156 V6 air con removal

Originally Posted by Pud237

£200 isn't excessive really, I'm definitely going to keep the car for a while and will be spending quite a bit more on it just bringing other things up to scratch. Better brakes, binning the coilovers, new front bumper...

And a NOS kit maybe?

What's wrong with the coilovers?

Originally Posted by Chris155

What's wrong with the coilovers?

They're too low and too harsh for my liking, and they've long since stopped being adjustable. The threads are all corroded, I'd rather just get rid and raise the car a little on Eibach Pro Kit lowering springs and fit some good dampers, Koni FSDs probably after driving Ned's 2.5 V6..

I know you have the FKs as well, but maybe yours is better set-up than mine.

OK if you are sure that you want to fit the cooler then here's what I have done.

I bought all Mocal parts from this company and will put the list of parts at the end.

eBay UK Shop - Matt Lewis Racing: Oil cooler kits parts, Motorsport equipment, Fuel system - injection

I've used 5/8" rubber hose for the complete installation and this is one of my biggest concerns about what I've done - you can see from Chris's pics that there is very little room between the GTA oil cooler steel pipes and the exhaust. What I have done is to fit larger hose over the rubber hoses to give extra protection - I was planning to fit corrugated metal insulation or protection plate to keep the hoses safe from the exhaust heat but havent done it yet.

I bought a side take off plate instead of the normal take off plate and one with M20x1.5 thread to replace the oil filter. I needed this due to the very very limited space in the 156 where the original oil filter is located.

I ran the hoses from the take off to under the wheel arch to the oil cooler and remote filter. I also fitted a take off plate for the oil temp and oil pressure. I used a narrow cooler to fit under the wheel arch but you should be able to use a normal length one if you are fitting it in the front of the car and this will keep it away from the power steering coiled cooler which you can just see behind the oil cooler. I have since fitted a guard behind the cooler to direct the hot air away from the steering cooler.

Something to note is that the remote filter kit only comes with ¾” oil filter thread and I used a K&N Gold Oil filter – I checked its specs against a standard Alfa one and they are very similar.

I didnt use a thermostat because I'm still using the existing oil / water cooler so this would keep the oil temp at the correct level but I wanted some extra cooling if required if / when I can use the car on the track.

Parts required - if buying separately - a kit would already include some of this – I think I ordered a Remote filter kit for something like the Cosworth which has the 5/8" bsp connections. I requested a side take off plate instead of the normal one and one with M20x1.5 thread

16 row 135mm Oil Cooler – 5/8” bsp connections
5/8” 90deg pipe unions x 2

Take Off Plate M20x1.5mm (I used side take off) – 5/8” connections
Straight 5/8” pipe unions x 2

Remote filter with 3/4" thread – 5/8” connections
5/8” 90deg pipe unions x 2

5/8” hose – 3 meters

Hose clips

Oil Temp / Oil Pressure take off plate with 3/4" thread - not from Mocal

Oil Filter – K&N Gold (HP-1002) with 3/4" unc thread

Thermostat – I didn’t fit one but would probably need 2 pipe unions too.

BTW in the previous picture the bigger cooler is actually the gearbox cooler

Cheers mate, I'm going to get onto Mocal in the morning

These are the parts I used for reference. Also note that you could use steel braided hose for added protection.

I believe you can also get the remote filter head taped to take a gauge sender - easier than fitting a gauge take off plate

Hope this helps

Have just got in touch with a firm called Think Automotive, who are licensed to produce and distribute Mocal branded products in the UK. I've given them the above list which they are going to look over for me, and work me out a price. I'm not bothering with an oil temp and pressure take off plate but I have asked to see if they do a remote filter head which has the ability to take a sender unit for an oil temp gauge.

Pascs - I assume this means you need to add more oil than previously, to ensure the pressure in the system stays the same?

Yes you'd need more oil - I'm not sure how much extra, maybe 1/2 litre depends on the length and size of hoses and the size of the cooler.

Of course Pud you still only fill ti the same marks on the dipstick
Pascs, do you have to bleed the system after installation/oil changes?

No need to bleed the system after you change the oil. I'm not 100% certain that all the oil drains out when changing the oil although the oil continues to look clean for at least the first few days.