S52 Oil Cooling Options thread

[328 Power 04]

So I want to bring this thread back a little. As S52 Z3M owners might be able to have a very cheap alternative for oil cooling. I'm not comfortable with the 220-230 degrees F oil temp.

I've been comparing, and obviously have noticed that the Z3M Oil filter housing is just an S54/Euro housing, tapped, and apparently without a thermostat.

Here are some pictures:

Z3M S52 Oil filter housing (from PBFut's garage sale site):


On the side it has 2 threaded holes, one capped, one for the VANOS line.



S54 Oil filter housing:




S54 Oil filter housing with S52 M3 next to it:





Anybody have pictures of the Z3M housing on the other side where the gasket goes?




Plan would be:
1. Install S52 M3 VANOS line to the back of the housing, with the pressure switch tapped into the banjo bolt.
2. Use thermostat diverter valve or S54 thermostat (if mpire would so kindly take a picture?).
3. Use the side threaded ports with 2 banjo bolts and pull lines to a cooler.


Instead of a thermostat, can we use a diverter valve as the S54? Or maybe it's not even necessary because it's not drilled through yet? Surely I would not really need a thermostat for a car in Texas. By the way, I have full access to a machine shop.

[Randy Forbes]

That has a built-in thermostat (as seen from the block side). Check the date on the picture__been doing this a while now...



Also not an advocate of enlarging a 12mm port to 14mm; there's not much meat there to work with, and it's an expensive part to screw up, it's what inspired me to make an adapter block (besides, you need one more port anyway).

[328 Power 04]

Built in thermostat in the Z3M S52 oil filter housing? Just confirming. That's excellent news.

[Randy Forbes]

Built in thermostat in the Z3M S52 oil filter housing? Just confirming. That's excellent news.

In the S-54. You're not going to get the pressure differential__to move the oil through the cooler matrix__with the S-52 housing. If it was that simple, it would've already been done

[328 Power 04]

In the S-54. You're not going to get the pressure differential__to move the oil through the cooler matrix__with the S-52 housing. If it was that simple, it would've already been done

Figures, I couldn't have possibly been onto something, at least not this late to the game. I might purchase an S54 needing some bearing work, possibly to repair it myself. I'll look to see if it still has the oil filter housing with it.

[rf900rkw]

I haven't looked and compared. But I would base my preliminary guess on the fact that RallyRoad makes the adapter cap. Eric is a smart cookie, if there was a way to do it with a simple housing machining, he would have gone that way.

[328 Power 04]

In the S-54. You're not going to get the pressure differential__to move the oil through the cooler matrix__with the S-52 housing. If it was that simple, it would've already been done

Now just for my education. What makes the S54 housing have a better pressure differential compared to S52 Z3M housing of apparent similar design?

[mnguyen84]

if you swap the s54 oil filter housing with cooler connections into an S52 engine, then do you still need Randy's special adapter to hookup the VANOS line?

also, will the oil cooler and line in an e46 M3 fit the Z3? 17212228942

[Mr Bingley]

if you swap the s54 oil filter housing with cooler connections into an S52 engine, then do you still need Randy's special adapter to hookup the VANOS line?

Yes, and really only in that configuration--S54 filter housing to S52.

[328 Power 04]

Ok, so I have an S54 oil filter housing coming in through the mail . Sure helps to look around ebay, $170!

I need lines, fittings to attach them, and a oil cooler radiator. What size is usually appropriate? I see aftermarket 7 row, 13 row, and even bigger. Which one is recommended? I was thinking a 13 row or so, so it will not take too much space?

[Z-Thrizzle]

Ok, so I have an S54 oil filter housing coming in through the mail . Sure helps to look around ebay, $170!

I need lines, fittings to attach them, and a oil cooler radiator. What size is usually appropriate? I see aftermarket 7 row, 13 row, and even bigger. Which one is recommended? I was thinking a 13 row or so, so it will not take too much space?

The oem S54 cooler should provide plenty of cooling. I don't recall my temps going much over 200 in the summer.
btw, I have oem lines and an universal oil cooler in the classifieds.

[Mr Bingley]

Stock S54 cooler is the way to go, but you'll need an S54 radiator too to mount it. There is a much bigger list of items to replace while you're at it, if you're interested, but it amounts to some bit of money if you go down that rabbit hole.

