OilCooler

Update: Check out this awesome video of our track testing for this oil cooler!

What more could a company filled with automotive enthusiasts want than a track day as a workday?! If it were up to me, I would start building our offices adjacent to my favorite tracks and have every meeting in the infield, because I can't think of a more excellent way to spend the day.

I have to begin by thanking you all for collectively pushing for track data. While the type of testing we normally conduct is sufficient for learning how well our products perform under most conditions, nothing instills confidence at the track like pushing your creation to the ragged edge. Because, after all is said and done, that is where it counts. I am no stranger to racing of all sorts, and I can't think of anything more frustrating than working all week, or month even, just to break down at the track.

For proof, here is a picture of my pride and joy that only made it to the pit entrance before exploding a power steering pump

High oil temperatures can shut down a track day faster than you can scream your favorite four-letter word. Unfortunately, high oil temps are already sidelining RS owners at the track. Not to worry, Team Mishi is on it!  In our last post, we took a look at the stock cooler and our plans to create a larger one. Now it's time to construct and test our prototype.

Prototype Focus RS oil cooler bracket

Prototype Focus RS oil cooler bracket

We began with constructing our prototype bracket for fitment testing. After cutting the bracket on our waterjet, we tack-welded it together and bolted up our cooler to take a better look at fitment. We will be using one of our larger bar-and-plate coolers designed for our Mustang GT oil cooler project for the RS oil cooler kit.

Prototype Focus RS oil cooler bracket

Prototype Focus RS oil cooler bracket

Prototype Focus RS oil cooler bracket

You may have noticed the scoop on our prototype above, or in our render from our previous post. When designing the bracket,

While we plan to create an entire line of cooling products for the RS, some require more immediate attention than others. The oil cooler is shaping up to be one of these items. With a stock cooler that's less than adequate, and oil temps on track days that could make Chuck Norris sweat, we have a problem brewing.

Stock System

The stock oil cooler is a liquid-to-liquid heat exchanger and therefore relies on the radiator to cool the oil, as well as the coolant. This style of oil cooler also acts as an oil warmer, bringing the oil to operating temperature, which is beneficial for colder climates. I know with the heat wave that is currently engulfing a large portion of the country, not many of us are concerned with the oil reaching temperature; but in the dead of winter, it can certainly be helpful.

Stock Focus RS oil cooler

As you can see below, coolant is supplied via the two lines connected to the right side of the cooler. Of course with every liquid-to-liquid cooler pro, there is a con.

Here at Mishimoto headquarters we are working to expand our arsenal of Mustang parts. We are making significant progress on our oil cooler design, and an interesting design it is. We are aware that many Mustang GT owners are adding forced induction to their already powerful V8s. We are taking this into account by offering an oil cooler that would still leave room for some of the larger intercoolers required for aftermarket turbo and supercharger kits. This strategy created quite a challenge for our engineers. As always, they rose to the occasion and created a brand new and unique cooler design specifically for our beloved GT. Drumroll please!

Rather than designing a traditional bracket for this all-new oil cooler, our engineers went with an interesting design. Modeling the bracket after one of the plastic upper air diverters, the new bracket will replace the diverter as the bracket for the cooler. Because a picture really is worth a thousand words, check out some photos of the first oil