Pretty simple procedure here guys, just adding this so its here on the site for reference of others.

I needed an engine oil cooler as my oil temps were getting north of 300 degrees on the road course. My stock radiator does keep up, but I've got it completely sealed to the core support so it is as efficient as it's going to get. the cooler is behind the radiator for protection and because i don't want to reduce the efficiency of my radiator. I'd like to stick with a stock radiator if I can, so I want to do what I can to make sure it will continue supporting my power level.

I converted my old single fan set up to the later dual fan setup and used the factory mounts for the auxillary fan to mount the oil cooler. The upper and lower fan brackets bolt right on to the car. The plug for my single fan plugs right in to the smaller primary fan, I reused the factory wire and wire clips and everything. I bought a Derale stacked plate oil cooler that is 10x13 (PN 53410). As you can see this is the absolutely largest cooler that will fit while still using the factory fan mounts and the primary factory fan.

I combined this cooler with some home made bracketry and a Mocal thermostatically controlled sandwich adapter. I used -10AN fittings and line. I used Aeroquip fittings on the adapter, and ended up using Fragola swivel elbows and Fragola braided line. The Fragola fittings work just like the Aeroquip fittings but were MUCH easier to assemble. We'll know if it leaks tomorrow when I start it up. Right now I don't have the hoses attached to anything. Their routing and length allow them to naturally lay out of the way of any moving parts. I'll likely zip tie them or use a P clamp on one of the motor mount bolts, but the hose routing really worked out well. Pix are posted below. Provide any input as you see fit.



upper bolts are seen just below the radiator hose

 

 

looks like a clean install, where are your fans?

EDIT - I read the description again I assume they just aren't installed yet in the pics?

 

only running one fan and it's on the passenger side, but you're right it's not shown in the pix. It will be just like the dual fan cars are, they only run one fan until the AC is on or if the engine gets really hot. Since my car was an older single fan car to begin with, it will operate just like it did just with a smaller fan. My GTA does fine in traffic with a single fan so my 383 should be OK too. If not I have quite a bit of room to put a small fan between the oil cooler and the engine if needed.

 

Clean install, I like that.

Did you check the mocal adapter for burrs and chips? Have used their products but after a couple oil cooler failures and 2 thermostats (a remote and an adapter type like you have) with very rough machining, sharp edges and aluminum burrs that easily came off (imagine it floating around in your oil) I stopped using their stuff. I used CV products, next time I may try the earls unit.

 

Thanks, I'm trying to keep this common sense and simple. I did not take the thermostat spring and fitting out, but everything else looked good. I bought it from BIG_MODS (StanIROCZ on frrax) and myself and others have looked at it repeatedly and not found anything I'd be concerned about. it is the "high flow" model however, not sure if that matters or not. It apparently flows something like 30% more than the normal sandwich adapter, I used -10 AN line. I used it because of the thermostat, because Austin had it, and because unlike the Canton unit, the fittings exit in a common sense location. I did use the billet canton bypass eliminator. I didnt want all this hanging off the stock pot metal bypass casting.

 

Really clean looking!! I wish Austin would have posted it for sale here lol. I was just looking into Options for this tonight actually. I think I found my setup lol. I'm Gunna hopefully do this soon for my big block. I have a cooler already just think I'm Gunna mount it like yours.

 

Thats a really nice and clean install and I'm sure it will work great. I have a transmission/engine oil cooler made by Derale installed in basically the same fashion.

 

thanks for the compliments guys. I've started the car a few times and no leaks so far. My oil is down a quart so I'm guessing the cooler and lines are full now! Excited to see how it acts on track now. Hopefully I'll be rewarded with lower oil temps and coolant temps too.

 

looks great buddy, you coming to thirdgenfest this coming may?

 

Yah I had a family obligation I couldn't get out of which is why I had to miss last year. My dad, 92RS(real slow), a local buddy with an 85Z and myself are all planning to come this year. If it's nice out I'll be in my IROC, if it rains I'll be in the GTA. Should be a good time!

 

sounds good, i'll be rocking new seats, new rims, new converter, mini tubs and a long list of other changes....it's a sickness I swear

 

looking forward to seeing the minitub job, I've not seen one in person yet.

 

Do you think you might be able to post a few pictures of the finished mini tub project I would really like to see that.

 

hey im looking to do the same thing, do you have a part number for the oil filter adapter? ive been having a hard time finding one with a thermostat in it.

 

The only one they offer is for the 1989 Firebird but it seems to be universal for that year because its the same one I run on my Camaro. Give them a call just to make sure. = http://www.summitracing.com/parts/DE...RD&prefilter=1

 

I'm using the Mocal sandwich adapter with thermostat. The adapter has BSP threads so I used a BSP to AN adapter fitting to connect the lines I made. I'm using the high flow version that has -12 sized outlets.

http://www.racerpartswholesale.com/c...Sandwich_Plate