Beat the Heat Pt.1 (Cooling Upgrades for the FK8) oil cooler

With spring 2020 just getting underway, the team here at 27WON still has lots to accomplish this year. One of our goals is to compete in more Time Attack events this season. We got our feet wet in a few races last year with the SI and this year we are planning to double our efforts by competing in more events. We want to get to as many VTEC Club events this season as we can.

From THE HPDE and track testing we have done so far with our TYPE R, we (like many others) have found that engine heat management is a big issue on these new Civics. While they pack a punch, handle great, and deliver awesome power you can only get so much of that kick before the car starts to LOSE lots of power in an effort TO keep things cool, Or even worsE, the car enters limp mode and basically nullifies your current lap!

honda performance oil cooler.JPG

Knowing that maintaining cool temperatures and regulating heat is of utmost importance we are looking to make some improvements. We are looking to add an engine oil cooler, our upgraded performance intercooler, and a few other items to help beat the heat and keep our K20C1 engine happy and strong.

For part 1 of BEAT THE HEAT, we turn to our friends at SiriMoto for an engine oil cooler kit. If you follow along with our OTHER project cars then you might RECALL that we have a Sirimoto oil cooler kit on our SI as well. It’s the great success we’VE had with that kit that HAD US WANTING the same great kit for our 2018 Type R.

Type R Oil cooler install how to (10).JPG

PART BREAKDOWN

Manufacture: SiriMoto

Part #: SiriMoto Oil Cooler Kit for FK8

Components: Heat Exchanger, Pre-assembled -10 AN Oil Lines, Oil Filter Pedestal, Hardware, Mounting Brackets, Install instructions

Specs:

  • 19 Row Oil Cooler with Dimensions of 285x150x50 mm optimally placed behind the grill for best airflow through the core

  • -10 AN Fittings for minimal restriction and ease of install

  • Powder-coated mounting brackets with aluminum baysaver washers and stainless steel bolts

  • All hardware supplied, including blue Loctite, Allen key, and -10 AN wrench

Just like our SI kit this install was smooth as butter

Everything we needed was in the box and arrived at our doorstep with no issues whatsoever. All the machined aluminum pieces where done very well. We really appreciate that they etch “in” and “out” on all the pieces. These etches along with the fact that they label the end of the oil cooler lines really help ensure a correct install.

The construction of the -10AN lines is sturdy and well done with the fittings on the ends. These guys even wrap some extra electrical tape on key areas of the lines to make sure there is no damage from rubbing on the A/C lines. We really like their relocation of the OEM Honda oil filter. The bracket and takeoff they designed make it so that the oil filter is now perpendicular to the ground which we like because it means no oil to clean up off of the oil pan when we do a service.

All in all this kit was great and even a slight improvement over our SI kit as they improved the install and there was nothing to drastically cut or modify outside of 2 plastic pieces (which was very easy and can be done with a pair of snips or razor blade).

We are pretty impressed with this kit and have no doubt that it will perform on the track and help keep temps under control.

We’ll be back with comments after Round 1 of VTEC club in a few weeks.

Be sure and watch out for part 2 of Beat the Heat for our FMIC install.

27WON PRO TIP:

Oil cooler install is a perfect time for an oil change. We opted for Eneos 0W-20 racing street for our FK8 for its OEM weight characteristics. This oil won’t rob us of power like a thicker weight oil but it adds durability for our time on the track. For more oil tips be sure and check out our blog here.

Civic Type R-18Vlad@27WON27WON PerformanceComment