[cedaj]

Has anyone done an oil cooler on a n20/n26? After going on spirited drive the temperature rises to about halfway between the second tick and 250. Is this a normal oil temp?

[Billfitz]

Unless you're doing some serious tracking there's no need for additional oil cooling. The oil temperature does fluctuate a lot depending on driving conditions. It's supposed to do that.

[floridaorange]

Once it hits half way or just past it will
go back down

[D041987]

As people have mentioned above, no need unless you tracking her. But if you are to do it get the 335I thermostat housing and run lines to the oil cooler. You can just get the regular Mishimoto one for $145 and run some lines to it. Reason you want the 335I housing is cause it has a thermostat and will allow your car to heat up normally and open once up to temp. You will usually see about 15-20 degrees on average cooler temps if you live in Florida or Texas where it is super hot. But not much change if you are in the colder states.

[floridaorange]

Do you think that's a smart mod for us Florida drivers? I assume yes.

[Manboy]

some members have done an oil cooler. there are several threads on here with lots of good info.
I did my oil cooler last year. It keeps the temps in check and the power delivery consistent.

https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...4&postcount=28

[johnung]

Originally Posted by D041987

As people have mentioned above, no need unless you tracking her. But if you are to do it get the 335I thermostat housing and run lines to the oil cooler. You can just get the regular Mishimoto one for $145 and run some lines to it. Reason you want the 335I housing is cause it has a thermostat and will allow your car to heat up normally and open once up to temp. You will usually see about 15-20 degrees on average cooler temps if you live in Florida or Texas where it is super hot. But not much change if you are in the colder states.

FYI- That N55 oil thermostat opens at about 230-235 degrees F. and purposely keeps the oil between 230-250 which is where it is designed to run. Guys tend to assume that colder is always better, but it is not! Our engines are optimized to run in a certain range. I was told that with an N55 (by someone involved in racing them) to only be concerned if I saw it hitting 260+.

Assuming something is not wrong with the engine, that's impossible to do unless you are doing lap after lap on a racetrack. The racing solution is upgrading the stock oil cooler located in front of the right front tire area to a larger unit. And there's even a racing kit that adds a second oil cooler over on the other side.

[Billfitz]

Originally Posted by johnung

Guys tend to assume that colder is always better, but it is not!

+1. The engine is most efficient when run as hot as possible. The problem with running it hot is that increases the potential for pre-ignition. For these reasons the temperature management system will have the temperature higher when cruising, where you're not constantly accelerating and decelerating and pre-ignition isn't a concern, colder when you are driving more aggressively.