[rotorhed]

I'll add a another bit since I recently "went down the Zionsville rabbit hole". http://www.zionsvilleautosport.com/s...e/MZ3ARIOC.htm

The Zionsville KIT includes what I assume is a modified S54 oil filter housing. There aren't any instructions with the kit but it's fairly easy to figure out and install. Their housing has an M12 banjo port for the oil pressure switch (nearest to alternator) The other banjo port closest to block has a larger M14 banjo bolt port. Zionsville supplies an M14 banjo bolt that is tapped out to accept the M12 oil temperature switch and also the Vanos oil line. I was initially worried that the temp. switch probe extending down thru the banjo bolt might restrict flow up thru the Vanos line but assume it's oil pressure to Vanos and therefore enough capacity.
I had also purchased Randy's adapter block just in case but couldn't use it due to the larger M14 port .... but its a nice e36/8 heirloom part to have around.

[DagamusNM Coupe]

Thank you for putting this together Bergy. Subbed for future reference

[GBPaterson]

Quick q, anyone fitted the S54 radiator with Dinan kit and keeping the mech fan?

The reason I ask is that on the S52 radiator the fan already brushes up against the radiator when loosening it to take off due to the spacer on the fan clutch to give clearance of the S/C belt.

The S54 radiator has a thicker core which in my mind means it will end closer to the engine, in this scenario I could see getting the mechanical fan on or off being and issue due to clearance.

Anyone with experience here who can share?

Thanks

[Randy Forbes]

Dinan/Vortech s/c, S-54 radiator, filter housing and oil cooler with (I think, 318ti) oversize fan & spacer.

[GBPaterson]

Ah! Perfect, thanks Randy!

[Motorsport3]

image.jpg

Rally Road adapter, Earls thermostat, Earls Oil cooler, 10AN fittings.

Nice and easy. Temps stay between 200 and 220, even when boosting.

[sagggas]

image.jpg

Rally Road adapter, Earls thermostat, Earls Oil cooler, 10AN fittings.

Nice and easy. Temps stay between 200 and 220, even when boosting.

Hey, you got a turbo on that thing? Nice set-up.

Regarding the 318 fan that Randy mentioned. I had the same Dinan setup with the narrower mechanical fan. When I went to upgrade my cooling system (including Stewart pump) the narrow fan would not bolt onto the Stewart. Not sure if it was defective thread on the pump or something else, but it forced me to go with an electric fan (ended up with a SPAL). I also had gone with Mishimoto radiator, which is great, but I regret it now as I've since added oil cooling (had to go completely custom) and the E46 M3 radiator makes it easy to install OE oil cooler on the bottom.

[GBPaterson]

Hm interesting, I've already got the Stewart pump on there with the 318 fan, no probs threading it on. Just worried about the tight fit. Guess I'll find out soon, the I got the S54 Z3 radiator arriving any day.

If it doesn't fit I will most likely give Zionsville a call and see if I can get an offset shroud and SPAL setup to fit the S54 rad.

[sagggas]

Hm interesting, I've already got the Stewart pump on there with the 318 fan, no probs threading it on. Just worried about the tight fit. Guess I'll find out soon, the I got the S54 Z3 radiator arriving any day.

If it doesn't fit I will most likely give Zionsville a call and see if I can get an offset shroud and SPAL setup to fit the S54 rad.

I figured my issue with the Stewart was a one-off.


Anyway, if it helps I'm adding a couple pics of my setup with the SPAL. I have the stock shroud over the Mishimoto, and it's only tight near the main pulley (I'm also running 8 rib belt/pulleys).


Image 398 shows the clearances pretty well.


Image 575 is different angle but shows how the SPAL protected the radiator when the SC tensioner pulley seized and shredded the belt. I'm certain if a mechanical fan had been installed, I would have needed a new radiator - same thing happened when the car was new and dealer replaced the belt, but it failed and ruptured the original radiator.
DSC_0398.jpgDSC_0575.jpg

[Z-Thrizzle]

Has anybody tried using the e36 transmission oil cooler as an engine oil cooler? It would mount in front of the radiator.

[rf900rkw]

It won't flow enough. We typically use a -10 hose (5/8") where that cooler uses an 8mm (5/16, -5) hose. 4x smaller.

[nevan]

It won't flow enough. We typically use a -10 hose (5/8") where that cooler uses an 8mm (5/16, -5) hose. 4x smaller.

Was wondering about it too... Ok, i am scrappig that option.

[mpire]

Oil cooler radiators are pretty inexpensive from a variety of catalogs. Why not just get something designed for the job?