Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Zetec Maintenance Import Engine Oil Cooler from B&M, now with pics

Just thought I would share what I did Saturday;

This weekend I upgraded my engine oil cooler from one I got from Derale with one from B&M.
What a difference!
The Derale was $65 shipped from Summit.
The B&M I got at my local performance shop for $119 on sale ($145 regulaur).
The Derale is big, heavy, and flat black aluminum.
The B&M is smaller (about 1/3 the size), light (~2.5lbs with thermostat), & shiny polished aluminum.
The oil temp dropped about 17 degrees with my new cooler.
The thermostat opens at 140 degrees.
My oil now stays around 170 degrees.
The only problem was that the mounting nut doesn't fit, but I was able to get one that did from my local hardware stoe in the plumbing isle.

Since I was going to lose some oil, I decided to change my oil too.
I chose Mobil 1 Super Synthethic (5W-30) and a B&M oil filter that matched the oil cooler.

And since I was going to get dirty, I flushed the cooling sytem as well.
Got a 170 degree thermostat and some Water Wetter while I was at it.
I mixed 85% water with 15% antifreeze and topped off with Water Wetter.

Since I was this far into it, I decided to pull the heat shiel off the header and paint it.
So I picked up some 1200 degree Engine paint and put a couple on coats on both sides.
Don't know if it actually help anything, but it matches the red silicone coupling of the CTA intake very nicely.

My temp gauge used to rest in the middle of the M,
now it rests in the middle of the O.
Even in stop and go traffic it doesn't go higher than R.
If I manualy turn on the radiator fan, I can get the needle to drop to N.

Tight, I may have to look into this!

How do you manually turn on the fan?
Also, I was under the impression that cooler isn't always better, in order for a good burn in the cylinder the engine needs to be at it's "operating temp"; IIRC the op. temp for the Zetec is 192 deg. I have also heard, though I have no personal experince, that water-wetter and our cooling system don't like each other. I f you were running high CR, turbo, or Nitrous; I could see the need for an oil cooler and a cooler T-stat, but just be aware that lowering the op. temp may possibly rob you of a few ponies.

The reason I got the oil cooler was because i will be running nitrous.
I heard the optimal oil temp for a zetec was ~180 degrees.
Would be a good question for Terry Haines.
I haven't noticed any performance gain or drop.
But the car idles much smoother now.
I have a simple switch connected to the fan.
I would have to go look at my notes for exact wiring points.
The on position of the switch cuts the power line before the fan switch and supplies it to directly to the fan.

The oil filter fitting for a zetec is a 1/2".
The kit comes with a 5/8".

Nice work. Got to get some pics up. I would like to see this.

I'm hoping to have pics up some time today or tonight.
I also forgot to mention that a shorter oil filter is recommended.
Don't want the filter getting to close to any moving suspension parts.
Two days of driving and no leaks, yeah!

Edit to earlier post.
The oil cooler I bought was the display model and didn't come with all adapters.
If you get a brand new one, you will get the appropriate connectors and won't need to buy a plumbing pipe connector.

Alright, visit here for a couple pics of my car and the oil cooler.

Be kind, be mean, I don't care cuz its my car.

I should be getting my stock sale proceeds in a couple weeks, $1143.58

It's going towards the purchase of a Quaife and NOS.

So when those are done 'll post more pics.

Sweet! I just might have to do this oil cooler mod. Your engine bay looks similar to mine. Good work.

Any particular reason you bagged the Derale unit for the B&M one? Actually, if there was a reason, was it for better cooling or just weight, size, etc. Did the Derale unit have a stat? Any other things pro/con on the Derale vs. the B&M? How thick are the two different adapters?

As you can see, I'm seriously considering an oil cooler but $$$ is a major concern. I *might* go with the Derale setup and then upgrade the rad later on (when I have a job), unless it is junk.

Thanks for the compliments all.

Couple of reasons I scrapped the Derale;
1) it is ugly = flat black aluminum
2) weighs more = more than 2x as much
3) it doesn't cool as efficiently
4) its bigger and blocked more of the radiator

The sandwitch adapters are the same size.
I'm sure a thermostat could be used with the Derale.
I am much happier with the B&M, I recommend it.

If you do add an oil cooler, remember to add some extra oil to your engine. I had to add 1/2 quart.