The VQ Engine typically disperses almost all of the oil out of the pan into the engine on WOT, heating up the oil quickly as a result. So even though your spirited driving may not be as hard, once you hit the pedal down hard a couple/three times the temps will jump up fairly quickly.
I installed a 9 row Stillen Oil Cooler, but failed to get a thermostatically controlled adapter plate - so in the winter time at and below 40°F, it is difficult to get the oil temps up to at least 180°F, which is bad as the water vapor from the internal combustion reaction will contaminate the oil. So, I installed an aluminum plate over 6 of the rows on the cooler, and left 3 rows uncovered. For Louisiana weather, and someone who does not track their Z, this proved to be perfect. In the summer time, the temps at Spirited Driving climb and hover around the 230°F mark and come down fairly quickly to 220°F and hover between 210°F and 220°F consistently under normal driving.
My advice is get a small oil cooler if you're not going to track the car or a large one if you are - that is, if oil temps are an issue for you. Either way, make sure you specify a thermostatically controlled adapter plate that will only open and divert the oil into the cooler when the oil temp reaches 180°F. That will make life a lot nicer for you and the car in the freezing winter months.
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BD2ZBN :: 2011 BSM/TRG/SP/6MT/Stillen Oil Cooler/K&N CAI/Michelin PSS/Brake Light/EIBACH Sway Bars/FI Res. HFC+18" Res. CBE/Morimoto XB LED/DRLs/10mm Spacers
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