Redundancy does not hurt at all. I am running the Flex-a-lite aluminium radiator just to have a bit of extra capacity. Supercharged you know...
Bugout,
If Amazon carries the parts needed, it will be difficult to find a less expensive solution.
A quality T-Stat is required and all of the main suppliers build good ones. Just make sure it has the partial bypass when closed feature. Some of them do not. In particular, the racing application versions assume that the engine will be up to temperature all of the time...
You will need an adapter at the block. I do not think that there is room for a "Sandwich" adapter on our engines, you would need to take a measurement, at the filter, to confirm. If there is not room, then IMO the best option is for a remote filter installation.
Use 1/2" lines... Make triple sure that the lines are rated to carry engine oil. Water rated lines will self destruct with a disastrous outcome for the engine. Keep the lines as short as physically possible.
Remote filters. What can you say about them? They come in single and double configurations. Do I think having a double filter vastly improves the filtering? Well, not so much actually and then there is the issue of finding a place for them. It may turn out that either the frame rail above the front axle, passenger side, will be a suitable mounting location. Or not. Will have to check and see. Space being what it is under our hoods...
For the heat exchanger itself, I prefer the old school simple tube and fin over a stacked plate as there is very little, if any, chance of the flow becoming reduced in a tube and fin exchanger. The cooler itself does not need to be, by any means, a large one. As a "for instance" the stock cooler on my Mercedes was only about 8" tall and maybe 3" wide. Is bigger better? Yes. Up to a point. Just keep in mind that the bigger the cooler the more oil it takes to fill the system...
Up to a point? Yes, up to a point. If the exchanger is "too large" then the T-Stat will be constantly working to control the temperature. What is desired is that it opens and then stay that way until the engine is shut down. Most, if not all, of the kits out in the world rate the coolers based upon the horsepower of the engine. We have 190 ponies stock so that is a good starting point for sizing.
Oil flow. IMO, a high volume pump is needed. The oil will be making a long journey so, give it a bit of help. High pressure is not required and as far as I know, there is not a pump made that does both a pressure and a flow increase. Would love to be proved wrong here. So if anyone out here knows of one, please post a link. Thanks in advance!
What I strongly suggest is that all of the external components be filled with oil prior to starting the engine for the first time after installation. This removes any possibility of oil starvation.
As is always the case in this sort of modification. Taking your time is essential to a good outcome. I also strongly recommend that a careful eye be used after installation to detect any leaks. This is the very life blood of the engine, no chances can be taken.
My Favourite shopping locations, in order, after Amazon:
http://www.speedwaymotors.com/
http://www.jegs.com/
http://www.summitracing.com/
I hope this helps!
Cheers!
O-Gauge Steamer.