Hey all,
As of right now I am looking at upgrading the cooling systems of my car, a FBO 335i AT 2008. I need a little help/advice on doing so, however.
First off, let me start by saying that I have the stock oil cooler from the factory with the stock thermostat, as well as the Helix FMIC to control IAT's. I also have the aFe sealed intake box. I live in South Florida, where I see 240-250 oil temps all the time, and this is higher than I would like to be operating at. Ideally, I would like to be around 210-220 on the street, and during a track session, no higher than 250. This brings me to my options I have researched thus far with a budget of around 1,000 dollars or less:
AR Design Oil cooler-- I like how it retains the stock oil cooler, and I can use BMS's thermostat delete with this. Problem with this option is I was reading Alpina B3 Lux's review on this product, and apparently the core blocks about half of the stock intake snorkel, which is the primary area I get my air from. Also, being an AT, I need to keep as much rad surface area as possible to avoid higher coolant temps than I would like. I know airflow can pass through AR's core and into the rad, but it seems like that may be less than ideal? SO far, this seems to be the best option, as I have also considered doing the PPK rad retrofit (more on that later)
STETT Stage 2-- Looks as if it replaces the stock core. I don't know if I want to go this route if it costs more than AR's kit, and essentially has less overall surface area than the stock+AR combo. I like the fact that it uses a 180F thermostat, as it will allow for proper oil warm up procedure. I also like how it dousn't interfere with the radiator at all. I know some users have experienced line leakage problems, but it seems as if aftermarket steel lines solve the problem (I don't think this should be required from a kit the price STETT charges)
ER Sport Oil Cooler (Competition out of my price range)-- Not sure how good of an upgrade this will be for me, if I already have the stock OC. If it keeps me around 210-230 on the street and dousn't pass that, I would be interested however.
As of right now I am leaning towards going with AR's kit, but I would like to hear some of your experiences with various OC options, and how your temps look on the street and road course. These options mentioned above are the top three I have come to in my research on this topic, but I would like to see if anybody has had sucess with other kits. I am not a DIY person, I would prefer a kit specifically made for the car I can purchase and hook up right away. I was also looking into the PPK aux radiator option, considering I could do this as a secondary option, and live with a thermostat delete on my stock oil cooler for now if this PPK rad really helps coolant temps. In the end, I am wanting to solve both heat from coolant and oil, but will do which ever will net me more of a benefit in the mean time. Has anyone here retrofitted the PPK radiator without buying the PPK tune (As I am on COBB)? If so, what were the part #'s/final costs?
Thank you for your time, I am looking foward to hearing your opinions on my choices and/or PPK aux radiator thoughts as I know AT guys need to worry about coolant temps more so than MT guys. Also on my to do list is the M-Tech front bumper, to get more frontal surface area to benefit airflow to these various cores.
Nick
As of right now I am looking at upgrading the cooling systems of my car, a FBO 335i AT 2008. I need a little help/advice on doing so, however.
First off, let me start by saying that I have the stock oil cooler from the factory with the stock thermostat, as well as the Helix FMIC to control IAT's. I also have the aFe sealed intake box. I live in South Florida, where I see 240-250 oil temps all the time, and this is higher than I would like to be operating at. Ideally, I would like to be around 210-220 on the street, and during a track session, no higher than 250. This brings me to my options I have researched thus far with a budget of around 1,000 dollars or less:
AR Design Oil cooler-- I like how it retains the stock oil cooler, and I can use BMS's thermostat delete with this. Problem with this option is I was reading Alpina B3 Lux's review on this product, and apparently the core blocks about half of the stock intake snorkel, which is the primary area I get my air from. Also, being an AT, I need to keep as much rad surface area as possible to avoid higher coolant temps than I would like. I know airflow can pass through AR's core and into the rad, but it seems like that may be less than ideal? SO far, this seems to be the best option, as I have also considered doing the PPK rad retrofit (more on that later)
STETT Stage 2-- Looks as if it replaces the stock core. I don't know if I want to go this route if it costs more than AR's kit, and essentially has less overall surface area than the stock+AR combo. I like the fact that it uses a 180F thermostat, as it will allow for proper oil warm up procedure. I also like how it dousn't interfere with the radiator at all. I know some users have experienced line leakage problems, but it seems as if aftermarket steel lines solve the problem (I don't think this should be required from a kit the price STETT charges)
ER Sport Oil Cooler (Competition out of my price range)-- Not sure how good of an upgrade this will be for me, if I already have the stock OC. If it keeps me around 210-230 on the street and dousn't pass that, I would be interested however.
As of right now I am leaning towards going with AR's kit, but I would like to hear some of your experiences with various OC options, and how your temps look on the street and road course. These options mentioned above are the top three I have come to in my research on this topic, but I would like to see if anybody has had sucess with other kits. I am not a DIY person, I would prefer a kit specifically made for the car I can purchase and hook up right away. I was also looking into the PPK aux radiator option, considering I could do this as a secondary option, and live with a thermostat delete on my stock oil cooler for now if this PPK rad really helps coolant temps. In the end, I am wanting to solve both heat from coolant and oil, but will do which ever will net me more of a benefit in the mean time. Has anyone here retrofitted the PPK radiator without buying the PPK tune (As I am on COBB)? If so, what were the part #'s/final costs?
Thank you for your time, I am looking foward to hearing your opinions on my choices and/or PPK aux radiator thoughts as I know AT guys need to worry about coolant temps more so than MT guys. Also on my to do list is the M-Tech front bumper, to get more frontal surface area to benefit airflow to these various cores.
Nick