Buying an Oil Cooler

OTK_Master

Hey, I'm looking into keeping my Oil Temps down with the purchase of an Aftermarket Oil Cooler. Does anyone have any suggestions, or experience? I've seen Stillen's model, looks pretty good. Thanks in advance!

ChrisSlicks

We need to know how you are using the car to give you a proper recommendation. I.e. mountain winding, HPDE etc.

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Hotchkis ARB | Stillen CAI | Art Pipes | Berk CBE | Stillen AP Racing Brakes | AE Performance Oil Cooler | BC Racing ER Coilovers | Doran Control Arms

OTK_Master

In most cases, It's a "daily beater", that is I drive it hard on a regular basis. It's worth noting that I would like to prep the car for events like Autocross, and Track Days.

ChrisSlicks

For hard street driving the 19 row Setrab core (as used by Stillen) is more than adequate and would also be great for Auto-X. It would also work ok for a novice HPDE driver that isn't pushing the car too hard. For more spirited HPDE go with the 25 row Setrab (Stillen sells this as the Race cooler). The biggest baddest cooler out there is the AE Performance cooler which uses one of the biggest Setrab cores available and has twice the cooling capacity of the Stillen Race setup. It would be overkill unless you seriously beat on the car at the track.

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Hotchkis ARB | Stillen CAI | Art Pipes | Berk CBE | Stillen AP Racing Brakes | AE Performance Oil Cooler | BC Racing ER Coilovers | Doran Control Arms

sig11

Don't forget to look at Z1. Their kit is pretty cheap, uses Setrab cores (19, 25, or 34 row) and SS lines. Also Z1 are huge supporters of the Z community.

What are your temperatures running now? Most of the time on the street I run around like this (pic) because my 25 row cooler does too good of a job. Great on the track but I'm afraid of what it will be like in the fall/spring.

Philipp

I have the Mishimoto universal oil cooler. Done 3 lapping events so far and haven't seen oil temp 225F. This set-up is cheap and no repported "hose explosions" issues!

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2009 370z, MT & Sport package.
DynoPack (stock): 268.8WHP & 224.4 Torque//K&N filters//Air cabin filter//HPS Tubes//Tune to come when VVEL...

Zat_Zuma

I did a fair amount of researching before I bought my oil cooler.
Z1 Motorsports offered the best deal and product that I could find.
Z1 Motorsports 370Z Oil Cooler Kit

Once the installation manual is updated, it will be one of the better kits out there. If your worried about oil temperatures during cooler weather and daily driving, you can't go wrong using the Mocal Thermostatic Sandwich Adapter.

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[B]2009 & 2017 370Z Touring Sport Autos SOLD

Modshack

If you add a cooler, make sure it has a thermostatic plate. Even with that you're going to need to come up with a blocking plate for fall/winter/spring running in Vermont. YOur oil will never get up to temp. See the DIY link in my sig for ideas on this and an install how-to using off the shelf parts. Many have duplicated it..

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Steal my car! (SOLD)...Now Porsche Cayman S
Oil Cooler DIY: Here!

persian54

How about for those of us in SoCal?

It can get cold once in a while during the winter months...

If one doesn't track much (2-3 times a year), would the oil cooler even be needed?

In my 335i, it's a necessity due to it being twin turbo and also pushing over 400whp...

What is the normal operating temp for the Z?

ChrisSlicks

Unless you want to cruise around the track in 6th gear then you need a cooler as you will be over 280 before you can finish your 3rd lap. Auto-x is okay without a cooler as you have a good 10 minute cool down period between runs.

Most people consider normal operating temperature to be 180-240F with maybe a few trips to 260F and back. Once you get above that even the best synthetic oils start to break down.

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Hotchkis ARB | Stillen CAI | Art Pipes | Berk CBE | Stillen AP Racing Brakes | AE Performance Oil Cooler | BC Racing ER Coilovers | Doran Control Arms

IMWEZL

This may sound dumb but I'm waiting until I find out where my next assignment will be before I buy an oil cooler. Korea is hot and humid on a spirited run my temps can easily run up to 270 before I have to ease up. Of course I don't plan to run the car during the winter.

I do plan on Auto-X, and HPDE depending on where I'm stationed.

350z_2nr

would a 19 be okay if you ocassionally go to the track and dragstrip?

ChrisSlicks

Yes. Dragstrip you don't really need a cooler.

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Hotchkis ARB | Stillen CAI | Art Pipes | Berk CBE | Stillen AP Racing Brakes | AE Performance Oil Cooler | BC Racing ER Coilovers | Doran Control Arms

Nubz

I just bought a Stillen Oil Cooler and it appears that they have the least or dont have any problems with their oil lines bursting. I got the 19 row model. I haven't put it on yet and Im kinda nervous about doing it myself.

Mt Tam I am

I was going to get Nissan oil cooler (how effective is this one?) installed by dealer just to be able to go to court with a jury trial if Nissan tries to not honor warranty due to malfunction. Am I nuts?

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Nissan Motorsports 34R Oil Cooler. Stillen CBE. Hotchkis Sport Sway Bars. KW Variant 3 Coilover System. Stillen Gen3 CAI. Michelin Pilot Super Sport. Stillen Brake Ducts. Carbotech™ XP10/XP8 Pads. Z1 Front Rotors. Z1 Stainless Brake Lines. Two degrees of camber