Oil Cooler Recommendations For R34 Gtt?

[Glennno]

How did you get on with this?

[V28VX37]

How did you get on with this?

Well, it's been an epic saga but I think it's all sorted finally. Check this thread: http://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/462362-oil-cooler-too-eager-faulty-thermostat-or-incorrect-temp-sensor-location/

I most certainly would not recommend the Mocal sandwich plate or the Driftworks kit overall: http://www.driftworks.com/thermostatic-oil-cooler-kit-for-all-engines.html

• The Mocal plate doesn't have ports for sensors and it takes heaps of mucking around to work around that. Also the internal thermostat-controlled bypass port is tiny, meaning that the majority of the oil always goes through the cooler, irrespective of temperature, which is not ideal for a street car especially in Vic.
• The Driftworks kit comes with prefabricated hoses. They're really heavy duty but with scrimped fittings, so you can't change them or shorten the hoses. The main issue is that whilst one end has a 90-degree fitting the other is straight, and is really tough to route past the alternator in the RB25DET. In my install we had to bend the hoses too tight and they started leaking from the fittings -> new hose time.

The Mocal core is ok.

Also do not buy an oil cooler kit second hand. I can't stress this enough. I saw this advice before buying, chose to ignore it, and have paid the price many times over in headaches and labour.

If I had my time again here's what I would get, all new parts:

1. The Greddy/Grex sandwich plate. It's a better design than the Mocal with two sensor ports, a larger thermostat bypass port, and 45-degree angled in+out for the lines.
2. Quality core: Setrab, Mocal or similar
3. Quality lines and fittings: Speedflow, cut to suitable lengths and professionally assembled. I'd also get the Nomex/Kevlar type to save having to pad braided lines to prevent scuffing.

I'd also install the cooler core underneath the right headlight if at all possible (mine's between the intercooler and radiator) for two reasons:

1. Less impact on water temps in hot weather when pushed hard
2. Ability add blocking plate over oil cooler without impacting other cores

On a more positive note, my setup works well, out at Calder Park in February (mid 20C's) I never had to back off because of oil temps, and only a couple of times because of water.

Hope this helps.