TAKA oil cooler/filter relocation review and questions.

[austins240]

Ok so I was unable to locate anyone posting about this kit. This is the kit from Optionimports, it's the TAKA oil cooler with filter relocation (S13 SR20).

After looking into it, I think you could source/build the kit cheaper as the block adapter and remote filter blocks are cheap and easily sourced. Also, the cooler itself is a Setrab and the fittings/lines are Earls. Only thing that makes it TAKA is...dunno but w/e. That's not the point of the thread, just general info.

Also good to add is that this kit will add approx 0.5 quarts more capacity to your system and prolong oil life.

As far as fitment, decent. There were absolutely no instructions or reccomendations on install. Great kit for those DIY'ers that like to modify new parts...... No brackets for S-chassis or in what order to connect the hoses (flow direction). I chose to mount my cooler core under the battery tray to maximize airflow while reducing heat transfer to the IC/rad. The cooler core itself is a little to long so mounting at an angle is a must and only simple brackets were needed to be made. Cold pipe is obstructing so don't reccomend this location unless you have ablity to make really nice brackets and modify your bumper.

The other problem with mounting it here, the two lines that are supplied (3 total) have different angled fittings. One is a 90*, the other a 45* (or so). Unknown reasoning, even if mounting behind IC i don't see a need for different angles.

Questions:The block adapter/filter mount have small arrows showing flow direction (found after installing kit ><). I'm running this way Block->filter->cooler->Block. Is this the reccomended flow direction?

Next q. My lines leak like crazy. I've tightened them all and they still leak enough to leave a few drops on my garage floor every night. This may be due to fully synthetic oil but i doubt it. They are NOT the O-ring fittings. I'm planning on maybe using teflon tape on all of the threads, is this normal? again, no install procedures included what-so-ever so this could help explain the almost half price of the S-chassis based kits. I removed the entire kit last night due to this issue alone.

i would like to get pics up but my wife dropped my camera ><

long post, cliffnotescheap kit but workslots of DIY ingenuitylines are leaking (why?)

Thanks for your time.

[IanS]

if the lines are leaking you may need to teflon tape the fittings.

[garagelu]

i was considering buying the taka filter relocation but i didnt see any tap in for oil temp on the filter block. Does your taka kit have that?

[austins240]

nope, yet another draw back.. but it seems pretty beefy and i'm sure any competant machine shop could drill/tap based on your sensor.

that's what i plan to do as it will keep from having to buy a special adapter for "x" gauge sensor to work.

or you could use a sandwitch adapter but that seems pretty ghetto.