how cold is too cold for oil temps?

IDZRVIT · 12-01-2010, 05:25 PM

Below 160 F is considered too cold for the oil to provide proper lubrication.

flashburn · 12-01-2010, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John@Z1

190-220 is about the best for oil temps for optimum performance. Spencer and Dustin has something in the works for you all.

Is there an ETA on this? It's starting to get pretty cold in various areas (yes even in Florida).

atropine · 12-02-2010, 07:22 AM

thx for the link on the diy cover, i spent an hour and made one yesterday. today outside temp is 36F, now oil temp is holding steady at 185. perfect!

6MT · 12-02-2010, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by atropine

so i just installed an oil cooler. this morning it is 38F outside. just finished my 50 mile freeway commute, on cruise at 82 mph, turning a little over 3k rpms, oil temp hovered right at 145. running factory ester oil. idling in the parking lot now im at a little over 150. too cold?

That's not cold. Try it at minus 35. I would think you'd have an issue then.

Jordo! · 12-02-2010, 06:41 PM

I've been thinking for a while now that anyone who does an oil cooler for their DD needs to get a 200* thermostat put on it. That should be about perfect -- neither too cold nor too hot, with room to fluctuate a bit.

If you guys need a block off plate for the 180* temp thermostat in the winter, it's just too cold a temp setting IMO.

Running one without a thermostat unless it is a track only car is probably counterproductive.

Based on anything I've ever read, I wouldn't beat on it until it reaches about 175*-180*. If you start to creep up over 250*-260*, let it cool down.

The 190* F - 220*F sweetspot somebody mentioned is probably about right.

chuckd05 · 12-02-2010, 11:18 PM

It's alot easier to Velcro a cover on your cooler than swapping thermo plates in winter and summer .

sig11 · 12-03-2010, 11:50 AM

Here was my solution... I went from 160 on 50-60F days (city driving hits 180) to a solid 180 at highway speeds (~220 city driving) at 20-40F days. All it takes is an old cardboard box. It's ugly and mine has melted from driving in the rain but it works. A friend was building me a more permanent cover but I haven't heard from him in a while.

(click for full size)

flashburn · 12-03-2010, 12:28 PM

Just make the one in the DIY someone posted above, it's pretty simple, and requires minimal tools. I'm going to be making mine tomorrow or Sunday.

Jordo! · 12-03-2010, 12:36 PM

Why would you guys swap thermostats from winter to summer. Just run a 200*F thermostat all year round

flashburn · 12-03-2010, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jordo!

Why would you guys swap thermostats from winter to summer. Just run a 200*F thermostat all year round

No one other than Chuckd was talking about swapping thermostatic plates, and I think he was just confused. It would just be stupid to do that based on weather conditions.

atropine · 12-03-2010, 10:50 PM

My oil cooler did not come with a thermostatic plate, and I figured that if anyone wouldn't need one it would be me; after all, isn't the Las Vegas area one of the hottest areas in the country? I guess I was wrong, but fortunately making a cover was simple and switching it in and out is a snap.

wilsonp · 12-27-2010, 02:43 AM

I'm puzzled that my car never gets over 200 and often shows 180 after ten minutes even back in 70 weather. I don't seeevidence of an oil cooler and the previous owner wasn't the type to mod at all.

I don't think I got over 200 on a two hour highway drive in 70 weather.

Maybe my sensor is off?

wilsonp · 12-27-2010, 02:43 AM

I'm puzzled that my car never gets over 200 and often shows 180 after ten minutes even back in 70 weather. I don't seeevidence of an oil cooler and the previous owner wasn't the type to mod at all.

I don't think I got over 200 on a two hour highway drive in 70 weather.

Maybe my sensor is off?

CrownR426 · 12-27-2010, 02:59 AM

When warming up my car I allow it to go up to 5 Dots on the indicator.
Warming up your car is VERY important!
Even though it's real cold here in the north east I always wait event to turn on the heater cause I care about my baby.

ihaveworms · 12-27-2010, 04:25 AM

Sounds like a job for a thermostat.

12-01-2010, 05:25 PM	#16 (permalink)
IDZRVIT A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: Halifax Posts: 1,659 Drives: '13 CTS-V, '76 Vette Rep Power: 27	Below 160 F is considered too cold for the oil to provide proper lubrication. __________________ "America.... still builds rockets!" Vette: 355 cid, 400 rwhp '13 CTS-V Coupe: 6.2L LSA, 556HP

