IRP Billet Oil Cooler

Home

IRP Billet Oil Cooler

Good enough that it ought to be stock.

by Martin Hackworth

Photos: Martin Hackworth, IRP

Courtesy of IRP

Tucked in securely behind the skid plate, the IRP unit increases capacity by 100 milliliters and cools the oil by a claimed 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

In our long-term quest to cool our hot-running CRF450X, we've tried several common mods aimed at achieving lower engine temperatures, especially at trail speeds. It's carbureted rich, has a Boyesen Supercooler water pump impeller and a left side Fluidyne Radiator. Because the CRF also has low stock oil capacity, we've run a Jagg oil cooler from day one to increase oil capacity and decrease oil temperature. The Jagg unit is no longer available, so when it became necessary to look around for a replacement we settled on an IRP billet oil cooler. So far we are glad that we did.

The IRP unit replaces the stock oil filter cover and bolts, in its place, directly to the left side of the engine. If you can perform an oil change, you can install this unit. There is no external plumbing to route and nothing to assemble. The IRP unit increases oil capacity from around 700 to 800 milliliters - a little on the low end for external coolers, but still significant. On the 450x, the IRP sits nicely behind an Acerbis skid plate safely out of the way. The only clearance issue I encountered was that the fins on the top leading edge of the unit contacted the rear of the thicker than stock Fluidyne radiator. I fixed this with an extra strip of aluminum tacked to the back of the radiator.

In six months of hard use, including a Tour of Idaho, the IRP unit has performed admirably. Though it looks somewhat vulnerable to a left side hit, mine has taken more than it's fair share of abuse without any damage. It's a stout hunk of metal that tucks in securely behind most skid plates. I never worry about it. The performance has been flawless.

Though the added oil capacity is less than that of the Jagg, the IRP unit is much more effective at cooling. The location is good for airflow, and the lack of external plumbing wrapped around a hot engine is a great benefit in keeping temperatures down. We did not have the time to test the IRP by itself, but I can report that the IRP, at least in conjunction with a Trail Tech Cooling Fan, works wonders at controlling engine temperatures on the CRF450X.

At $329 MSRP (I found one for less at a dealer), the IRP is a significant investment. But quality is rarely cheap. I like this unit and recommend it for anyone looking for extended oil capacity and/or cooling.

IRP Billet Oil Cooler

$329.00 from IRP

The Good: Increases oil capacity by 100 milliters.
The Rad: Actually effective at oil cooling.
The Gnarly: Harder to stay warm when sleeping under your bike.

More Reviews

IRP Website

Reader Forum

Home