CSF BMW E30 Group A / DTM Race Style Oil Cooler

The CSF BMW E30 Group A / DTM Race Style Oil Cooler (#8218) represents a pinnacle in automotive cooling technology, meticulously engineered to meet the rigorous demands of both racing and high-performance street applications. Drawing inspiration from the legendary Group A E30 M3, a vehicle that dominated Touring Car and DTM racing in the late 1980s, this oil cooler embodies the perfect fusion of heritage and modern innovation. BMW’s original engineers faced the challenge of enhancing the oil cooler to handle the increased thermal loads generated by the race-spec engines. Their solution was a cooler approximately 50% larger than the factory standard, yet designed to fit seamlessly using existing mounting points and connectors. CSF has faithfully replicated this race-proven design, augmenting it with contemporary advancements to deliver superior cooling efficiency and durability. For enthusiasts and professionals seeking to upgrade their E30’s oil cooling system, the CSF #8218 offers an authentic Group A M3 specification fitment without the need for custom fabrication. This ensures a direct replacement that maintains the vehicle’s original aesthetic and functional integrity. Product Details Why Upgrade? While the original engineering of the E30’s cooling system was exemplary for its era, the demands of modern driving conditions and track use reveal its limitations. The factory oil cooler, adequate for everyday and moderately spirited driving, often struggles to maintain optimal oil temperatures during aggressive driving or extended track sessions. Moreover, given the age of these vehicles, many factory components exhibit wear, corrosion, and clogging, diminishing their effectiveness. Used and weathered coolers with damaged fins and clogged passages cannot match the performance of a new, purpose-built unit. The traditional tube and fin design inherent to the original coolers lacks the robustness and thermal efficiency offered by modern bar and plate configurations. CSF’s solution respects the classic design ethos, ensuring that the E30 Group A / DTM Oil Cooler fits precisely into the factory location without requiring custom mounts. This product combines enhanced cooling capacity with advanced manufacturing techniques, all at a cost-effective price point compared to genuine OEM replacements. Design & Engineering The CSF #8218 oil cooler is engineered with a focus on maximizing performance and longevity. Employing a rugged bar and plate core design, it surpasses the durability of traditional tube and fin coolers. The innovative “Aero-Flow” bar design reduces weight while maintaining structural integrity and optimizing airflow. High-density turbulated multi-louvered fins within the core promote turbulent airflow, significantly improving heat dissipation rates. This turbulation effect enhances the heat exchange efficiency, ensuring the oil remains within optimal operating temperatures even under extreme conditions. BMW OE 17211719179 CSF #8218 (Group A / DTM Style) CSF #8092 (OEM+/Performance Style) Feature OEM CSF Cooling Tubes 5 7 Core Type Tube & Fin “Aero-Flow” Bar & Plate End Tank Stamped Aluminum Cast Aluminum Design/Construction Stamped AluminumBrazed w/ Gasket 100% TIG WeldedCast Aluminum End Tanks With an approximate 50% increase in size over the factory cooler, the CSF #8218 significantly enhances both fluid capacity and core surface area. Constructed entirely from high-grade aluminum, this cooler offers exceptional thermal conductivity and corrosion resistance. The satin black powder coat finish not only provides additional protection against environmental elements but also maintains an OEM-appropriate appearance behind the E30’s grille. Race Proven Tim Hardy Racing – Turbo M52 E30 CSF’s commitment to performance is exemplified by the real-world testing of the #8218 oil cooler in demanding race environments. Tim Hardy Racing’s 1987 BMW E30, equipped with a turbocharged M52 engine producing approximately 700 horsepower, utilized a prototype CSF oil cooler during the 2022 P