Aluminium Radiator and external oil cooler

Since upgrading everyother part of the engine and turbocharger systems, it was time to spend some time on the cooling systems. I noticed that under full engine load and some hard driving, especially in built up city areas, oil temps were hitting 95 Deg. C This reading was taken from the probe at the oil filter at the base of the sump so its a fait guess that oil temps around the block, liners and heads was a good bit higher!

As with any modern car, the turbo is cooled by both water and oil, so I decided to help out the engine jacket system by installing the larger radiator. This, according to Mishimoto, give 30% improvement over the stock radiator. There was a noticeable increase is size and it does have a good looking finish in polished aluminium. I also included some upgraded silicone hoses at the same time and also a temperature sensor adaptor. This was installed at the same time so that the coolant doesn't need drained again once I get the water temp. gauge installed in the cabin. All I have to do now is figure out where is good to fit the gauge.

As you can see from above, there was very little space left to fir the oil cooler. The bumper, intercooler and radiator all came out to allow fitment. The braided lines run from the cooler down to a thermostatic sandwich plate which attaches to the engine sump and the il filter then bolts on to the plate. This sandwich plate allows the cool oil to bypass the external cooler until the engine warms up , then once the temp. starts climbing, it opens and allows the hot oil to pass through the cooler. The location on the front of the car means that you get maximum air flow through the cooler. Also as it doesn't rely on jacket water to cool the oil like the original cooler, there is less heat transfer back into your cooling system from the hot oil, which in turn puts less stress on the radiator.