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Old 11-12-2012, 09:31 AM   #17 (permalink)
Dustin@Z1
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Sorry for failing on getting this info over to you dmhenderson, the primary difference between the 2012+ and 2009-2011 370Z is the oil cooler (for most people anyway).

The oil cooler found on the 2012+ is not like the one Falconfixer is selling here. This type of cooler features a more traditional Air-Liquid Heat Exchanger in the form of small radiator mounted in the bumper of the vehicle.

The 2012+ models (in the USA) have a Liquid-Liquid Heat Exchanger. If you look near your oil filter, you will see a small "puck" with two fittings coming off of it. This heat exchanger circulates coolant through this part which also has engine oil flowing through it as well. In MOST cases, the oil is hotter than the coolant. The coolant, being cooler, absorbs the heat from the oil and eventually cools it through the radiator.

The problem with this design is that you are adding additional stress to your cooling system. You are essentially asking it to cool not only your coolant, but your oil as well which can reach nearly 300 degrees F.

On the other hand, the Liquid-Liquid Heat Exchanger can also work the opposite way and can be beneficial. A plaguing issue of the traditional Air-Liquid oil cooler like the one for sale in this ad is that they have a tendency to OVER COOL the engine's oil depending on driving conditions, style and ambient temps. The Liquid-Liquid Oil Cooler can help regulate the oil temps and prevent it from being over cooled.

The bottom line is that you want to bring you oil temps up and stay within a range. This range helps maintain proper oil viscosity and will prolong the oil's useable life.
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