Long story short HEL sent me the wrong sized cooler core and fittings in the first kit and tried to palm me off saying they don't didn't stock the size I wanted and it was a 'website error'. But when BRZ mate Des bought a kit of the right size and configuration from them, I confronted them about it and only then they decided to send me the right kit, and even then they messed up with the fittings which required more follow up to resolve. Eventually they got it mostly right and I sent them the wrong kit back which HEL still owe me the postage cost from memory. Following up on that is almost not worth the stress. It has been one HEL(L) of an experience!
Sorry, bad pun, it's the dad thing haha! 😅
Princess this time says "This is a oil cooler, but it's the wrong one! Bamboozled again!"
What I got is a 25-row core with -8AN fittings. But I ordered a 19-row core with -10AN fittings.
Mocal thermostated sandwhich plate which is the same one used on much more expensive kits like Perrin. But Perrin wouldn't f'up the order, just saying!
The 25-row does look mighty impressive though.
Fastward months, the (mostly) correct parts arrive! But this time it was missing a 45 deg fitting this time.
The correct 19-row core has Setrab decals too. Now I wonder why the 25-row doesn't have the decals? Did HEL try to palm off a random generic core to me initially? 😡
25-row vs 19-row. Mine is bigger than yours.
-10AN vs -8AN. A very noticeable difference.
Replacement fitting arrives looking slightly used and is an Aeroflow instead of their own label. I'm tired of all this toing and froing, so I'm just going to work with it ðŸ˜
With Winton just around the corner (again), off to work I go. Bumper off!
I tried to be organised and separated the fasteners into different jars for different parts of the bumper and under tray removal. Fingers crossed I won't have any 'spares' afterwards.
Test fitting the core. It'll go around here.
Plenty of room for the 25 row!
Never a fan of too many shiny bits, so I hit it with some paint. Only paint I had left was some VHT stuff, that'll do!
Measure a million times, cut once.
Looking almost stock. Actually they should of included this as an option.
Oil cooler:Bumper grill opening ratio.
The hard plastic under tray removed to be drilled.
Surprisingly sturdy. Should hold the oil cooler ok.
Sussing out how I can further secure the core. Spotted a spare threaded hole in the crash bar and a bracket on the air con condenser nearby.
Recycling old parts from a fire extinguisher mount from the Mini Cooper days to make a mount.
I decided to use the air con condenser bracket and as it's on rubber mounts to stop vibrations.
It is plenty secure when torqued up.
Oil cooler core mounted.
Hoses cut with an angle grinder and cleaned up with some sharp scissors.
There we have it, my first braided hose fitting. Praying for no leaks 😅
Yup, I'm proud how clean they came out.
Narva spiral wrap for the oil hoses to protect them from rubbing holes into what they might touch and themselves.
Operating temperature -75C to +125C. Should be right!... Right?!
Fairly rigid but still flexible enough to route.
Piecing together the sandwich plate. To Teflon tape or not? I ended up using some.
Routed the hoses behind the crash bar....
... and under the headlight ...
... finally into the engine bay. Clearance between the air box, oil cap and this hard line at the back is absolutely minimal.
A point on the hex of the thermostat touches the hard line.
To gain whatever clearance I can, I filed part of the hex point down. Hope I never need to remove it.
Bought me a bit more clearance. I think I should just bend the hard line...
Special Service Tool for check clearance. Pass!
Pass!
Fail! ... The perfect excuse to buy a new intake 😇
Recycling more old parts. This time an old piece of silicon hose to protect the windscreen washer bottle neck.
Paranoia got the best of me, so a bit of spiral wrap on the hard hose as cheap insurance.
Removed a bolt here during the install and given how tight things are, I don't think I'm putting it back.
There's always 1 left... always.
Wifey mechanic to the rescue!
(Thanks Perrin for the detailed bumper removal instructions, will buy your wares, next time)
Had to crank up the brightness to see the cooler, exactly how I wanted.
After consulting oil gurus from all corners, I decided on the Penrite 10 Tenths Racing 5 stuff for its high zinc, but also cos of its availability, price point and local support.
EZ valve to replace the sump plug. Same concept as the Fumoto just has a built in viton o-ring, rubber cover on the lever and more silver than gold in colour.
Just over 4l was drained when there should be around 5l. I hope the difference has gone to the oil cooler 😧
Perfect day for a test drive!
Cruising the hills at a casual pace in 35 deg+ ambient temps and oil temperatures did not exceed 90! Is the oil cooler working TOO well now? I'll report back after a track day!
