180sx: Oil Cooler

Drifting the s14 in the past has seen oil temps shooting past 120-130c+ after a few laps so I always planned to put an oil cooler on it but never got around to it.

Anyways that's why I've done it for the 180 this time around.

This is the full list of parts for my Oil Cooler Kit:
- TRUST GREDDY GREX ENGINE OIL BLOCK ADAPTER - TYPE I AN10 (PN: 12401114)
- Taarks Oil Block v2 (AN10) (PN: 404-002-P)
- Koyorad 15 Row Oil Cooler core (PN:XC151405W/UOL002)
- x4 metres 450 Series Hose AN10 (mate used 3m but I ordered an extra metre to be safe and ended up needing it due to a mistake)
- x2 AN10 ORB Male fittings
- x4 AN10 100/450 Series 90deg hose end
- x2 AN10 100/450 Series straight hose end

*Hose and fittings were all from efi solutions/taarks

I mounted core while fabricating the fmic. More details for the mounting will be in a separate post for the fmic. 

Used some tape to make template for bracket to transfer onto some flat bar. 

Bracket made (or so I thought). I used 25x3mm mild flat bar. 

I bolted it to the bracket for the washer bottle. 

Then realised I forgot to account for cooler pipe so I modified the bracket. Another handy welder moment. 

Time to start making the lines. I use 600mm cable shears which you can get off eBay for a fraction of the price that Aeroflow, raceworks, other fitting companies etc resell it to you for. 

I used to use an angle grinder but the shears are much neater, quieter and require less cleanup. Small oil can is handy to have too for lubricating the fittings before  assembly.
Vice jaws and adjustable AN spanner also highly recommended. Makes assembly much nicer to do.  

First pair of lines made but was too keen and didn’t double check which ports on the grex plate I was meant to run it to…

This is how it's meant to be plumbed. Luckily I ordered the extra meter of hose and was able to cut down one of the lines otherwise I would’ve had to make yet another taarks order. 

Oil block fitted. Wait till you’ve tightened your lines before installing the Oem pressure sensor otherwise you won’t have enough space. 

I added an additional bracket to help with stability. Just need to wait for the rain to clear so I can paint it.

I filled the oil filter and oil cooler core prior to reinstalling the lines.

Fin. 

Before running the car I’ll pull the spark plugs and crank the motor a few times though it should honestly be okay with the filter and core pre-filled.

The grex plate (as all thermostats usually do) has a small bypass so it’ll trickle oil through the cooler loop to keep it filled/bled before the thermostat opens.

Car is getting closer to a running state can’t wait!