DIY GTM Supercharger Oil Cooler Fan Mount for additional air flow

wind.zero

This applies to the oil cooler supplement for the GTM Supercharger kit where the oil cooler is mounted in the driver side of the front bumper. This does NOT apply to those who are not FI'ed and have their oil cooler mounted in front of the radiator. This DIY is for those who have a FMIC and had to put their oil cooler in a less than desirable mounting location.

This DIY adds a fan to force additional air flow over the oil cooler. I had already vented the fender liner so the hot air can escape. Since I installed a louvered section, the exiting air is forced downward rather than directly towards the tire. GTM also sells a vented fender lining as well, but it does not fit the NISMO version unless they have started selling a NISMO version. EDIT GTM does have a NISMO version, you just request it in the notes on the order.

As with all DIY installs, you are responsible for your own work. This one is not that hard but does involve wiring and the battery. I am not responsible for damage to yourself or your vehicle. As with everything, there are multiple ways of accomplishing the same goal. This is just how I installed mine and is just a rough DIY.

Parts Required

• (1) SPAL VA22-AP11/C-50S * 6.5"S/12V 6.5" Straight Blade Low Profile Fan / 12V Pusher ($85.74)
  EDIT Verified that the 7.5" (1" larger than original fan) will install just fine as well)VA14-AP7/C-34S * 7.5"S/12V
  7.5" Straight Blade Low Profile Fan / 12V Pusher
• (1) SPAL Fan Relay Harness Kit ($43.05)
• (4) Fan Cushion Bracket ($0.95)
• (1) Rocker Switch Full Size ¼” Tabs

Recommended Misc:
Fan mounting brackets and fan strap kit
Fan control temperature switch rather than a rocker switch
Flex nylon wire loom
Various size heat shrink tubing / heat gun

Wiring for the relay (4 wires)

1. Yellow – Fused connection to battery
2. Orange – Ignition source
3. Red – Positive to fan
4. Grey – Either to temperature sensor OR to switch (I used a switch)

Wiring for Fan (2 wires)

1. Red – From the relay
2. Black – Ground

Wiring for the Rocker Switch (2 wires)

1. Grey – From the relay
2. Ground

I was too lazy to remove the front bumper, but it would have been much easier with that piece out of the way. I was able to get my fan mounted by just removing the fender lining and the engine undertray. Since I have the ZSpeed part, I only had to remove the driver side for full access. However, it took a bunch of fiddling to get the fan mounted. In retrospect, I should have just pulled the bumper off.

Short directions
Jack up the car and put on jack stands
Remove the driver side wheel, fender lining, and engine undertray
Remove the front bumper. I did not but would have given me a lot more room to work.
Mount the fan using your choice of brackets
Find a good spot and mount the relay
Wire up the relay including a rocker switch or temperature switch
Test the fan control

Pictures
Picture of the SPAL 6.5" fan


Or you can use the 7.5" version. Comparison of 6.5" and 7.5"


This is the front of the oil cooler and mount spot


EDIT
I replaced my original 6.5" with the 7.5" version


This is the back of the oil cooler


Picture for the relay and wire colors


Photo from Zat_Zuma shows how the fan looks mounted. I could not get a picture because I did not remove the bumper.


Picture showing the rocker switch


Photo of my vented fender lining, here is my DIY on that mod. You can also buy a vented fender lining from GTM now.


Misc
I know that Baer383 used a fan switch from Summit Racing to control his fan.


I bought these pucks and they work perfectly on the Z.


I have not really had a lot driving time to rate the fan but it does push a lot of air over the cooler.

Oil cooling efforts so far:

• 25R thermostatic controlled oil cooler
• GReddy turbo oil pan
• Vented fender liner
• SPAL 6.5" fan mounted to oil cooler

Hopefully someone will find this helpful. Thanks to Zat_Zuma and Baer383 for the tips, help, and some of the pictures.

weiboy718

Great write up!

Jamaica

Good write up. I will installing mine really soon.

wind.zero

^^

Thanks weiboy718 and Jamaica

The scorched earth policy has not started yet, but it has been close to 90 with high humidity. Even with boost and playing around on the highway, I have yet to go past 220 with the fan. So far it looks like a great cooling mod.

Jamaica

You also have the oil pan which helps out. So you manually turn on the fan?

KaienZ34

Looking good love all the cooling.

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XwChriswX

Any reasoning behind having the fan placed in front of the cooler 'blocking' part of it, blowing air through vs on the backside pulling air through?

And R&D to see which is the better option?

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Bonnie - Stage 2, Audio build coming this fall!
R.I.P. Abby 3/29/10 - 3/30/14

wind.zero

Yes, it was quicker and easier for me to just wire to a switch. I have not had any problems so far. I usually turn it on at 180-190.

There is not enough room on the back side of the cooler and the fender lining to mount a puller fan. The fender lining is almost sitting directly on the oil cooler itself. If you mounted a puller fan you would have fitment issues getting the fender lining to align back up with the engine under tray.

XwChriswX

Well that sucks. I would think a puller fan might be more effective, but oh well. Excellent write up and looking forward to more results.

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Bonnie - Stage 2, Audio build coming this fall!
R.I.P. Abby 3/29/10 - 3/30/14

Baer383

You should get a switch for the pan so you won't have to turn it on.

good job anyway have a rep and a smile

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2013 ZL1

754 rwhp 747 rwtq

wind.zero

Here is a short video of the fan and fender vent:

axio

Windzero, any chance to do more testing on this and if there are good improvements versus without the fan?

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GTM Stg II SC w/ Aquamist methanol injection, GTM oil cooler, Berk HFC, Stillen CBE, BC ER coilovers, Hotchkis sways, TWM short shifter, Clutch spring mod, CarboTech XP8s

wind.zero

So far that has been the best cooling mod combined with the inner fender vent. Granted, it is not as hot this summer (yet) and air temperatures have not topped 100.

However, I have not see over 220 on the oil gauge since installing the fan.

Baer383

I have the Greddy pan,vented liner,sensor on at 190deg.,CSF rad.,Spal 6.5in fan,Uprev fan speed re set @ 192-196-205,and haven't topped 200deg oil temp and our temps here in Atlanta are 90+ so far.

__________________
2013 ZL1

754 rwhp 747 rwtq

YIPZEE

Wind Zero, Thank you for this write up. My temp is hitting 250 even when driving my GTM SC Z like a baby to work and back. I did my first oil change yesterday and when I saw where the oil cooler was mounted I spent the rest of the day pissed at the installer and thinking about how to relocate it. I also thought about venting the splash pan (sorry, engine undertray) and ducting the air up to the oil cooler. Then I thought about drilling holes in the fender liner to let air flow thru, but figured water would sling off the tire and into the cooler fins. Thank You for saving me from a bunch of costly mistakes.