DIY GTM Supercharger Oil Cooler Fan Mount for additional air flow
 

This applies to the oil cooler supplement for the GTM Supercharger kit where the oil cooler is mounted in the driver side of the front bumper. This does NOT apply to those who are not FI'ed and have their oil cooler mounted in front of the radiator. This DIY is for those who have a FMIC and had to put their oil cooler in a less than desirable mounting location.

This DIY adds a fan to force additional air flow over the oil cooler. I had already vented the fender liner so the hot air can escape. Since I installed a louvered section, the exiting air is forced downward rather than directly towards the tire. GTM also sells a vented fender lining as well, but it does not fit the NISMO version unless they have started selling a NISMO version. EDIT GTM does have a NISMO version, you just request it in the notes on the order.

As with all DIY installs, you are responsible for your own work. This one is not that hard but does involve wiring and the battery. I am not responsible for damage to yourself or your vehicle. As with everything, there are multiple ways of accomplishing the same goal. This is just how I installed mine and is just a rough DIY.

Parts Required

• (1) SPAL VA22-AP11/C-50S * 6.5"S/12V 6.5" Straight Blade Low Profile Fan / 12V Pusher ($85.74)
  EDIT Verified that the 7.5" (1" larger than original fan) will install just fine as well)VA14-AP7/C-34S * 7.5"S/12V
  7.5" Straight Blade Low Profile Fan / 12V Pusher
• (1) SPAL Fan Relay Harness Kit ($43.05)
• (4) Fan Cushion Bracket ($0.95)
• (1) Rocker Switch Full Size ¼” Tabs

Recommended Misc:
Fan mounting brackets and fan strap kit
Fan control temperature switch rather than a rocker switch
Flex nylon wire loom
Various size heat shrink tubing / heat gun

Wiring for the relay (4 wires)

1. Yellow – Fused connection to battery
2. Orange – Ignition source
3. Red – Positive to fan
4. Grey – Either to temperature sensor OR to switch (I used a switch)

Wiring for Fan (2 wires)

1. Red – From the relay
2. Black – Ground

Wiring for the Rocker Switch (2 wires)

1. Grey – From the relay
2. Ground

I was too lazy to remove the front bumper, but it would have been much easier with that piece out of the way. I was able to get my fan mounted by just removing the fender lining and the engine undertray. Since I have the ZSpeed part, I only had to remove the driver side for full access. However, it took a bunch of fiddling to get the fan mounted. In retrospect, I should have just pulled the bumper off.

Short directions
Jack up the car and put on jack stands
Remove the driver side wheel, fender lining, and engine undertray
Remove the front bumper. I did not but would have given me a lot more room to work.
Mount the fan using your choice of brackets
Find a good spot and mount the relay
Wire up the relay including a rocker switch or temperature switch
Test the fan control

Pictures
Picture of the SPAL 6.5" fan
http://i1120.photobucket.com/albums/...v/IMG_5366.jpg

Or you can use the 7.5" version. Comparison of 6.5" and 7.5"
http://i1120.photobucket.com/albums/...psedc6891a.jpg

This is the front of the oil cooler and mount spot
http://i1120.photobucket.com/albums/...pRev/photo.jpg

EDIT
I replaced my original 6.5" with the 7.5" version
http://i1120.photobucket.com/albums/...psf7026015.jpg

This is the back of the oil cooler
http://i1120.photobucket.com/albums/...v/IMG_3873.jpg

Picture for the relay and wire colors
http://i1120.photobucket.com/albums/...v/IMG_5399.jpg

Photo from Zat_Zuma shows how the fan looks mounted. I could not get a picture because I did not remove the bumper.
http://i1120.photobucket.com/albums/...1313499052.jpg

Picture showing the rocker switch
http://i1120.photobucket.com/albums/...v/IMG_5401.jpg

Photo of my vented fender lining, here is my DIY on that mod. You can also buy a vented fender lining from GTM now.
http://i1120.photobucket.com/albums/...v/IMG_3878.jpg

Misc
I know that Baer383 used a fan switch from Summit Racing to control his fan.
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...3/IMG_0278.jpg

I bought these pucks and they work perfectly on the Z.
http://i1120.photobucket.com/albums/...v/IMG_5367.jpg

I have not really had a lot driving time to rate the fan but it does push a lot of air over the cooler.

Oil cooling efforts so far:

• 25R thermostatic controlled oil cooler
• GReddy turbo oil pan
• Vented fender liner
• SPAL 6.5" fan mounted to oil cooler

Hopefully someone will find this helpful. Thanks to Zat_Zuma and Baer383 for the tips, help, and some of the pictures.

Great write up!

Good write up. I will installing mine really soon.

^^

Thanks weiboy718 and Jamaica

The scorched earth policy has not started yet, but it has been close to 90 with high humidity. Even with boost and playing around on the highway, I have yet to go past 220 with the fan. So far it looks like a great cooling mod.

You also have the oil pan which helps out. So you manually turn on the fan?

