BMW E6X M5/M6 Oil Cooler, 2004-2010

  1. Gourmet Muscle - 2006-2010 BMW E6X M5/M6 Performance Oil Cooler R&D, Part 2 - Prototype and Production Sample

    Gourmet Muscle - 2006-2010 BMW E6X M5/M6 Performance Oil Cooler R&D, Part 2 - Prototype and Production Sample

    Some recipes are classics for a reason. Sometimes, the complexity and skill required to complete the process make it iconic, while sometimes, simplicity is the key. When it comes to the E6X platform M5 and M6, it's a glorious fusion of both concepts combining the simple muscle car formula with a drizzle of notoriously BMW clever engineering and technology. Now though, it's time to add our own zest to this dish, specifically in terms of the oil cooler.

    Creating the fitment prototype also helps speed up our R&D process since we can lock in manufacturing tooling and start producing units much quicker. Otherwise, we would be waiting on fulling manufactured units to confirm our fitment. Instead, thanks to our master fabricator and 3D printers, we're able to generate a fitment prototype in a matter of hours.

    When we last left off, our new oil cooler was just a digital design, living in our 3D modeling software. It's time to bring that design to life, starting with our fitment prototype. We fabricated

    Continue Reading »
  2. Gourmet Muscle - Oil Cooler R&D, Part 1 - Stock Review and Design Plans

    Gourmet Muscle - Oil Cooler R&D, Part 1 - Stock Review and Design Plans

    The muscle car is a simple recipe written by Detroit in the 1960s. Start with one heaping cup of fire-breathing power plant. Add two rear wheels slinging the power to the road and a manual transmission to taste, then garnish with a sleek, sexy shell. Simple, yet effective. Like any simple recipe, though, someone always comes along with the artisan take. The result is essentially the same, but with a waft of complexity and pretension, much like the E6X M5 and M6.

    BMW isn't the first thing that comes to mind when discussing muscle cars, but the formula fits. One screaming 5.0L V10 at the front, power sent to the rear wheels, and one big grin gleaming through the tire smoke. Like their American cousins, the Deutsche Braun Bimmers need adequate cooling to perform their best. Specifically, they need to keep all 9.8 quarts of engine oil at the proper temperature.

    BMW's engineers were also keen on this need and included an oil cooler from the factory. This cooler wouldn't break a sweat keeping

    Continue Reading »