Anyone did oil cooler on an 128i n51?

[racer_951]

I just bought an 128i M-Sport 6MT with only 38k miles. Plan to oil cooler before taking it to the track. I heard key out some YouTube oil cooler installation video. Folks with n52 can install a 135i cooler. But apparently, it won’t work on n51. How did you do it? Any tips and pointers? Much appreciate your help and suggestions.🙏

[spidertri]

Yes, I installed one on my N51. There is really no difference between N51/52 cars when it comes to adding an oil cooler.

You can buy the N54/55 oil filter housing which includes the thermostat housing and add the stock 135i oil cooler that way or get the connector to run a custom cooler using AN10 lines. I chose to run a custom setrab core in the middle of the front bumper.

[racer_951]

Spidertri, thank you! This is helpful information.

[racer_951]

Spidertri, is this the 135i oil cooler you installed. Just want to make sure.

[spidertri]

That's the stock 135i oil cooler, other members have threads showing how to install it.

I have a Setrab ‎50-915-7612 with custom lines and mounts to get it in the center of the bumper opening.

[racer_951]

Thanks spidertri. I just bought this oil cooler, mounting bracket from eBay. The 135i oil filter housing and lines from a forum member. Just need 4 new oil line o rings then I’m good to go. That will be my 2nd mod after installing 135i front brake set and stainless steel brake lines.

I’ll do a search on the forum for diy tips

[adeuel]

Oil cooler made a huge difference in my 128 N51 on warm track days.

Before adding, I would get a limp mode on top end after 20 min on track. Would cut power above 6500rpm for a few turns, then give it back. No dash lights or codes to clear.

Added oil cooler and water in the radiator, and had no issues on a subsequently hotter day.

Also heard that brake temp can contribute to engine limp I described, and the Turner N51 tune coded all that junk out too.

[racer_951]

Last time at Thunderhill, I got about 4 good laps then it were to limp mode. I backed it off a bit to let it cool off a bit. Then it came back again. It wasn’t even a hot day. I installed 135i front brakes and stoptech brake lines. Brake works great. I got all the parts for the oil cooler. Just came back from vacation in Costa Rica. Plan to work on the car next week.

[wootloops]

Originally Posted by racer_951

Last time at Thunderhill, I got about 4 good laps then it were to limp mode. I backed it off a bit to let it cool off a bit. Then it came back again. It wasn’t even a hot day. I installed 135i front brakes and stoptech brake lines. Brake works great. I got all the parts for the oil cooler. Just came back from vacation in Costa Rica. Plan to work on the car next week.

In addition to the oil temp limp mode, there is a brake temp limp mode you will want to code out. It doesn't actually have a temperature sensor in the brakes, it's just an estimate by the DME based on how hard you have been braking in a short period of time. It can assume the brakes are hotter than they really are and then cut power to the engine as a safety measure.

Some info: https://www.e90post.com/forums/showp...3&postcount=14

(Note that the above link is specific to N54 so some of the names of the coding settings are different or may not exist on the N51/N52 but the concept is still the same).

[racer_951]

Thanks wootloops!

[racer_951]

I recall seeing a thread recommending a source for coding out some of these nannies remotely. I’ll do a search but do you have any recommendation.

[racer_951]

Another question. To delete the secondary air injection pump on my N51 (for the oil cooler installation), besides the block off plate, what other parts do I need?

[bbnks2]

Originally Posted by racer_951

I recall seeing a thread recommending a source for coding out some of these nannies remotely. I’ll do a search but do you have any recommendation.

just buy the protool app and do it yourself. takes all of 15 seconds with protool.

[adeuel]

Originally Posted by wootloops

In addition to the oil temp limp mode, there is a brake temp limp mode you will want to code out. It doesn't actually have a temperature sensor in the brakes, it's just an estimate by the DME based on how hard you have been braking in a short period of time. It can assume the brakes are hotter than they really are and then cut power to the engine as a safety measure.

