Oil Cooler for Rebuild Project

[UlyssesS4]

I am looking to replace my old Mocal Front Mount Oil cooler and wanted to ask what folks have had good luck with oil coolers these days? I am still at least 6 weeks out from replacing my current engine with a new BEL block rebuild with Rods/Pistons and TTE 600's etc and want to replace my old tired Mocal cooler with a little larger unit especially since I am doing A/C delete I am hoping to fit a little larger cooler up front. So far I have only checked out the Mishimoto units so before I pull the trigger on ordering up one wanted to find out if there other suitable options for the job. Mishy seems to have a universal dual pass unit that is @ 21-22 inches long for 350.00 that looks like it might work fine, wouldn;t mind some other opinions though. Thanks.

[B5carl]

I have a 10 row G-plus oil cooler from eBay. Beautiful construction. Looks like a high quality unit it's brand new. Not sure if you would be interested in buying it for cheaper than what I paid. Not sure if I want to use one but don't mind letting it go for now

[Painstain]

If you want to spend the big bucks, Setrab is awesome and recognized across all platforms as being really high quality. I'm running their 25-row Series 1 unit (it's on the lower end of their price spectrum) and it's been great. I deleted the factory coolant-based oil cooler and ran a Mishimoto oil thermostat with the Setrab oil cooler and never had issues with oil temps here in the Texas summer. Sitting in rush hour traffic, the oil temps typically never got above about 215degF. I was a little worried about removing the factory oil cooler and not having any sort of fan on the Setrab unit, but it's been great. I actually just removed the Setrab and installed the factory cooler for winter because even with the Mishimoto thermostat, my oil was staying too cool (typically not even going over 200degF after repeated WOT pulls with ambient temps around 50degF).

Not affiliated with Setrab in any way, I just like the product.

[UlyssesS4]

Just checked them out on the web, looks like a solid quality product. Just wish they had better pictures of their units. years ago I installed a larger CFM fan behind the radiator to pull air thru and that works well, my current unit has seen its better days though as it doesn't cool as well as it used to and I suspect the road debris over the years has damaged the face of the cooler and so it doesn't get the airflow it should.

[RMode]

Just remember, too big of an oil cooler is not a good thing. You can absolutely go too large.

[UlyssesS4]

the unit I am looking at has a core size of 18.50" x 5.51, is that too large ? holds .80qts

[RMode]

I'd begin with referring to this

https://www.pegasusautoracing.com/pd...uggestions.pdf

[christianb5s4]

If I didn't find my VAST oil cooler kit, I would go with a Setrab. I had their 25 row cooler on my old 370Z and it was phenomenal. IMO Setrab has some of the better core designs out there.

For street use though, 25 row might be overkill on these cars unless you track it.

[UlyssesS4]

thanks folks, just sent Setrab an e-mail requesting info on proper unit based on my build and application.

[Painstain]

thanks folks, just sent Setrab an e-mail requesting info on proper unit based on my build and application.

Be sure to let us know what you go with!
I’m interested to see what Setrab’s recommendation on sizing is. I chose the 25-row just because it was the biggest one I could fit with the stock A/C fan still in place.

[RMode]

Spec’d my Setrab setup through Issam at Iabed, Highly recommended. Everything needed came in one box

[VR6Bomber]

How are oil changes with the sandwich plate and plumbing? Access to the filter specifically.
Seems like it gets really crowded around the oil filter.

I see that THE TUNER has an RS4 OE cooler that is thinner that the S4 version in order to create more space for the sandwich.