Looking good love all the cooling.

Any reasoning behind having the fan placed in front of the cooler 'blocking' part of it, blowing air through vs on the backside pulling air through?

And R&D to see which is the better option?

Yes, it was quicker and easier for me to just wire to a switch. I have not had any problems so far. I usually turn it on at 180-190.

There is not enough room on the back side of the cooler and the fender lining to mount a puller fan. The fender lining is almost sitting directly on the oil cooler itself. If you mounted a puller fan you would have fitment issues getting the fender lining to align back up with the engine under tray.

Well that sucks. :( I would think a puller fan might be more effective, but oh well. Excellent write up and looking forward to more results. :tup:

You should get a switch for the pan so you won't have to turn it on.

good job anyway have a rep and a smile:tiphat:

Here is a short video of the fan and fender vent:

Windzero, any chance to do more testing on this and if there are good improvements versus without the fan?

So far that has been the best cooling mod combined with the inner fender vent. Granted, it is not as hot this summer (yet) and air temperatures have not topped 100.

However, I have not see over 220 on the oil gauge since installing the fan.

I have the Greddy pan,vented liner,sensor on at 190deg.,CSF rad.,Spal 6.5in fan,Uprev fan speed re set @ 192-196-205,and haven't topped 200deg oil temp and our temps here in Atlanta are 90+ so far.

Wind Zero, Thank you for this write up. My temp is hitting 250 even when driving my GTM SC Z like a baby to work and back. I did my first oil change yesterday and when I saw where the oil cooler was mounted I spent the rest of the day pissed at the installer and thinking about how to relocate it. I also thought about venting the splash pan (sorry, engine undertray) and ducting the air up to the oil cooler. Then I thought about drilling holes in the fender liner to let air flow thru, but figured water would sling off the tire and into the cooler fins. Thank You for saving me from a bunch of costly mistakes.

More info in these Please.

Thanks,

C

Don't be pissed at your installer because that is about the only spot left for an oil cooler with the SC kit. That is where GTM put the cooler. It is not an ideal location, but after mounting the FMIC, there are no better spaces available. I think a 34R might fit in place of the 25R but it would be tight. I am tempted to get one and see if it fits.

By far, the best option I have found is to add the SPAL fan and vent the fender liner. This gives you air flow over the cooler and out of the bumper. I have been running the louvered liner for over a year and have no issues to report. Another board member just perforated the lining with drilled holes and that works too.

DFW finally had 5-6 days last week where I had to commute home at over 100 degrees. One day it was 105. Under normal driving my oil temperatures are peaking at 215 to 220 w/o boost. If I get on it, I can easily spike to 230 or 240. However, after settling back down to normal driving habits the temperatures will slowly (10-15 minutes) cool back down to around 220.

This is a list of what I have done to cool my oil:

• GTM 25R oil cooler
• GReddy Turbo Oil Pan
• SPAL 6.5" Fan
• Vented fender lining
• ZSpeed Aluminum under tray

I highly recommend you install the SPAL fan and vent your fender lining. They are both cheap options to cool down that oil.


Those are the Simtec Motorsports jack adapters. They allow you to safely jack up the car without damaging the car.

More information here:
Simtec Motorsports Jack Adapters

WindZ...are you lowered and all? Just wondering if there is any clearance issues with the oil pan spacer. Thanks for the great info and you have been repped. :tiphat:

Thanks for the rep.

I am running the stock NISMO suspension that came on the car. I have the GReddy Turbo Oil Pan and it does not sit any lower than the OEM pan so it is not the lowest point. No clearance issues at all.

GReddy Turbo Oil Pan
http://i1120.photobucket.com/albums/...n/IMG_3911.jpg

Awesome man thanks again. :tup:

Wind Zero, taking your advice to heart. Made my fender vent this last weekend. Got on the GTM site and saw a phot and that that is where they show the oil cooler mounted. I will pull the fender liner this week and put in the vent. Next is ordering the fan and parts. Your instructions are invaluable. Many Reps to you for this.

Hey guys.. question for anyone who bought that temperature control switch.. it says on at 180 and off at 165.. Doesn't that seem a little low? It seems to me that the fan would switch on and never turn off.. or if it goes down to 165 that seems like it would do more harm than good.. Has anyone used anything else? Like maybe a surface mounted temperature switch mounted to the oil cooler itself?

The fan does turn on @190 it says 180 but it's not,and the engine is still transferring heat so that's not a problem the fans turn off when you shut the car off.

Would it be better to have a spacer between fan and cooler so the heat doest omitt onto the fan housing causing more heat and a buffer zone of air around cooler if the fan ever goes out..???

Just a short update and updated the original post with some more information and pictures.

I ordered the 7.5" fan from SPAL and it fits great with the oil cooler. I know it's just an inch larger (that's what she said) but the more air flow over that cooler the better.

Original post updated with some more pictures.

Like this,

http://www.the370z.com/members/baer3...ger-cooler.jpg