Some info: https://www.e90post.com/forums/showp...3&postcount=14

(Note that the above link is specific to N54 so some of the names of the coding settings are different or may not exist on the N51/N52 but the concept is still the same).

Yes on brake nanny code out.
I installed the Turner N51 specific tune, (supposedly AA tune) and it coded out the brake nanny as well.
Well worth it to up-tune to 91+ gas instead of 87.

[chris82]

Originally Posted by bbnks2

just buy the protool app and do it yourself. takes all of 15 seconds with protool.

New to BMW coding, but you can code the stuff listed in this thread with protool app?

https://www.e90post.com/forums/showp...3&postcount=14

[chris82]

Originally Posted by adeuel

Oil cooler made a huge difference in my 128 N51 on warm track days.

Before adding, I would get a limp mode on top end after 20 min on track. Would cut power above 6500rpm for a few turns, then give it back. No dash lights or codes to clear.

Added oil cooler and water in the radiator, and had no issues on a subsequently hotter day.

Also heard that brake temp can contribute to engine limp I described, and the Turner N51 tune coded all that junk out too.

The fact that someone, some person at BMW decided to not display a warning light on the dash when limp mode is active, to me, is infuriating. How can we have the dash light up for every other sensor, but when the car cuts 50% of your power because your engine oil or predicted brake rotor temperature is so high they deem it dangerous, that's perfectly fine, there's nothing wrong, just ignore the fact that your car will no longer accelerate. What a joke!

I'm glad I have my oil cooler installed now, will be testing it this summer, also glad I stumbled upon the brake nannies, I'll be taking joy in disabling each and every one of those before my next event.

[wootloops]

Originally Posted by racer_951

Another question. To delete the secondary air injection pump on my N51 (for the oil cooler installation), besides the block off plate, what other parts do I need?

Block off plate, a fresh gasket, and maybe get an extra set of the hardware just in case (2 nuts and 2 studs). You will also need a tuner to disable the secondary air pump "Check engine" lights. Bob @ StageFP did mine.

[bbnks2]

Originally Posted by chris82

New to BMW coding, but you can code the stuff listed in this thread with protool app?

https://www.e90post.com/forums/showp...3&postcount=14

Yes, protool right from your phone has enabled you to do almost everything that the BMWTools software suite can do on a laptop.

[bbnks2]

Originally Posted by racer_951

I just bought an 128i M-Sport 6MT with only 38k miles. Plan to oil cooler before taking it to the track. I heard key out some YouTube oil cooler installation video. Folks with n52 can install a 135i cooler. But apparently, it won’t work on n51. How did you do it? Any tips and pointers? Much appreciate your help and suggestions.��

As others have stated, you can swap an oil cooler onto an n51 all the same. I did it on my n51 128i.

I actually have a full retrofit kit available if you or anyone else is interested. Thermostat housing, lines, bracket, and stock 10 row oil cooler. I have the wheel well grill as well. You just need to cut a hole in your stock wheel well liner (it actually has lines on it where to cut).

https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1914934

[chris82]

Originally Posted by bbnks2

Yes, protool right from your phone has enabled you to do almost everything that the BMWTools software suite can do on a laptop.

Thank you! I just downloaded that and plan to code them all out tonight.

[chris82]

Originally Posted by bbnks2

As others have stated, you can swap an oil cooler onto an n51 all the same. I did it on my n51 128i.

I actually have a full retrofit kit available if you or anyone else is interested. Thermostat housing, lines, bracket, and stock 10 row oil cooler. I have the wheel well grill as well. You just need to cut a hole in your stock wheel well liner (it actually has lines on it where to cut).

https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1914934

What a deal! I spent at least $1000 on parts and a couple hours labor.....

[bbnks2]

Originally Posted by chris82

What a deal! I spent at least $1000 on parts and a couple hours labor.....

yeah the bracket goes behind the front clip so you need to take that off to install it properly. well worth it though and you can bundle in other maintenance.