Nissan 370Z Forum - View Single Post - Laminova Oil-Water heat exchanger

ChipsWithDips · 08-29-2011, 08:20 PM

Bringing this thread back from the dead because I've been looking into the possibility of a Laminova lately.

Here's some links. Link in OP is not working for me
Laminova Catalog PDF
Cheapest online store I found for 43mmx330mm version

I like this idea compared to air based coolers since it:
- brings oil up to operating temperature faster
- doesn't require extra thermostat
- takes up less space
- weighs less supposedly (haven't seen numbers on this)
- no added obstructions to front grille
- maybe cool oil better than air cooler, if radiator is sufficient
- probably could be accomplished with less hose/fittings overall compared to air coolers?

Basically to me it feels like a more elegant solution to oil cooling overall.

Only real disadvantage would be if it ends up putting in more heat than the radiator can handle. I have a feeling that if you are staying NA then that shouldn't really be an issue. It's hard to estimate just how much more heat you this will require the radiator to remove though.

The main thing I'm wondering about right now is how you would install such a thing. For the oil line a regular oil filter sandwich plate adapter should be fine I think. But where you would tap into the coolant?

I know some 350Zs have OEM oil-to-coolant coolers right under the filter. I've seen there is an extra nipple on their thermostat housing, but where does the other end of the coolant go.
I wonder if a 350Z thermostat housing will drop in to 370z so we could use that extra nipple? Or maybe the stock one could be tapped for this. This nipple is not particularly large, so whether it flows enough for cooling under high load is questionable.

Or would you just replace one of the hoses going to/from the radiator? I would think it would be nicer to put it somewhere where the coolant flows through it even when the thermostat is closed, but not sure if that really matters.

Another possibility could be to put it in line with the heater core hoses. Not sure how much flow that gets either.

Also, would the orientation of the cooler matter at all? Does it matter if the coolant or oil flows horizontal or vertical? Or can you basically mount it any way that fits?

08-29-2011, 08:20 PM	#5 (permalink)
ChipsWithDips Enthusiast Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 279 Drives: '11 Gunmetal 370Z MT Rep Power: 14	Bringing this thread back from the dead because I've been looking into the possibility of a Laminova lately. Here's some links. Link in OP is not working for me Laminova Catalog PDF Cheapest online store I found for 43mmx330mm version I like this idea compared to air based coolers since it: - brings oil up to operating temperature faster - doesn't require extra thermostat - takes up less space - weighs less supposedly (haven't seen numbers on this) - no added obstructions to front grille - maybe cool oil better than air cooler, if radiator is sufficient - probably could be accomplished with less hose/fittings overall compared to air coolers? Basically to me it feels like a more elegant solution to oil cooling overall. Only real disadvantage would be if it ends up putting in more heat than the radiator can handle. I have a feeling that if you are staying NA then that shouldn't really be an issue. It's hard to estimate just how much more heat you this will require the radiator to remove though. The main thing I'm wondering about right now is how you would install such a thing. For the oil line a regular oil filter sandwich plate adapter should be fine I think. But where you would tap into the coolant? I know some 350Zs have OEM oil-to-coolant coolers right under the filter. I've seen there is an extra nipple on their thermostat housing, but where does the other end of the coolant go. I wonder if a 350Z thermostat housing will drop in to 370z so we could use that extra nipple? Or maybe the stock one could be tapped for this. This nipple is not particularly large, so whether it flows enough for cooling under high load is questionable. Or would you just replace one of the hoses going to/from the radiator? I would think it would be nicer to put it somewhere where the coolant flows through it even when the thermostat is closed, but not sure if that really matters. Another possibility could be to put it in line with the heater core hoses. Not sure how much flow that gets either. Also, would the orientation of the cooler matter at all? Does it matter if the coolant or oil flows horizontal or vertical? Or can you basically mount it any way that fits? Last edited by ChipsWithDips; 08-29-2011 at 08:48 PM.