Okay folks. Just got off the phone with someone a step up from my Midwest Regional CS Manager. First, this person races cars for fun. He races street cars. His favorite track is Road America in Wisconsin. This guy knows his stuff. He's not a kid and has been doing this a long time. 250 to 280 to him is optimal engine oil temperature for high performance driving, and he urged anyone to just look it up from reputable sources. Also, I must say, this person could not have been nicer. They're motto right now is "prove it on the street." The racetrack is a different story. This we should completely understand. This oil cooler kit is coming out for all of the people complaining for an issue that most of us have never had. (I got to the 260-280, after a 'spirited driving' session, but it never cut itself off or limited anything.)
If it's not cutting off, it's running just fine. He said those of you trying to race your cars around at the much much cooler temperatures (ie. 180-200) are the ones actually not doing the engine any favors. This is some more VERY important information.
You hit 300, you're in a bit of trouble, but that's where the engine will automatically limit itself. It's not the complete end of the earth nor the engine. He said if you are racing, they will have your ultimate oil cooler kit that is thermostatically controlled. That's nice. It's just about out, and wait for it. Would it have been nice to have this option earlier this year? Of course. He stressed over and over, your oil should be between 250 to 280 for its best protection of the engine in high performance driving. If you're not hitting the cut-off, the engine is by no means in danger.
Should you choose to buy the Nissan Motorsports Oil Cooler kit, which I'm sure most of us are, get it done at the Nissan dealer. He said that will keep your full powertrain warranty in tact.
This should start putting this to rest. I believe him completely. He was very, very nice. I want you all to read what I have posted above a couple of times. 250-280 is good for a motor being run hard. You have to be well above this range for it to break down. He also said the Nissan Ester oil is perfect in this range. He said if you're on a track and are experiencing this, your fix is coming, but otherwise if your engine doesn't go into a full limp mode, it's doing fine. He said they've pounded the piss out of these cars, and know it takes an awful lot to have the motor go into limp mode. I agree. He even urged me to take him out on our roads in "A spirited way." He races street legal race cars on tracks people, and personally had a hand in R&D. Do you know these have been out testing for almost three years before they came out? He said they flogged the hell out of them. Up mountains, in the Arizona desert, and never had these problems. He said if you are racing them, well, your oil cooler is just about out. He said just to make sure, the thermostat will keep the temps in this "hot" optimal range.
Almost all of our cars are just fine and are not compromised in any way. If you race them on a track for quite a while, all out, he said they understand. Your temperature controlled coolers are coming out.
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