i'm in Az so it's very hot here , above 100+F all summer. oil temps stay above 200F but no more than 220F.
and yes i have the 180 degree t-stat and HKS fan controller too.
- john

 

i put mine on the passenger crush tube . the hose i used is so rigid that all i had to do to the thermostat was zip tie it in place . it just kinda suspends above the crush tube . had to notch some plastic and some of the ear off the front of the crush tube for the hoses. ; i didn't like squishing them. even though they open up when pressed . you want the thermostat loop as close to the block as you can . but if you throw a belt you want the hoses away from damage potential .

 

also you may want to go to summit racing and get some hose cover . it'll keep them from being worn from abbration .

 

I ran into mounting issues and I think im going to have to order a smaller oil cooler so I can mount it above the airconditioning condenser. Also the hoses will have to be rerouted. I think I can make it work with minimal triming of the hoses. The thermostat will end up down the hole by the oil filter. Access to the filter is not obstructed. The hoses are Aeroquip, and if you have ever seen or worked with them, they are super abbration resistant and a pain to cut/keep from unraveling.

 

yes they are . that's what i'm using .

 

You dont by any chance have the "Koul Tool" that makes attaching the fittings easier do you? Im to cheap to buy the whole set for $75. Want to lend it to me? I can compensate you. I want to clean up my connections, at the moment there is tape holding the steel mesh from unraveling.

 

i'm using aeroquip push-on hoses. no issues. super hard to push on even after soaking in hot water . so ; sorry i don't have the fitting tool .

 

Been following this thread with interest. Good input. Here is a link on my thoughts about a different approach to an oil cooler installation. I think that I address most of the questions that are asked.

http://www.bmwpugetsound.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=31542

John Petrich in Seattle

 

John,
Looks like a great install I'm not thrilled about the cardboard thermostat. I wouldn't want my oil going through a cooler when it has yet to get up to temp. Low temp could be just as harmful as high oil temps. I can't imagine a thermostat in the system would add that much complexity or cost. But hey. If it works for ya great!

And of course you know there would be people ( ME ) out there who would be willing to pay ( you ) for a kit with all the required fittings, hoses, radiator, and other misc parts. If you're not interested in starting a new business. Could you supply a list of parts?
Regards

 

nice job . don't worry too much about the thermostat . . it does help warm the oil up quicker ; but once warm the t-stat is of no further use. so if a cold day presnts itself ; just wait a while after the stock water temp gauge reads normal and motor moderately till the engine free wheels easily . you can actually feel when the oil is fully thinned . for me it's at 150 f . no difference in pressure after that .