Stillen 19 row oil cooler installed by MAC Autosports (first mod for BlackZeda)
 

On Saturday, June 16th 2012 I had a Stillen 19 row oil cooler installed by Shane and Adam at MAC Autosports (Parker, CO). Since this is my daily driver I decided to read a book and wait so that I could take a peek during different stages of the install (which they gladly allowed me to do). Throughout the day I was able to chat with quite a few customers whom all were very happy with their experience with this shop. Many were repeat customers that couldn't compliment the work performed more highly. Shane, Adam and Nick were all very friendly (as were Bill, the owner on previous occasions) and were more than happy to talk in detail about the install and in general about my Z. Both the oil cooler and the install costs were a lot less than I expected which was a big bonus.

I took some pictures of the install here

As it turned out the next two days the outside temperatures were 94 and 99 which gave me a good opportunity to test the effectiveness of the oil cooler. Normally these temps would kill the performance of my Z, especially from a stop. I am pleased to say that after a lot of spirited driving around the small airport roads close to where I live the oil cooler did greatly improve the performance of my NISMO in the heat. I was able to get the oil temperature up close to 230 but the drop off in performance was very minimal.

Nick (the tuner at MAC) informed me that an UpRev tune will can further increase the performance of the Z in the heat, and obviously in general. This makes sense to me since living at altitude the original program is more appropriate for sea-level. I only have 4000 miles left until the manufacturer warranty runs out which I plan on doing the UpRev tune and possibly going with a Fast Intentions cat-back and header install. I will of course have MAC Motorsports perform these as I am very pleased with their work.

I'm not sure why you would not experience a drop off in performance if your oil temps hit 230 AFTER the installation of the oil cooler? I feel the "gas pedal delay" as soon as the car hits 220 oil temp. Also not sure why you would still be able to hit 230 with an oil cooler (not in a track environment)? Seems like the 19 row would keep it cooler than that?

Its not uncommon for the oil to get that high with the 19, I have a 34 and when I bang on her hard for 20min she gets up to 220ish but thats it. I never did go in the cold but when it was over 100 outside I tested it out and it worked awesome. Timing does start to get pulled at 220ish.

What sort of air temps are you seeing when you get to 220 with spirited driving? I imagine Riverside gets up to about the 100degree range during the summer? We'll be in 112+ degree temps until ~October here...

Well I really, really tried, but I could not actually get the oil temp up TO 230...which at first I was concerned that I could even get it up that high. After a lot of jack-rabbit starts which normally I would really have to rev the engine in order to avoid the bog, or the balk sensation I realized that the issue is pretty much gone. Of course the cooler the air temps are, the much better everything runs, but my goal was just to get out of the pathetic "snail start" zone. With that being said I am quite pleased. One thing to consider is that I am at at least 5280 ft. of altitude, which makes anything have to work harder, hence (at least in my mind) more work means even more heat. I am excited to get the tune done here soon as I have a feeling that the computer needs to be compensate for the thinner air. Nick the tuner at MAC informed me that the factory program makes the engine run too rich (here at altitude). Indeed when I feel the "bog" or the "balk" at start up it almost seems that the engine is trying to avoid vapor lock. I am not a mechanic so that could be something that I am imagining since it may not be possible in a fuel injected engine.

I've had my car in idle traffic jams for 30 minutes+ and it will climb to about 220 in 100-105 weather with a 72 row. Once air starts passing through, it doesn't matter how hard I run it, It doesn't go past 220. It is completely understandable that it got to almost 230. I've seen 25 row oil coolers get to 260+ in 100+ temps at the track during 20 minute sessions.

Hey bush I di some canyon carving from the base of the hemet mountains up through and into palm springs. Temp ranged from 98-110ish. A lot of full throttle\high rev action in 2nd and third. Keep a close ey on your cooler fittings, mine strted to leak a week after install. I had to position the hoses in a way that it would provide constnt tightening so that it wouldn't come loose again. Its been on for 27000 miles ad its been working great.

A quick update; after a few days of outside temperatures above 90 (101) today and quite a bit of driving my oil temps stay around 205 now. The performance in the heat is greatly improved and even though there is a bit of bogging starting in first gear, it is significantly reduced.

Thanks BlackZeda...I have the 34 row coming here this week, will try to install it next weekend. Let me know about your results when you do the UpRev tune...I have a feeling this oil cooler is not going to solve all of the 1st gear bogging problem...

I'm hoping you're experiencing something out of norm bushman; Do remember to make a thread with overall experience post 34 row ic install please. Even if it doesn't solve all of the issues, I personally would really like to know how it works for you since I'm also is a pretty warm climate not far from Arizona and I'm also interested in the 34 row ic from Z1.

Thanks.

Unfortunately, its not out of the norm. There was a 48 page thread talking about this under "Gas Pedal Delay", and the thread I started was dozens of pages too... The 370Z has a documented flaw, and unfortunately Nissan has NOT stepped up to address it, so the owners and aftermarket need to do it themselves. I've read that most of the issue can be eliminated with the oil cooler and the UpRev cooling fan tune...we shall see.

I have some carbon fiber exhaust finishers I'm ordering for my sti do you think they could install?


ThePhotographer

For sure...even though they are keen on Nissans (both of the shop race cars were 240sx's) I believe all of the customers I chatted with that day were very happy Subaru owners.

Cool I will call them can you PM their info.

If I've seen your z on Colorado blvd I believe and if youve taken it to get detailed at the wash on Colorado blvd.


ThePhotographer