[avant1987]

HEL a UK-based company makes a kit using a setrab cooler. It’s pricey but you could use this item to compile your parts list. I considered buying one from them when I had my old stage 3 Avant

https://blueredperformance.com/en/he...s4-rs6-b5.html

https://auto.helperformance.com/audi...oil-cooler-kit

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[UlyssesS4]

HEL a UK-based company makes a kit using a setrab cooler. It’s pricey but you could use this item to compile your parts list. I considered buying one from them when I had my old stage 3 Avant

https://blueredperformance.com/en/he...s4-rs6-b5.html

https://auto.helperformance.com/audi...oil-cooler-kit

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks for the information. That particular cooler is too small for my application. Most cars pushing 600-650HP require a larger cooler, I had Setrab spec 5 different coolers and alot of these folks go off of the amount of HP that is generated and how much space you have. From what i can tell you can go twice this size and still be just fine. I have also looked at CSF, they do a lot of work on Porsche and BMW etc. Setrab makes an OE version for the the Audi RS3 which I am still trying to get more details on. Improved racing sells the setrab units and they have their own versions which could work well the MHX 520 and the 530/540 units are also Dual Pass units but are 20% more efficient than setrab or Mocal or Earls, at least according to their site !

would be great to know if anyone has ever installed/used the improved Racing oil coolers

[Painstain]

How are oil changes with the sandwich plate and plumbing? Access to the filter specifically.
Seems like it gets really crowded around the oil filter.

I see that THE TUNER has an RS4 OE cooler that is thinner that the S4 version in order to create more space for the sandwich.

It definitely gets crowded with a sandwich plate and lines. When I had a regular thermostatic sandwich plate, I was able to run a Mann 719/30 filter but it was super hard to change. I ended up trimming my radiator support to make it a little easier, but it didn't help much.

I had looked at changing to an RS4 OE cooler since it's thinner, but it requires a shorter oil "tube" (the threaded tube that the filter screws onto and goes through the cooler into the oil pan; can't remember its actual name). THE-Tuner sells the tube now, but they didn't when I was looking previously and I couldn't find the OEM version anywhere. Going this route would definitely make life easier if you want to run a coolant-based oil cooler in addition to an aftermarket with a sandwich plate, and this is the route I would go if I were doing it over.

Since the RS4 oil tube wasn't available when I did mine, I ditched the coolant-based oil cooler completely and used the extra space to run a huge Mann 950/4 oil filter (7.2" long x 3.6" wide).

[VR6Bomber]

huge Mann 950/4 oil filter (7.2" long x 3.6" wide).

That big boy only fits if you take off the oe oil cooler?

[RMode]

The oe isn’t really an oil cooler per say, more an oil warmer. Not much point running it once you have a thermostatic plate. Also have to be careful about alternative filters, as bigger is great but relief pressure should remain the same. I stuck to a Mocal thermoplafe, stock filter, all came with the Setrab cooler setup from Iabed

[Painstain]

That big boy only fits if you take off the oe oil cooler?

Correctomundo! It's way too big with the OE cooler.

Also have to be careful about alternative filters, as bigger is great but relief pressure should remain the same.

Very good point! Thankfully most manufacturers list their bypass valve pressures online so it's easy to check, although I doubt most people do

[ss4]

Keep in mind that too much of a cooler is a problem. You want your oil temps around 225 to help burn off unwanted liquids in the oil. I’ve had a few Stage 3 S4’s and the only time I needed an external oil cooler was for road course racing. I built a block off plate to put in front of my oil cooler when not on the track. My current car makes over 600whp on a fresh rebuilt engine and my oil temps are under 250 when doing 1/2 mile drag events in 80 degree weather. All I’m saying it a little oil cooler will go a long way for you and don’t block the radiator with unneeded items.
Spend the money on an AEM meth kit instead :)

[tjb616]

A good option for those concerned with oil filter clearance:

https://www.improvedracing.com/high-...hermostat.html

[vavJETTAw36]

The oe isn’t really an oil cooler per say, more an oil warmer. Not much point running it once you have a thermostatic plate. Also have to be careful about alternative filters, as bigger is great but relief pressure should remain the same. I stuck to a Mocal thermoplafe, stock filter, all came with the Setrab cooler setup from Iabed

An oil cooler is exactly what it is. Sure, it helps warm the oil in the winter time during cold starts.

it all depends on your climate. In colder climates, id probably retain the OE cooler. In hotter climates, id remove. Or you could install and remove for each season, but Id be too lazy for that.

[christianb5s4]

For what it's worth, my warm up time was virtually unchanged after adding the VAST cooler and thermostatic plate.