Custom oil cooler setup questions/suggestions - LotusTalk

Conan · 07-31-2010, 09:19 AM

I've wanted to put my own oil cooler solution in for a while now. I did one for my 944spec car and was really happy with the setup and results. I find the stock oil cooler setup in the Elise to be fairly poor in design:

Long lines add avoidable weight
More stress and power is required the further the oil has to travel
Oil pressure is harder to maintain with longer lines
too much old oil remains in the system during an oil change (unless you purge the entire system which is too difficult for weekend warriors like myself)
Repairing potential leaks/breaks is excessively difficult

After reading Rob's thread, I'm motivated to go through with a custom setup, although I'll go with a air cooler versus a water cooler because it's just easier.

So my question is, where do I put the cooler? I'm thinking one of three spots: 1) Driver's side air intake (see pic); 2) Passenger's side air scoop intake (see pic); 3) Above the naca ducts near the bottom-front of the engine bay. I think I've seen at least one implementation using one of these. Any suggestions or experience would be greatly appreciated.

txdude · 07-31-2010, 09:43 AM

I suggest the passenger side scoop due to the fact that it appears some/most F/I setups I've seen utilize the driver's side intake scoops. Whatever route you take, post pics because you caught my interest on this.

lt0302 · 07-31-2010, 09:45 AM

I am working on mine and i will be putting it on the passanger side with a small electric fan for heavy traffic....sort of an just in case thing......I bought the kit from a fellow lotustalk member who is parting out his car.

[P²] · 07-14-2011, 05:30 AM

Did anyone end up doing this project? I'm interested in what size oil cooler will fit in the passenger side pod.

jwb4bb · 07-14-2011, 05:47 AM

I saw one of these setups on turbophils car yesterday at the track. I was very interested for the above reasons listed in the OP. I wasn't thinking, but I should have taken a pic. His was located on the drivers side. I didn't think to ask him why he decided to put it there vs the passenger. From what I could tell it looked like the stock oil cooler bolted to a custom fabbed bracket. The cooler was positioned after the air intake at about a 45deg angle very close to the rear drivers wheel well. He also had slits cut into the wheel well to allow air to escape more easily.

Now I'm really kicking myself for not taking pictures.

jwb4bb · 07-15-2011, 02:09 PM

Pics!

FistHammer · 03-02-2012, 11:58 AM

This thread needed dug up! This one is about 2 times the size I got... I might order this one. Thread owner, do you have a part number??

pistolpete · 03-22-2012, 09:42 AM

Any more pics or info from those who have done a rear mounted air to oil cooler?

WhatsADSM · 03-22-2012, 09:48 AM

I'll snap some of mine in a few days (week maybe?) once I complete it.

Also going to go to the driver side scoop. That way I can keep the passenger side scoop available for other things later on down the road (BOE's heat exchangers come to mind).

lotus_dp · 03-22-2012, 03:33 PM

Exiged · 03-22-2012, 03:55 PM

Here is a sneak of my setup. Dual Setrab's one for the engine and one for the rotrex I'm installing. Idea borrowed from BOE's heat exchanger. You could stuff a big Setrab in there if you tried. Btw this thing is FIRMLY mounted.

Sent from my Autoguide iPhone app

FistHammer · 03-22-2012, 05:16 PM

What is this "setrab"????

Exiged · 03-22-2012, 05:36 PM

Swedish company which makes high end oil coolers

Sent from my Autoguide iPhone app

ZJChaser · 03-22-2012, 06:25 PM

old photo but my oil cooler is still in the same spot.

Exiged · 03-22-2012, 06:46 PM

Nicely done on the aluminum bending. And the whole car as well!! I have some goodies to do the same type of front splitter but I am a little gun shy on cutting up the front clam

Sent from my Autoguide iPhone app

pistolpete · 05-18-2012, 11:14 AM

Here is what I did. I got the parts from Phil at BOE and had Pure Tuning put it in. I added foam under it and an aluminum panel on the side to better force air through the cooler.
Stock cooling system still in car as I'm wait to see what Lotus does for the recall.

Pic during install:

slightly2ned · 05-25-2012, 09:08 AM

^ At what point would a fan be needed for a smaller oil cooler setup? In follow up to that; what would be the best practice for wiring the fan activation - manual switch/custom timer?

pistolpete · 05-25-2012, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slightly2ned

^ At what point would a fan be needed for a smaller oil cooler setup? In follow up to that; what would be the best practice for wiring the fan activation - manual switch/custom timer?

