Featured Products - Series 04: HPI EVOLVE Oil Cooler Kit Series

Have you ever experienced engine power loss or difficulty shigting while pushing hard on the circuit? One of the major causes is a rise in oil temperature.

For the 4th installment of our Product Deep Dive Series, PROTO- our cool, composed true craftman and HPI development/manufacturing specialist-takes a close look at the 'HPI EVOLVE Oil Cooler Series'!! We'll dig deep into everything from engine protection mechanisms to Tsukuba Circuit test data and the secrets behind official race-certified parts.

HPI Evolve Performance Oil Cooler – Engineered for maximum cooling efficiency, featuring micro-pitch fins technology for track and street performance.

PROTO: Hey everyone, it's PROTO ;). In our previous JOURNAL entries, we introduced performance radiators, racing harnesses, and cooling vests. But when you're driving at the limit on the circuit, water temp measures alone jus aren't enough. Today, we're doing a deep dive into oil coolers to uncover how HPI keeps engines and drivetrains cool!

Why Do You Need an Oil Cooler? ~The Secret to Cooling with Minimized Pressure Loss

When engine oil exceeds its optimal temperature, its viscosity drops, leading to decreased oil pressure, engine wear, and in the worst case, engine seizure.

However, simply adding an oil cooler isn't enough. Depending on the core's internal structure, oil flow can become restricted, causing a drop in oil pressure (pressure loss) instead.

・PROTO's Discovery 1: The Power of Offset Inner Fins

When I looked inside HPI's core, I found some amazing engineering! HPI's proprietary 'Offset Inner Fins' are built right into the core tubes. This achieves high cooling efficiency while maintaining low pressure loss (minimal pressure drop).

It keeps oil pressure solid while cooling, making it super gentle on the engine.

A meticulously detailed engine bay featuring a large front-mount intercooler, a prominent conical air filter, and custom teal and blue paintwork on the chassis and valve cover.

Smart Temperature Control (Built-in Thermostat)

HPI's sandwich block attachment features a built-in thermostat (fully opens at 82°C (180°F)).

It automatically prevents over-cooling during street driving and winter conditions, maintaining optimal oil temperature year-round.

An assembly of HPI oil cooler components, featuring a polished sandwich block with an integrated thermostat, AN fittings, center bolt, springs, and plugs.

[TUKUBA CIRCUIT Test Data: THe S660 Trial]

To prove the performance of HPI's side-tank oil cooler (W4 core), a 10-lap continuous full-throttle test was conducted using a Honda S660 at Tsukuba Circuit in an ambient tenperature of 29°C (84°F).

An official product and test data sheet for HPI EVOLVE Oil Coolers. It highlights track-proven results on a Honda S660 at Tsukuba Circuit (comparing HPI, competitor, and OEM oil temperatures), core size specifications from W1 to W7, thermography cooling efficiency, and the complete product lineup.

[Tsukuba Circuit 10-Lap Oil Temperature Comparison]

・Stock Condition: Temperatures rose steadily with each lap, hitting a dangerous 133°C (271°F) by lap 10.

・Competitor's Oil Cooler: Reached 125°C (257°F) by lap 10.

・HPI EVOLVE (W4): Temperature stabilized right after track-in, holding a steady 115°C (239°F) all the way to the final lap!

PROTO: For a mini-car like the S660 to stabilize at 115°C (239°F)-which is 18°C (64°F) lower than stock-is incredible! That 18°C (64°F) difference is the dividing line between driving home safely or destroying your engine.

Two Core Types to Match Your Driving Style: HPI offers two core types tailored to vehicle layouts and intended uses.

△ Doron Cup Type: The class lightweight champion (only 0.94kg for a 10-row core), offering a compact and highly durable all-rounder model.

△ EVOLVE Side Tank Type: A high-performance model pushing large capacity and low pressure loss to the limit, utilizing asymmetric ports and special fins for smooth oil flow.

PROTO's Discovery 2: Vehicle-Specific Desigh That Doesn't Block Water Temp

On cars like the Z33, Z34, and RZ34, the side-tank core is mounted horizontally, combined with dedicated air ducting and underpanels.

Because placing the oil cooler doesn't block air flow to the radiator, it efficiently cools water temperature at the same time as oil temperature!

Beyond the Engine: Proven Track Record as a TOYOTA GAZOO Racing GR86,

BRZ Cup Designated Part

It's not just engine oil that faces harsh conditions on the circuit. Transmission and differential oils also get extremely hot, causing gear noice, gear pop-outs, and LSD silp. HPI's tansmission and differential oil cooler kits are adopted as official designated parts

(certified by T.R.A.) for the pinnacle of one-make races, the 'TOYOTA GAZOO Racing GR86/BRZ Cup.'

・Trochoid Oil Pump: Delivers a powerful 4,000cc/min discharge rate to circulate high-viscosity gear oil efficiently.

・Filter with Built-in Powerful Magnet: Captures gear wear debris (iron powder) with a strong magnet, and the unit is fully disassemblable for cleaning.

・Race-Proven Reliability: Prevents drivetrain trouble during intense sprit races featuring aggressive shifting.

GR86/BRZ Cup Certified Parts

PROTO, the HPI mascot, showcases the EVOLVE oil cooler in a performance garage. The background features lineup of sports cars including the GR86 and Nissan Z, highlighting HPI's dedication to cooling performance for diverse track vehicles.

▫️Circuit User Feedback ~ Thank you for your valuable insights!

👤 During summer time-attacks at Tsukuba, my oil temp would easily exceed 120°C (248°F) by lap 3, causing power loss. Ever since switching to HPI's oil cooler, the oil temp stays completely stable, and I can finally push with total confidence!

👤 I had a bad experience in the past where an aftermarket oil cooler caused a drop in oil pressure. While cooling is a given, I wanted something that successfully combined 'low pressure loss' with 'consideration for water temperature,' and this is the ideal choice.

👤 Since I also drive on the street, I was worried about over-cooling in the winter. But with a built-in thermostat handling thermal management automatically, I can head out to attack the circuit with peace of mind no matter the season.

👤 Pushing an 86 hard on the circuit has a surprisingly huge negative impact on oil temp... Every time I wanted to run consecutive laps, I'd see the oil temp gauge peg to the right and be forced to limp back to the pits in frustration. This kind of stability is an absolute lifesaver.

PROTO: From weekend track ay enthusiasts to drivers competing in serious races like the GR86/BRZ Cup, keeping oil at the optimal temperature is the ultimate key to unlocking your machine's performance and longevity. That's it for this time! I'll put my all into gathering data for the next feature. Thanks a ton for reading all the way through—see you in the next article❤️‍🔥

Check out the product page for details on vehicle-specific kits and universal sizes!

An overview of the HPI EVOLVE Oil Cooler's features, showcased by PROTO. Highlights include the integrated thermostat, original fin technology for maximum cooling, AN fittings, and proven S660 track test results.

Have any questions or interested in wholesale opportunities? Feel free to reach out via our Contact Page.