Improved Racing Rear Sump Oil Cooler Adapter Install

[Stoopalini]

Just thought I'd share the details around a non-sandwich oil cooler adapter I beta-tested for Improved Racing. I installed this back in March, and have put about 1000 miles on the car, including 2 NASA race weekends. I've had no leaks and no need to retorque anything.

Improved Racing GTO Specific Oil Cooler Adapter

The kit consists of:

• Power Steering Line Relocation Bracket
• Adapter spacer
• Oil cooler adapter
• Two Viton O-rings
• Various mounting hardware
  • Two spacer retaining nuts: 10mm
  • Two adapter retaining bolts: 8mm
  • Two PS line retaining bolts: 13mm
  • Two PS Line Bracket retaining screws: large Phillips head

Preparing for Installation

1. Jack up the car and properly secure it with jack stands
2. Remove the factory skid plate
   • Four 13mm bolts
3. Remove the oil filter
   • Be sure to position an oil catch pan under the filter. Roughly 1 qt of fluid will drain by removing just the oil filter
4. Identify the PS line retaining bolts and the oil cover retaining nuts
   
   
5. Remove the PS line retaining bolts
   • 13mm socket
6. Remove the oil cover retaining nuts
   • 10mm wrench
7. Remove the factory oil port cover
   
   
8. Be sure to remove the factory oil cover gasket as well

You can see the gasket in this pic. I neglected to remove it during my install, as it appeared to be part of the casting, so you'll see it in the rest of the pictures. Just make sure you remove it here and save yourself the headache



Here's the factory oil cover, gasket and 10mm retaining nuts

 
Installing the Spacer and Adapter

The spacer installs onto the engine and is retained by two 10mm nuts. The adapter then installs over the spacer and is retained by two 8mm bolts.

1. Locate the spacer and the two 10mm retaining nuts
   
   
2. Note the orientation of the spacer. When installed properly, the rounded edges will be towards the top, the flat edge towards the bottom, and the flat side towards the engine.
   
   Proper Adapter to Spacer Orientation
   
   
   Improper Spacer to Adapter Orientation
   
3. Install the spacer and the 10mm retaining nuts
   • When installing the retaining nuts, be sure to align a flat on each nut toward the center of the spacer. This ensures the adapter will install correctly in the later steps.

[Stoopalini]

Prepare the adapter for installation

• • Tighten the two AN fittings
  • Remove the sensor plugs and reinstall with Teflon tape for a proper seal
  • Sensor plugs are 5mm allen
  • If installing sensors, leave the appropriate sensor plug off
  
  
• Install any sensors into the adapter prior to installing the adapter
• Install the supplied O-rings into the adapter
  
• Slide the adapter over the spacer and install using the 8mm bolts. It may be required to manipulate the PS line during installation
  
  
  If the adapter will not slide into the spacer, check the orientation of the spacer’s retaining nuts to be sure they are clocked correctly: with a flat of each nut facing the center of the adapter
• Notice the clearance issue between the power steering line and the adapter’s fittings. This will be resolved in the next step, by installing the power steering line relocation bracket

Installing the Power Steering Line Relocation Bracket

1. Locate the PS line bracket and mounting hardware
   
2. Install the relocation bracket using the supplied Phillips head screws and 13mm bolts
   
3. Notice the clearance now gained between the line and the adapter’s fittings

Connect the Oil Cooler Lines

All that’s left is to connect your oil cooler lines. The recommended fittings are a 45*for the inlet and a 90* for the outlet.
Here is how the recommended fittings orient:


Connect your oil cooler lines and run them to your cooler. When the lines are connected, they will run between the skid plate and front cradle. It is recommended to protect the lines in this area.


Reinstall an oil filter and add appropriate amount of oil.


Start the motor and check for leaks.

If you neglected to remove the factory oil cover gasket, like I did, here is what you will get:


Just disassemble, remove the gasket, and reassemble.

[Stoopalini]

Lastly, reinstall the skid plate and lower the vehicle.



I used some firesleeve to protect the lines where they pass between the skidplate and cradle. The -10AN lines with the firesleeve is a tight fit, but it does fit just fine. I connected this to a Laminova heat exchanger I mounted near the driver's fender well.

This is a great product which has been performing great for 8 months. I was running a oil filter sandwich adapter before installing this, but the sandwich adapters are a pain when doing oil changes, and also required me to space the skid plate down to prevent contact between it and the oil filter.

I'm very happy to be rid of the sandwich adapter, and glad someone finally made an adapter for the front sump setup

[2QWK4RU 06 GOAT]

Looks good!