I don't have the experience to answer that, but those who know will likely want to know if this is a track or street car.
Many "in the know" believe the car would be fine on the street with no oil cooler at all.

qz5gxt · 05-25-2012, 09:56 AM

I had gone the new NCI lines that are very well made and no issues. But If I had to do again I would have gone the rear remote oil cooler for my track Elise

komiko · 05-25-2012, 11:39 AM

just to beat the dead horse...my rear Setrab oil cooler installed by BOE, textbook oil cooler relocation...highly recomended if you can figure out how to do it, or get it done. I chose the "get it done". My ITG intake shares the drivers scoop with the oil cooler. But the wheel well liner is modified for more airflo. I've been trying to figure out if that is to help get heat out, or more cooling air in. Pretty cool. Just leave it to Phil and this kind of stuff is gonna happen. Don't let it scare you, it's called engineering

07-31-2010, 09:19 AM	#1 (permalink)
Conan Driver for hire Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 2,378 Images: 24	Custom oil cooler setup questions/suggestions I've wanted to put my own oil cooler solution in for a while now. I did one for my 944spec car and was really happy with the setup and results. I find the stock oil cooler setup in the Elise to be fairly poor in design: Long lines add avoidable weight More stress and power is required the further the oil has to travel Oil pressure is harder to maintain with longer lines too much old oil remains in the system during an oil change (unless you purge the entire system which is too difficult for weekend warriors like myself) Repairing potential leaks/breaks is excessively difficult After reading Rob's thread, I'm motivated to go through with a custom setup, although I'll go with a air cooler versus a water cooler because it's just easier. So my question is, where do I put the cooler? I'm thinking one of three spots: 1) Driver's side air intake (see pic); 2) Passenger's side air scoop intake (see pic); 3) Above the naca ducts near the bottom-front of the engine bay. I think I've seen at least one implementation using one of these. Any suggestions or experience would be greatly appreciated. Attached Images __________________ Fast in, fast out. 2012 Audi S4, 2007 Honda Odyssey (the wife's), gone: 2006 Elise

07-31-2010, 09:45 AM	#3 (permalink)
lt0302 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Glendale, AZ Posts: 1,597	passanger side I am working on mine and i will be putting it on the passanger side with a small electric fan for heavy traffic....sort of an just in case thing......I bought the kit from a fellow lotustalk member who is parting out his car. __________________ 05 Lotus Elise VF2 to TVS, MWR Fuel Rail, Stage II exhaust w/ Larini Decat, Moroso Oil Pan, RTD Brace, PRoAlloy Aluminum Radiator, SS Break Lines, S111 Oil Catch Can, ACT HDC, HID, Carbon Fiber Spliter, Reverie Side Scoops, CF side skirts, FF gauge pod, BWR gauge pod, S111 front & rear tow hooks, tail lights-LED, Driving lights, LETSLA, Cup holder center console and painted ac surround, 2lbs SS shifter knob, 2010 Exige Spoiler, Lotus shop Seats, RA clam upgrade

03-22-2012, 09:42 AM	#8 (permalink)
pistolpete Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Toledo Posts: 170	Any more pics or info from those who have done a rear mounted air to oil cooler? __________________ Toledo Cars and Coffee https://www.facebook.com/pages/Toled...74943495860461

03-22-2012, 09:48 AM	#9 (permalink)
WhatsADSM Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 1,148	I'll snap some of mine in a few days (week maybe?) once I complete it. Also going to go to the driver side scoop. That way I can keep the passenger side scoop available for other things later on down the road (BOE's heat exchangers come to mind). __________________ 440bhp E85 2006 Solar Yellow Elise. The way it should have been delivered from the factory with Honda Power!

03-22-2012, 03:55 PM	#11 (permalink)
Exiged Registered User Join Date: May 2011 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 1,281	Here is a sneak of my setup. Dual Setrab's one for the engine and one for the rotrex I'm installing. Idea borrowed from BOE's heat exchanger. You could stuff a big Setrab in there if you tried. Btw this thing is FIRMLY mounted. Sent from my Autoguide iPhone app __________________ DIY 2007 Exige S K20A2 C38 Rotrex OneHotLap build thread http://www.onehotlap.com/2012/07/lot...rned-into.html http://www.onehotlap.com/2012/07/lot...d-into_11.html

07-31-2010, 09:43 AM	#2 (permalink)
txdude too easy! Join Date: May 2009 Location: Ramstein Germany Posts: 629	I suggest the passenger side scoop due to the fact that it appears some/most F/I setups I've seen utilize the driver's side intake scoops. Whatever route you take, post pics because you caught my interest on this.

07-14-2011, 05:30 AM	#4 (permalink)
[P²] Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Mountain View, CA. Posts: 53	Did anyone end up doing this project? I'm interested in what size oil cooler will fit in the passenger side pod.

07-14-2011, 05:47 AM	#5 (permalink)
jwb4bb Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Lenexa KS Posts: 486	I saw one of these setups on turbophils car yesterday at the track. I was very interested for the above reasons listed in the OP. I wasn't thinking, but I should have taken a pic. His was located on the drivers side. I didn't think to ask him why he decided to put it there vs the passenger. From what I could tell it looked like the stock oil cooler bolted to a custom fabbed bracket. The cooler was positioned after the air intake at about a 45deg angle very close to the rear drivers wheel well. He also had slits cut into the wheel well to allow air to escape more easily. Now I'm really kicking myself for not taking pictures.

