Hey everyone-

Well, I just got done installing my turbo coolant lines. I grabbed the coolant supply before it enters the oil cooler sandwich plate, routed it into the turbo using -8AN lines/fittings (reduced to -4AN at the turbo). I returned the coolant to the oil cooler sandwich coolant intake.
I used these sources, as the line exiting the oil cooler and running around the corner of he block is to close to my header to make the turn.

I don't anticipate any heat issues until I break 400-450rwhp. Then a new oil cooler will be installed.

I was just wondering if anyone else has used this thick of a line for the coolant supply/drain for the turbo... It was a PITA to route anything, but I really did not want to reduce the line diameter (effectively reducing coolant flow to the oil cooler).

Pics to come. All steel braided now. And that stuff will CUT YOU UP. I made my sacrifice to the car gods for the week...

*updated with pics*
I pulled the coolant supply to the turbo from the line that normally supplies the oil cooler sandwich (RIGHT above the OEM oil filter/cooler location.... you can see the OEM line going over the oil filter and entering the top nipple of the oil cooler). Its the line with the screw clamp on it (I re-did all the spring clamps with screw types, as they grab the steel braids better). The 1/4" line in the pic is my oil supply line, coming from the OPS T-fitting.


Earl's 12mm--> -4AN fitting for the turbo coolant lint (with inverted flare for flow restriction, so it does not kill the seals). Brass -4AN --> -8AN (again, flare is inverted, so the flow does not just "stop" at the Earl's fitting, its stepped down). Brass 90* -8AN elbow. This combination was used for the supply and the drain sides (perfect sizing to clear the housings, too).


Supply line coming up under the downpipe to the 90* elbow on the supply side (yes, its pointed down @ 45*... its just the angle of the pic that makes it look flat)


Drain line making a 90* turn over the manifold (its got a good 1" clearance between fitting and the manifold, and the manifold is ceramic coated...). The line is returning to the top coolant nipple on the oil cooler sandwich (supply for the oil cooler... need to keep the flow straight through the cooler). Again, screw clamped down (NONE of these lines are popping off! )



The middle steel line in the pic is the coolant supply where it exits the oil cooler, and runs up around the corner of the block, and up into the head area. This line is within 1/2" of the header on my kit. I have not seen any issues with the OEM line, but being OCD like I am, and because I already had the coolant drained out (plus a little extra steel braided line), I decided to just swap it out. Just a little extra piece of mind for those long road trips.


So far, no leaks, no nothing. Coolant temperatures are normal (182ish when cruising, and 190-195 when in bumper-bumper traffic). The radiator fans kick in at the right temperature, and they are still able to cool the h20 temp down, even when not moving (cooling capacity is still there, even though the turbo has been inserted into the coolant loop, with the return not running directly to a radiator supply line).

Lemme know if anyone wants any other pics.

John

 

Can you point me in the right direction for these lines?... I need some myself.

 

I got them from a local distributor (CarQuest). The local shop has a hose/fitting specific operation here in FL.

I will post pics of how/where I routed the lines. the search turned back remarkably few results of pics where people tapped the system.. a lot of talk/confirmation of where/how to tap, but no pictures.

I will post a DIY in the first post of this thread sometime this week..

John

 

*updated with pics*

John