Intercooler or Oil ooler First?

Brandon135i · 07-09-2015, 11:39 PM

Ideally I would like to do both an intercooler and oil cooler, but budget says I get to do one at a time. I am thinking doing the intercooler first because in theory it should bring down total engine temp, including of course oil temp. I was reading some other threads where guys said with an intercooler it did drop the oil temp down.

What would you do first or do at all on your 1?

Thanks in advance for the input.
Brandon

gap · 07-10-2015, 08:01 AM

Not knowing your modifications I would say intercooler first. I don't think the intercooler will really help much with oil temps though.

Snertz · 07-10-2015, 08:37 AM

Intercooler first for sure, it has a bigger impact on performance than the oil cooler; The stock intercooler heat soaks very easily.

You won't see a significant drop in oil temps, as the stock thermostat doesn't start to open until ~215ish.

Cheap alternative to a full oil cooler setup would be to get the thermostat bypass, they run about $50-60. With the stock oil cooler, you'd still see around 20-30 degree drop in oil temp.

Pig Farmer · 07-10-2015, 08:46 AM

Definitely the intercooler first. I don't think you will see a significant drop in oil temps, but it definitely helps with WOT pulls. With the stock intercooler, the engine starts to fade at the top of 3rd gear as the IAT increases. A good intercooler will help the engine pull harder through all the gears.

While this will spark debate, you could also consider the BMS thermostat delete. This keeps the ol flowing through the stock oil cooler at all times. It does take a bit longer to get the oil temperature up to optimal temp, but it does help lower oil temps once warm. I found that the thermostat delete with the stock oil cooler keeps temps lower than an ER Sport oil cooler with the stock thermostat. If you still see excessive temps, get the ER oil cooler and the thermostat delete. I have never come close the limp mode with this combo. Again, the oil will take longer to warm up, so this is not recommended for cold climates.

MightyMouseTech · 07-10-2015, 08:56 AM

A bigger intercooler reduces the temp of the air going into the engine, which means more power, which means the engine will run hotter. It will not decrease oil temps, quite the opposite actually.

mike@x-ph.com · 07-10-2015, 03:04 PM

As everyone else said, start with an intercooler.

Brandon135i · 07-14-2015, 01:27 AM

Thanks for all the feedback, much appreciated!

07-09-2015, 11:39 PM	#1
Brandon135i New Member 2 Rep 28 Posts Drives: 2012 135i M Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Northern California iTrader: (1)	Intercooler or Oil ooler First? Ideally I would like to do both an intercooler and oil cooler, but budget says I get to do one at a time. I am thinking doing the intercooler first because in theory it should bring down total engine temp, including of course oil temp. I was reading some other threads where guys said with an intercooler it did drop the oil temp down. What would you do first or do at all on your 1? Thanks in advance for the input. Brandon
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07-10-2015, 08:01 AM	#2
gap First Lieutenant 105 Rep 376 Posts Drives: 2008 135i Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: MS iTrader: (1)	Not knowing your modifications I would say intercooler first. I don't think the intercooler will really help much with oil temps though. __________________ ER CP, Forge DV, Wagner FMIC, PE, Maddad Mid, ER Sports OC, BMS OCC, RB Check Valve, AFE intake, Cobb AP3- Stage 1+ drive, BMW SS, PS Springs, Yellow Koni external, M3 Control Arms F & R, M3 Strut Brace, M3 Sub Bushing, Rouge Toe, Dinan Camber Plate and Rear Shock Mts., E93 M3 front sway bar, Mfactory Diff, Arc 8 PSS 235/40/18-265/35/18
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07-10-2015, 08:37 AM	#3
Snertz H O O N 86 Rep 694 Posts Drives: ein M! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: NY iTrader: (9)	Intercooler first for sure, it has a bigger impact on performance than the oil cooler; The stock intercooler heat soaks very easily. You won't see a significant drop in oil temps, as the stock thermostat doesn't start to open until ~215ish. Cheap alternative to a full oil cooler setup would be to get the thermostat bypass, they run about $50-60. With the stock oil cooler, you'd still see around 20-30 degree drop in oil temp. __________________ U WOT M8? Last edited by Snertz; 07-10-2015 at 08:43 AM..
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07-10-2015, 08:46 AM	#4
Pig Farmer Major 340 Rep 1,293 Posts Drives: E92M Join Date: May 2010 Location: Florida iTrader: (0)	Definitely the intercooler first. I don't think you will see a significant drop in oil temps, but it definitely helps with WOT pulls. With the stock intercooler, the engine starts to fade at the top of 3rd gear as the IAT increases. A good intercooler will help the engine pull harder through all the gears. While this will spark debate, you could also consider the BMS thermostat delete. This keeps the ol flowing through the stock oil cooler at all times. It does take a bit longer to get the oil temperature up to optimal temp, but it does help lower oil temps once warm. I found that the thermostat delete with the stock oil cooler keeps temps lower than an ER Sport oil cooler with the stock thermostat. If you still see excessive temps, get the ER oil cooler and the thermostat delete. I have never come close the limp mode with this combo. Again, the oil will take longer to warm up, so this is not recommended for cold climates.
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07-10-2015, 08:56 AM	#5
MightyMouseTech Major General 4338 Rep 6,196 Posts Drives: 13 135i 6MT LeMans Blue MSport Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Ottawa, Canada iTrader: (0)	A bigger intercooler reduces the temp of the air going into the engine, which means more power, which means the engine will run hotter. It will not decrease oil temps, quite the opposite actually.
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07-10-2015, 03:04 PM	#6
mike@x-ph.com Joint Chiefs of Staff 24214 Rep 190,838 Posts Drives: 07-335/12-328/18-M4/21-M4CP Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Las Vegas iTrader: (23)	As everyone else said, start with an intercooler. __________________ Check out our current sale by clicking on this link! https://x-ph.com/sale/ Phone number 702-494-9435
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07-14-2015, 01:27 AM	#7
Brandon135i New Member 2 Rep 28 Posts Drives: 2012 135i M Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Northern California iTrader: (1)	Thanks for all the feedback, much appreciated!
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