorsport

definitely for simplicity of install. Cost wise, I guess I can see it going either way, depending on the kit/components.

At some level though, clean airflow and not having an additional heat load adds up to some cooling capacity. Putting the remote oil exchanger in front of the radiator AND using the OEM cooler taxes the cooling system additionally X2. From a thermal efficiency standpoint, it makes more sense not to do it that way. Plus, you have better control of oil temps vs tempering the oil with the cooling system.

For street guys with occasional track use, it's splitting hairs, but at a competitive level where limits are being pushed, it will matter more.

I understand the thought process here, and I get what you are saying. But in this usage case, we simply don't have the problem you are implying. There is no need to overcomplicate. The JR product has been on track and functioning very well for nearly 10 years on the Gen 1 cars. There is no thermal problem to the radiators, and the oil cooler temp leaving the cooler hitting the radiator is not hurting the radiator performance. The OEM cooling system works pretty well as is.

The donut heat exchanger is not hurting anything here. Small example: We ran our radiator/oil cooler on our T4 SCCA race car only because the internet said it wouldn't work. We designed it as the ultimate street solution, but knew it had overhead for naturally aspirated track use. The internet didn't believe us. Two national championships later with perfect oil temps, I'd say it worked.