07-15-2011, 02:09 PM	#6 (permalink)
jwb4bb Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Lenexa KS Posts: 486	Pics!

03-02-2012, 11:58 AM	#7 (permalink)
FistHammer Carbon Fiber Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 1,451 Images: 181	This thread needed dug up! This one is about 2 times the size I got... I might order this one. Thread owner, do you have a part number??

03-22-2012, 03:33 PM	#10 (permalink)
lotus_dp Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 282

03-22-2012, 05:16 PM	#12 (permalink)
FistHammer Carbon Fiber Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 1,451 Images: 181	What is this "setrab"????

03-22-2012, 05:36 PM	#13 (permalink)
Exiged Registered User Join Date: May 2011 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 1,281	Swedish company which makes high end oil coolers Sent from my Autoguide iPhone app __________________ DIY 2007 Exige S K20A2 C38 Rotrex OneHotLap build thread http://www.onehotlap.com/2012/07/lot...rned-into.html http://www.onehotlap.com/2012/07/lot...d-into_11.html

03-22-2012, 06:25 PM	#14 (permalink)
ZJChaser Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Laguna Hills, CA Posts: 3,518	old photo but my oil cooler is still in the same spot. __________________ AJ - Akua Solutions - #128 Lotus Exige - MonkeyWrench Racing - DRS - Carbonetic - Innovative Mounts - Toyo Tires - JRZ Suspension - PPE Engineering

03-22-2012, 06:46 PM	#15 (permalink)
Exiged Registered User Join Date: May 2011 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 1,281	Nicely done on the aluminum bending. And the whole car as well!! I have some goodies to do the same type of front splitter but I am a little gun shy on cutting up the front clam Sent from my Autoguide iPhone app __________________ DIY 2007 Exige S K20A2 C38 Rotrex OneHotLap build thread http://www.onehotlap.com/2012/07/lot...rned-into.html http://www.onehotlap.com/2012/07/lot...d-into_11.html

05-25-2012, 09:56 AM	#19 (permalink)
qz5gxt Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Lake Orion MI Posts: 317	I had gone the new NCI lines that are very well made and no issues. But If I had to do again I would have gone the rear remote oil cooler for my track Elise __________________ BOE REV400TVS,Nikasil SB, Arias pistons, NGK 02, Difflow 5, Fidanza V2 Clutch/Flywheel, MONOballs, Ultradisc, Carotech XP10 XP12 pads, BOE Tilt Clam, BOE Catch can,TRACK mounts, Braille, Larini header/de Cat/BOE exhaust , AIM full Data, Nitron Doubles, V2arms, V2linx, RTVbrace, Profi II 6-Point, Tillett B6F race seats, V-Force Harness bar, Hoosier R6, Roto Torque wheels, GUT frt Spoiler, gPAN, mess grills, CF Exige Side, V2 gas tank and BOE fuel surge tank, ProRad radiator/Samco hoses.....

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05-18-2012, 11:14 AM	#16 (permalink)
pistolpete Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Toledo Posts: 170	Here is what I did. I got the parts from Phil at BOE and had Pure Tuning put it in. I added foam under it and an aluminum panel on the side to better force air through the cooler. Stock cooling system still in car as I'm wait to see what Lotus does for the recall. Pic during install: __________________ Toledo Cars and Coffee https://www.facebook.com/pages/Toled...74943495860461 Last edited by pistolpete; 05-25-2012 at 05:56 AM.

05-25-2012, 09:08 AM	#17 (permalink)
slightly2ned Registered User Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 906	^ At what point would a fan be needed for a smaller oil cooler setup? In follow up to that; what would be the best practice for wiring the fan activation - manual switch/custom timer?

05-25-2012, 11:39 AM	#20 (permalink)
komiko Gamera -The Atomic Turtle Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 2,146	just to beat the dead horse...my rear Setrab oil cooler installed by BOE, textbook oil cooler relocation...highly recomended if you can figure out how to do it, or get it done. I chose the "get it done". My ITG intake shares the drivers scoop with the oil cooler. But the wheel well liner is modified for more airflo. I've been trying to figure out if that is to help get heat out, or more cooling air in. Pretty cool. Just leave it to Phil and this kind of stuff is gonna happen. Don't let it scare you, it's called engineering Attached Images __________________ Lotus Elise #134 - June/2004 build date - BOE REV400 installed on stock motor w/stock cat/mani 336.4bhp, passes all 50 states emissions/OBD, BOE ST exhaust, ACT HDSS, BOE Clam Hinge, etc. 0-60 = under 4 seconds. Build thread : http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/f160...seline-114302/ Last edited by komiko; 06-06-2012 at 05:50 PM.

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