Oil Cooler Install

bcoffin23 · 08-18-2017, 08:57 PM

Hi Everyone,

I've got a 2009 335i sedan that is NOT the sport model. So it has no oil cooler. I want to take it to the occasional HPDE/Track day, maybe 8-10 times per year.

With that being said, I know I will need an oil cooler to prevent from going into limp mode after 2+ laps out here in the SoCal desert.

Has anyone here successfully installed an oil cooler and can provide me with a parts list? Thanks!

johnmyster · 08-19-2017, 10:41 AM

RealOEM is great for looking up parts, diagrams, etc.

I recently added a oil/water heat exchanger on my N52. Same strategy (and most of the same parts) would apply to your N54...else, you're going oil/air.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1412435

feuer · 08-19-2017, 12:11 PM

Sport or non sport has nothing to do with oil cooler or not. It could be non sport and have it if that is how the first owner ordered it. Search the forum for used parts. Also look into getting a custom tune to help with temperatures

bcoffin23 · 08-19-2017, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by feuer

Sport or non sport has nothing to do with oil cooler or not. It could be non sport and have it if that is how the first owner ordered it. Search the forum for used parts. Also look into getting a custom tune to help with temperatures

It for sure does not have the cooler.

I am running MHD stage 1. I know I can adjust their maps to keep temps down (at least I think I know).

But ultimately if that car is on the track, it is going to need something to prevent oil temps from quickly skyrocketing to the 300s.

Im looking more for a parts list, and someone who has done this before.

Koolsilver · 08-20-2017, 04:17 AM

Since you're using MHD definitely set the coolant temp to sport mode or track mode depending what you feel is necessary. I thought all 2009 came with an oil cooler I guess I'm mistaken. I was looking into helping a friend add an oil cooler to his 335i that didn't come with one. Your first option is to get the OEM one which you could either buy new or pull from a junk car. Off the top of my head you'll need the oil filter housing with the thermostat plate on it, the pair of oil lines, and the actual cooling core.

If you wanted to go with something beefier which if you're tracking this would be a good idea I believe the easiest way is to source a oil filter housing with thermostat again either new or junk, I saw some on ebay for ~100. Then I personally was looking at using the thermostat delete plate that several companies sell I think the best price I found was from RBturbo. Then from the plate you'll need to run lines so the best way would be to use AN fittings and braided lines probably size 10AN. You'll then need an external thermostat in these lines Improved Racing sells really good ones which I'm using for my transmission cooler. Then you'll need more line from the thermostat to the cooling core. Setrab makes good coolers, I believe someone(sean54 or something like that) was able to fit a 33(?) row cooler in his car but it was massive and barely fit. I think 24-28 row is more common but this you'll have to decide for yourself. The trickiest part of this process will be properly measuring and routing the oil lines and making the lines if you haven't used AN fittings with braided lines before it can be a bit tricky just watch some videos on it. You'll also have to decide where you want different angle turns for the AN fittings so just be sure to map out what how you want it to run before you start ordering parts as the fittings can get pricey. Also you will have to make a bracket to hold the cooling core somehow this again will be up to your creativity just get some sheet metal or even some metal with bends already in it and start playing around with different designs.

The oil to coolant retrofit above is a cool and different approach but it will not be able to control the temperatures when on the track and since you live in California the warming up oil is a moot point. But I never knew about that option it looks a lot like the stock transmission cooler 335i AT come with.

08-18-2017, 08:57 PM	#1
bcoffin23 Second Lieutenant 40 Rep 250 Posts Drives: 2011 M3 Competition Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Huntington Beach iTrader: (0)	Oil Cooler Install Hi Everyone, I've got a 2009 335i sedan that is NOT the sport model. So it has no oil cooler. I want to take it to the occasional HPDE/Track day, maybe 8-10 times per year. With that being said, I know I will need an oil cooler to prevent from going into limp mode after 2+ laps out here in the SoCal desert. Has anyone here successfully installed an oil cooler and can provide me with a parts list? Thanks! __________________ 2009 Lexus GX470
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08-19-2017, 10:41 AM	#2
johnmyster Private First Class 110 Rep 112 Posts Drives: 2011 e92 n52 Join Date: May 2017 Location: Virginia iTrader: (7)	RealOEM is great for looking up parts, diagrams, etc. I recently added a oil/water heat exchanger on my N52. Same strategy (and most of the same parts) would apply to your N54...else, you're going oil/air. http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1412435
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08-19-2017, 12:11 PM	#3
feuer Major General 4285 Rep 9,222 Posts Drives: wife crazy! Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Chicago, IL iTrader: (5)	Sport or non sport has nothing to do with oil cooler or not. It could be non sport and have it if that is how the first owner ordered it. Search the forum for used parts. Also look into getting a custom tune to help with temperatures
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08-20-2017, 04:17 AM	#5
Koolsilver Private First Class 65 Rep 175 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Sacramento iTrader: (2)	Since you're using MHD definitely set the coolant temp to sport mode or track mode depending what you feel is necessary. I thought all 2009 came with an oil cooler I guess I'm mistaken. I was looking into helping a friend add an oil cooler to his 335i that didn't come with one. Your first option is to get the OEM one which you could either buy new or pull from a junk car. Off the top of my head you'll need the oil filter housing with the thermostat plate on it, the pair of oil lines, and the actual cooling core. If you wanted to go with something beefier which if you're tracking this would be a good idea I believe the easiest way is to source a oil filter housing with thermostat again either new or junk, I saw some on ebay for ~100. Then I personally was looking at using the thermostat delete plate that several companies sell I think the best price I found was from RBturbo. Then from the plate you'll need to run lines so the best way would be to use AN fittings and braided lines probably size 10AN. You'll then need an external thermostat in these lines Improved Racing sells really good ones which I'm using for my transmission cooler. Then you'll need more line from the thermostat to the cooling core. Setrab makes good coolers, I believe someone(sean54 or something like that) was able to fit a 33(?) row cooler in his car but it was massive and barely fit. I think 24-28 row is more common but this you'll have to decide for yourself. The trickiest part of this process will be properly measuring and routing the oil lines and making the lines if you haven't used AN fittings with braided lines before it can be a bit tricky just watch some videos on it. You'll also have to decide where you want different angle turns for the AN fittings so just be sure to map out what how you want it to run before you start ordering parts as the fittings can get pricey. Also you will have to make a bracket to hold the cooling core somehow this again will be up to your creativity just get some sheet metal or even some metal with bends already in it and start playing around with different designs. The oil to coolant retrofit above is a cool and different approach but it will not be able to control the temperatures when on the track and since you live in California the warming up oil is a moot point. But I never knew about that option it looks a lot like the stock transmission cooler 335i AT come with.
	Appreciate 0 Quote