CSF Engine Oil Cooler for Porsche 911 / 930 [8242]

CSF Engine Oil Cooler for Porsche 911 / 930 [8242]

After over two years of development and four rounds of prototypes, CSF proudly introduced its Porsche 911 / 930 Engine Oil Cooler at Rennsport Reunion 2023, receiving widespread acclaim. Recognizing the challenges faced by air-cooled enthusiasts with the aging oil cooler located on the engine block of the classic flat-six motor, CSF developed what many consider the most significant modern engine upgrade for the 911 in recent years. While the original design served its purpose decades ago, it has not aged well, and updates have been nonexistent, with replacement units becoming increasingly scarce. During the creation of the CSF 911, the team identified a critical need within the air-cooled community and dedicated themselves to delivering an innovative solution.

Design and Engineering

• The original Behr cooler, designed in the 1960s, shows significant signs of aging. While original units can be ultrasonically cleaned and refurbished, there is a high likelihood of leaks developing post-cleaning. The cleaning process often exacerbates issues, as it may weaken brittle materials or remove corrosion and debris that previously masked leaks. Moreover, the core isn’t the only vulnerability—OEM cast base plates that mount to the engine block can warp or develop porosity over time, preventing seals from seating properly and causing additional leaks. Even newly manufactured OE coolers from Porsche’s updated “Porsche Classic” catalog have proven unreliable, with numerous reports of leaks occurring just months after installation. These newer units appear to lack the build quality of the original Behr coolers. To address these challenges, CSF has introduced a modern OEM+ solution for this vintage design. In developing the 911 / 930 Engine Oil Cooler, CSF collaborated with the Porsche engine experts at SV Auto, whose deep expertise in classic Porsche engines and restoration was invaluable. Longtime R&D partner and CSF dealer Brian Day at Euro Parts West also played a pivotal role in refining the design.

Attention To Detail

• CSF’s objective for the 911 / 930 Oil Cooler was to reimagine the original design with a modern approach, enhancing both functionality and reliability. To achieve this, CSF dedicated extensive time to research and development. Brian Day played a key role in helping CSF engineers gain a comprehensive understanding of the 911’s oil cooling system, enabling the creation of a cooler compatible with a wide range of models. Improving the design began with a thorough analysis of the entire system. Every aspect of the cooler, from core strength to oil flow restrictions, was meticulously evaluated. Using 3D scanning of 911 / 930 engine blocks and OE coolers, CSF ensured precise fitment while identifying opportunities for improvement. Fitting and performance testing on multiple 911 / 930 engines at SV Auto provided critical data, allowing CSF to optimize the cooler’s design and performance.

New to the Core

• CSF’s 911 / 930 Oil Cooler features a modern and robust tube-and-fin core, engineered specifically for this application. The advanced core offers improved flow, reduced pressure drop, and greater durability compared to the original design. To enhance strength, CSF incorporated support bars between the tubes, increasing the burst pressure capacity to an impressive 290 psi (20 bar) without leaks. The high-performance core utilizes seven cooling tubes paired with eight rows of fins. This ultra-efficient fin design, combined with high-flow tubes, delivers approximately 10% greater efficiency than a brand-new OE unit and up to 25% better performance compared to a used unit.

Billet Base Plate

• Recognizing the base plate as a common failure point, CSF significantly upgraded this component in its 911 / 930 Oil Cooler. Replacing the original cast design, the CSF cooler features a CNC-machined billet aluminum plate, providing a perfectly flat mounting surface that is stronger and more resistant to warping over time. The base plate incorporates a unique helix design, adding strength while minimizing weight. CNC-milled O-ring recesses ensure a precise fit and seal, eliminating the risk of leaks at the connection between the engine block and the oil cooler. This attention to detail allows for confident installation, ensuring leak-free performance.

