Oil Coolers for KO4 conversion - how much

[BlackShadow]

Finally going for the KO4 converision after having had the car for a number of years. The engine has to come out to have the manifolds changed, given that they are ratling. While it is out, KO4s will be put on there with RS4 inlet hoses and RS4/MTM fuel kit. Sports Cats, full Milltech, Mov'it brakes, H&R suspension already on the car.

Reading the threads on here, the one other thing people seem to recommend is the fitment of enlarged/more efficient oil-coolers.

1) How much are these?
2) Effort/cost in fitting then - bearing in mind the engine is coming out anyway?
3) Opinions on with and without them - seems to be you end up with more bhp, but they aren't necessarily a "must", like the fitment of the fueling gear, without which it appears problems can occur.

Bits of info seem already in other threads, but wanted to try and get them addressed to my specific circumstances.

All your comments much appreciated.

[jeffw]

I ran a KO4 car for a long time without a oil cooler. This was, mainly, because I couldn't justify the cost of the RS4 cooler to myself. Without an oil cooler the car will be hotter than a K03 car (approx +10 deg) and this will be an issue on track days.

I've had the MRC kit fitted to mine for a lot less money than the RS4 kit and it works very well. Normal road driving is 85, spirited driving 90 and track days around 100. As soon as you come off the loud pedal the oil temp drop quickly.

[BlackShadow]

How much was the MRC kit you had fitted, Jeff? And do you know the cost of the RS4 oil coolers? Also, does the mapping need to be tweaked with the new oil coolers to get more power out, or will it natually produce more power due to the oil running cooler? Or does the oil just run cooler and that's it?

[Peakz]

I may be wrong but I think the MRC oil cooler kit is roughly £500 fitted, I know Ash318 has one fitted to his tuned S4.

http://www.mrctuning.com/s4rs4oilcooler.php

[searider]

Oil coolers or intercoolers?

[S4TAN]

Oil Coolers for KO4 conversion - how much

the fitment of enlarged/more efficient oil-coolers.

without a oil cooler.

Without an oil cooler

the RS4 oil coolers?

the new oil coolers

the oil running cooler?

Or does the oil just run cooler

the MRC oil cooler kit

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then:

Oil coolers or intercoolers?

Ummm .... I reckon it's probably oil coolers ....

[kies4]

the rs4 oil cooler is an easy fit specially with every thing out, there is a sandwich plate that goes between the oil cooler pipes and the and oil filter. I have given mine a good try out on the autobahns and the ring haven't seem much over 120 on the dial. www.Autospeedperformance.com do a kit with intercooler and oil cooler and all for $2199 or just under £1100 with exchange rates. They do great products going by the bit I have from them, but I was not that happy with service. If your tempted make sure they have it in stock and can send out that day.

[BlackShadow]

Thanks guys. I'll probably leave the oil coolers out for the time being, given I will not be using it as a track car and I drive like a granny for the majority of the time. I'll keep an eye on the oil gauge for when I take my granny gear off.

Mr Granny Tranny

[jeffw]

Talk to Doug regarding price but I though it was something like £400. The RS4 kit was over £750 if I remember correctly.

[tartan_rob]

I made my own oil cooler up for about £200, fitting was dead easy but if you don;t know what you are doing then best to leave alone and let someone who knows what they are doing do it. There is other things you should be doing whilst engine out - MRC can go through this you, but things like clutch, starter, I/C's, cam belts, idler rollers etc

[ZeroK66]

Mihnea ran his 500BHP S4 for a long time (and infact currently is) without an oil cooler. I too ran mine with the same level of mods for a long time wihtout one, but added one as I plan to track the car. I think most K04 S4's dont have one.

[BlackShadow]

Thanks for you help, guys. Noted, your comments on cam belts etc, but that stuff was all done at the 70,000 mile service.

However, cost is a consideration at the moment. I know that given a few grand more I would throw a lot more at it; but I guess I'm after a reliable 400 bhp for a car that isn't tracked.

The car is being done by QST as we speak. They did the initial work, so I'll let them continue. They are also easier for me to get to than MRC. MRC seem a little more bespoke looking at their website, whereas QST stick to MTM tuning parts.

[MCB]

(:lol: wicked post there Julian!)

[ChipHazzard]

Noted, your comments on cam belts etc, but that stuff was all done at the 70,000 mile service.

Did they change the water pump ??????? if not you might end up doing it all again, like I have had to recently when my water pump gave out

[DavidT]

I think the S4's need an oil cooler. Mine used to get to 120 quite quickly on trackdays even when it was standard.

I got an RS4 oil cooler before they went pricy and it has made a big difference, even though the car is now 400 bhp +, it takes the oil much longer to get to 120 and a gentle mile or two brings it down quickly. I shudder to think how hot it would get now without one.