MSW E46 Non-M Oil Cooler Kit (M54, M52)
From: $824.99
The ultimate oil cooling solution for your track or race Non-M E46. Assembled with custom parts by MSW for plug-and-play fitment. Requires an S54 oil filter housing (can be selected below or provide your own.)
The MSW Oil Cooler Kit for E46 Non-M cars uses only the highest grade components and is a complete solution for your oil cooling needs. Oil coolers allow you to run the proper weight oil without worry. Great for sprint races, and nearly mandatory for endurance racing. Extend the life of your engine and improve its performance.
We’ve tried out numerous oil cooling solutions in our hunt for the best possible setup. We even have one of the last remaining and no-longer-available BMW Motorsport oil filter housing. What we’ve learned from years of racing the SpecE46 in the hot and humid South is that the S54/S50(euro) housing is the best solution for a clean and tidy package.
The MSW Oil Cooler Kit starts with a brand new S54 oil filter housing*. Then we remove the stock oil cooler thermostat and install a diverter valve to allow for full flow of oil to the cooler. We then add -10AN adapters to the housing to allow for easy installation of the cooler lines. Finally we modify the power steering pump mounting points to increase the strength of the mounting solution.
Our kit comes with already assembled Brown & Miller Racing Solutions (BMRS) PROGold Aramid brain AN hose with a high temp silicone heat sleeve over all the hoses. BMRS hoses and fittings are the top choice for pro racing teams around the world and are extremely light and durable. All lines are pressure tested before shipping and are compatible with all petroleum products.
The cooler itself uses a high quality Setrab heat exchanger with rubber isolated mounting points. You have your choice of two different sizes of coolers, depending on your needs.
Don’t worry about where to mount your power steering fluid reservoir, our kit includes a custom made bracket to locate the reservoir in the stock location. This means you use the stock power steering hoses with no modification. It also allows you to easily check and top off your steering fluid, unlike the S54’s normal location in a nearly impossible to reach spot.
Our included M12 to M14 banjo bolt is made of steel and zinc coated with a 1/8″ NPT threaded port on the end for easy addition of an oil pressure sensor. An included 1/8″ NPT plug ships with the kit if you do not need a sensor port.
Fits all E46 with M54B25, M54B30, and M52 engines.
The entire kit includes everything you need to install an oil cooler on your E46.
- S54 Oil Filter Housing w/ gasket & BMW Filter (Mahle) (If selected)
- MSW Diverter Valve (installed)**
- MSW M5X Vanos line adapter with 1/8″ NPT port
- AN adapters to S54 housing
- BMRS AN hose assemblies
- Setrab 15 row Oil Cooler
- Setrab Cooler Mount
- Setrab M22 to -10AN adapters (x2)
- MSW PS Pump Aluminum Spacers
- MSW PS Reservoir Relocation Bracket
*The housing is required for this kit, but is not automatically included since many customers wish to provide their own or source a used one. Occasionally we have used S54 oil filter housings in stock. If you’d like to save a little money by running a used but functional housing, just contact us beforehand to inquire.
**Diverter valve is included with purchase, and will be installed by MSW if you purchase an oil filter housing at the same time.
Housing made in Germany, other small components made in various European nations. Spacers, Diverter Valve, Reservoir Relocation, and Hoses made in USA. Kit assembled in USA.
While not absolutely necessary to drain all the oil prior to installation, now is a good time to start with some fresh oil.
To install the MSW Oil Cooler Kit, you must first remove the following items:
- Front Bumper
- Air Box and air box lid intake ducting
- Power Steering Reservoir (you can leave the lines connected to the pump and cooler).
- Power steering pump can be unbolted from OFH and left loose but still with the lines connected
- The alternator must be completely removed.
- Stock Oil Filter Housing (you can leave the Vanos oil line connected to the vanos.
- Remove the stock oil temp sensor from the M5x housing. (the OE oil pressure light switch will not be used.)
- Remove the stock serpentine belt pulleys and tensioner to be reused (or replace with new.)
Before moving on to installation be sure to thoroughly clean the mating surface of the oil filter housing on the block. Clean up any residual oil or debris that likes to collect in this area.
Installation:
- Install the new modified S54 housing onto your block with the supplied gasket and utilizing your original housing’s mounting bolts.
- Reinstall your alternator, idler pulley, and belt tensioner.
- Install your power steering pump using the provided spacers. Our spacers are designed with the improved LF-30 pump in mind. The two longer spacers go on the front of the oil filter housing, and the smaller spacer is sandwiched between the rear pump bracket and rear of the oil filter housing (a through hole has been already drilled in the housing to allow for this.) The bottom pan mount bracket will be unused.
- Install the oil cooler onto the front of the brace that runs between the two frame horns and is part of the core support. This is done using the four provided 3/16″ heavy duty rivets. Place a piece of wood behind the support brace while drilling to ensure you do not puncture the radiator with your drill bit. The cooler will hang from the bottom of this brace with it’s ports facing upwards. This will place the cooler in the larger bumper opening, providing maximum cooling.
- Route your -10 AN lines from the cooler through the small gap at the top right (as viewed from the front) of the radiator shroud. They will then go between the driver’s headlight and radiator over the alternator to the two -10 ports on the oil filter housing. The two provided lines are of different length and one has a straight hose end, where all the other fittings are 45 degrees. The straight hose end will go to the driver’s side port on the oil cooler. The 45 degree fitting will go to the passenger side.
- Reinstall your power steering reservoir using the included mounting bracket and two large hose clamps. One hose clamp will go around the oil filter housing, the other around the power steering reservoir. Route your power steering lines so that they are not rubbing any moving parts (this is a tight fit but not too difficult.
- Connect your Vanos line to the back of the oil filter housing using the provided banjo bolt and crush washers. There are two M12 ports on the back of the S54 housing that can be used. One for your Vanos line and one for your OEM oil temp sensor.
NOTE: The provided banjo bolt has a 1/8NPT plug loosely installed. If you plan to install an aftermarket oil pressure sensor it can be done at this port. If you choose not to, be sure to reinstall this plug with thread sealant (Loctite PST 592 recommended) and tighten down. - Reinstall your airbox and bumper.
- Prime your oil system by turning the engine over with the starter (no ignition) until you start reading positive oil pressure. Check oil level. Check power steering fluid (ATF) level. Start engine and check for leaks.
Note on AN fittings: AN fittings do not require and should not be used with any thread sealant or tape. They are tightened hand tight (but firmly). It is recommended to use a set of actual AN aluminum wrenches to prevent marring the metal. Standard imperial sized wrenches can be used if that is all that is available.
Installation photos – These are some photos of a slightly earlier version of our cooler kit, so the lines appear differently. The hose routing remains the same.
| Series | Chassis | Model | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Series | Chassis | Model | Engine |
| 3-Series | E46 | 323i/Ci | M52B25TU 2.5L I6 |
| 3-Series | E46 | 325i/Ci | M54B25 2.5L I6 |
| 3-Series | E46 | 328i/Ci | M52B28TU 2.8L I6 |
| 3-Series | E46 | 330i/Ci | M54B30 3.0L I6 |
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