Fits 1965-1989 Models

• A key objective of the CSF 911 / 930 Engine Oil Cooler was to create a single unit compatible with both early (1965-1971) and later (1972-1989) models. While the solution appears straightforward, designing upgraded stainless steel fittings without compromising oil flow required meticulous engineering. Drawing inspiration from the CSF 911 / 930 Turbo Fender Oil Cooler, CSF developed a similarly designed “widemouth fitting.” The threaded M30 “widemouth fitting” for the 1965-1971 models maintains the optimized inner diameter (ID) of the oil pipe, ensuring maximum flow through the system. This fitting offers 50% greater flow capacity than the OEM connection. For both early and later models, the in-house machined stainless steel fittings provide superior strength and durability compared to the OEM aluminum slip-on tube (1972-1989) and threaded M30 fitting (1965-1971). Both OEM connections are known for being common sources of leaks. To ensure a leak-free installation, CSF includes two high-quality copper crush washers, offering the best possible seal for long-lasting reliability.

OEM+ Look and updates

• CSF recognizes that Porsche purists value an OEM aesthetic, even when upgrading their 911’s performance. This principle guided many of the cosmetic details of the oil cooler. The design includes a stamped “X-shaped” pattern for strength, mirroring the original, along with the OE part number positioned just below the CSF logo. The cooler features a Titanium-colored Thermal Heat Dispersion Cerakote finish, offering durability, enhanced heat dissipation, anti-corrosive properties, and a refined OEM+ appearance. Every detail was carefully considered in the cooler’s design. The curvature of the case precisely matches the original, including intricate features like the spark plug aperture, which aligns perfectly with the valve cover. The machined base plate incorporates raised mounting pads and strengthening ridges, ensuring a reliable and seamless fit while maintaining an authentic look.

CSF VS OEM Performance Testing

• CSF conducted extensive testing to compare its Oil Cooler against an OEM unit, utilizing a brand-new old-stock Behr cooler as a benchmark. This allowed for precise measurements of oil flow, pressure drop, and heat dissipation. Tests were performed in CSF’s factory wind tunnel under controlled conditions, ensuring accurate and reliable data. The results demonstrated a significant performance advantage for the CSF Oil Cooler. At equal flow rates, the CSF cooler showed approximately 8% greater heat dissipation efficiency and 6-8% lower pressure drop compared to the OEM unit. These improvements were achieved even before applying the Thermal Heat Dispersion Cerakote, which further enhances heat dissipation performance.

Features

• OEM+ high-performance recreation of the original behr oil cooler
• CNC machined mounting plate with helix design for strength and pocketed for lightweight
• Modern tube & fin core with lower pressure drop and higher heat dissipation than the original
• All OEM behr features replicated on the billet mounting plate and cooler case
• Features a modern titanium cerakote finish, enhancing heat dissipation while offering a contemporary take on the classic OEM behr design.
• Optimized ID and flow characteristics of oil pipe for maximum oil flow through the vehicle’s oil system
• Stainless steel fittings for late model slip-on style and early threaded style with upgraded M30 “widemouth” design for improved flow
• Complete drop-in fit, absolutely no modifications to install.
• 10 year warranty

Applications

• Porsche 911: (1965-1971) – 2.0L H6, 2.2L H6
• Porsche 930: (1972-1989) – 3.0L Turbo H6

About CSF

Back in 1947, a father and his three sons embarked on a business venture by setting up a small retail shop dealing in automotive parts. The family business blossomed over the years, evolving into an automotive garage specializing in radiator repair, and later, a radiator manufacturing facility. By 1975, the family-owned brand CSF was established, marking a milestone as the first to introduce import applications into the American automotive aftermarket, in line with the influx of Honda, Datsun, and Toyota vehicles. By 2009, the fourth generation of the CSF family joined the business, which had by then become a leading name in the import and domestic radiator and condenser markets, selling over 650,000 units that year despite an economic recession, and totaling over 35 million units to date. CSF’s portfolio expanded to include a diverse range of cooling systems, including commercial trucks, industrial and agricultural applications, marine coolers, intercoolers, pressure caps, and a pioneering Racing & High Performance Division. Today, CSF’s Racing & High Performance Division is renowned for designing and manufacturing advanced, efficient, and reliable cooling systems for a wide array of applications, from high performance all-aluminum direct-fit radiators to custom systems for racecars, power sports, off-road, marine, and industrial use. With over 50 years of experience and more than 40 million cooling systems sold worldwide, CSF has rightfully earned the industry title of “THE COOLING EXPERTS.”