The Euro filter housing has ports for the delivery and return lines of the oil cooler found on the European spec M3. And the internal pathways of the filter housing are designed for the oil to flow out of the housing, into the cooler, and then back to the housing to pass through the filter. Also the Euro housing has an integrated thermostat to bypass the cooler at lower temps (who needs cold oil when the engine is cold?). The US housing is not setup for any of this as the oil just runs straight into the filter and onto the engine. For these reasons, the European E36 M3 coil filter housing is ideal for just about ANY oil cooler application. This is the same housing as used in our Stage I, Stage II, and Stage III oil cooler kits.

What does TMS do to the E36 M3 Euro Oil Filter housing?
The Euro E36 M3 cars use a different VANOS system and the VANOS oil line is a different size. The banjo bolt on the US car is M14x1.5 thread and the housing is drilled and tapped using a jig on a machine – not by hand – so the outside surface of the flange is smooth and flat to prevent leaks. This allows this filter housing to be used on US spec M3's, as well as any non-M E36 6 cylinder BMW.

Using this to install an oil cooler? Be sure to consult us. We have complete packaged solutions for street, track and race applications and highly recommend asking our experts.