12-02-2010, 06:41 PM	#20 (permalink)
Jordo! A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2010 Location: nirvana Posts: 6,394 Drives: 2023 NATM Rep Power: 418	I've been thinking for a while now that anyone who does an oil cooler for their DD needs to get a 200* thermostat put on it. That should be about perfect -- neither too cold nor too hot, with room to fluctuate a bit. If you guys need a block off plate for the 180* temp thermostat in the winter, it's just too cold a temp setting IMO. Running one without a thermostat unless it is a track only car is probably counterproductive. Based on anything I've ever read, I wouldn't beat on it until it reaches about 175-180. If you start to creep up over 250-260, let it cool down. The 190* F - 220F sweetspot somebody mentioned is probably about right. __________________ Enjoy it. Destroy it. Last edited by Jordo!; 12-02-2010 at 06:44 PM.*

12-02-2010, 11:18 PM	#21 (permalink)
chuckd05 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: NY Posts: 2,391 Drives: No longer a Z Rep Power: 20	It's alot easier to Velcro a cover on your cooler than swapping thermo plates in winter and summer . __________________ 09 370Z 6M PW - FBO Best 1/4 mile = 12.926 @ 109 SOLD -- 08 BMW 135i - FBO 12.1@120mph SOLD -- white 09 e92 335 Coupe Mtech - 11.9 @ 119 :-)

12-03-2010, 12:28 PM	#23 (permalink)
flashburn A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: Central Florida Posts: 1,884 Drives: '12 Corvette GS 6M Rep Power: 19	Just make the one in the DIY someone posted above, it's pretty simple, and requires minimal tools. I'm going to be making mine tomorrow or Sunday. __________________ Current Ride: 2012 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport Centennial Edition Carbon Flash 6M Previous Ride: 2009 Nissan 370Z Sport Platinum Graphite 7AT

12-03-2010, 12:36 PM	#24 (permalink)
Jordo! A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2010 Location: nirvana Posts: 6,394 Drives: 2023 NATM Rep Power: 418	Why would you guys swap thermostats from winter to summer. Just run a 200*F thermostat all year round __________________ Enjoy it. Destroy it.

12-02-2010, 07:22 AM	#18 (permalink)
atropine Base Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Logandale, NV Posts: 39 Drives: 09 6MT Sport/Tour/Nv Rep Power: 15	thx for the link on the diy cover, i spent an hour and made one yesterday. today outside temp is 36F, now oil temp is holding steady at 185. perfect!

12-03-2010, 11:50 AM	#22 (permalink)
sig11 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Detroit Posts: 1,294 Drives: 09 370Z Red Sport-MT Rep Power: 18	Here was my solution... I went from 160 on 50-60F days (city driving hits 180) to a solid 180 at highway speeds (~220 city driving) at 20-40F days. All it takes is an old cardboard box. It's ugly and mine has melted from driving in the rain but it works. A friend was building me a more permanent cover but I haven't heard from him in a while. (click for full size)

12-03-2010, 10:50 PM	#26 (permalink)
atropine Base Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Logandale, NV Posts: 39 Drives: 09 6MT Sport/Tour/Nv Rep Power: 15	My oil cooler did not come with a thermostatic plate, and I figured that if anyone wouldn't need one it would be me; after all, isn't the Las Vegas area one of the hottest areas in the country? I guess I was wrong, but fortunately making a cover was simple and switching it in and out is a snap.

12-27-2010, 02:43 AM	#27 (permalink)
wilsonp A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,134 Drives: 2009 Touring Sp Nav Rep Power: 17	I'm puzzled that my car never gets over 200 and often shows 180 after ten minutes even back in 70 weather. I don't seeevidence of an oil cooler and the previous owner wasn't the type to mod at all. I don't think I got over 200 on a two hour highway drive in 70 weather. Maybe my sensor is off? __________________ 2014 Cayman S PDK Sport Chrono White/Black Was 2009 370Z Touring Sport+Nav 7AT Metallic Black/Persimmon Was 1991 NSX Auto Black/Black

12-27-2010, 02:43 AM	#28 (permalink)
wilsonp A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,134 Drives: 2009 Touring Sp Nav Rep Power: 17	I'm puzzled that my car never gets over 200 and often shows 180 after ten minutes even back in 70 weather. I don't seeevidence of an oil cooler and the previous owner wasn't the type to mod at all. I don't think I got over 200 on a two hour highway drive in 70 weather. Maybe my sensor is off? __________________ 2014 Cayman S PDK Sport Chrono White/Black Was 2009 370Z Touring Sport+Nav 7AT Metallic Black/Persimmon Was 1991 NSX Auto Black/Black

12-27-2010, 02:59 AM	#29 (permalink)
CrownR426 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: South Korea Posts: 4,676 Drives: Manual Rep Power: 848	When warming up my car I allow it to go up to 5 Dots on the indicator. Warming up your car is VERY important! Even though it's real cold here in the north east I always wait event to turn on the heater cause I care about my baby. __________________ Love + Hardwork + Passion RIP SVTRacer

12-27-2010, 04:25 AM	#30 (permalink)
ihaveworms Base Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Tennessee Posts: 7 Drives: 00 Grand AM GT Black Rep Power: 15	Sounds like a job for a thermostat.

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