2014 370z Weekend Warrior Journey

alanyluan · 04-15-2020, 12:58 AM

Hi everyone!

I joined the forum not too long ago but have only just recently been diving into a lot of the older threads as I begin a journey to transform what used to be my daily driver to a weekend fun car/occasional track toy. I didn't think I'd want to make the Z a track designated car, but that was until I did my first track day at the Ridge Motorsports Park (if you know, you know!) and it was insanely fun.

I definitely owe some thanks to those of you on the forums who have documented similar modifications/DIYs. I figured the least I could do is post some photos of my own adventures. Anyways, I had some free time the last several weeks to go through some pretty straightforward modifications to get it ready for several track days this summer. Phase 1 mods for this year includes KWv3, SPL arms, Hankook rs-4 (275 square), Enkei Nt03, Z1 34 row oil cooler, EBC pads, Stillen brake ducts, fresh fluids all around. Phase 2 couldn't come sooner!

Here's the one decent "before" picture:

A couple pics over the last couple weeks:

Before and After:

alanyluan · 04-15-2020, 01:03 AM

I've scheduled an alignment later this week. But given the good weather we've been having up here in the NW, couldn't help but get a couple miles to at least bed the brakes!

alanyluan · 04-15-2020, 01:15 AM

More pics in my album if anyone is interested.

Overall, pretty hyped on everything so far. I'm glad I was able to drive/track the car in essentially stock form. Driving it now, it feels like a completely different animal.

The one gripe I have would definitely be the Z1 oil cooler. Not sure if anyone else ran into this issue but the sandwich plate adapter wasn't very intuitive. The surface area geometry seemed too tight to securely fit a 1 inch socket and given the poor contact, I was getting a little too close to rounding the securing bolt. Seemed kinda sketch given this is definitely something you want to make sure is torqued appropriately. Also, the sandwich plate securing bolt isn't threaded deep enough to account for the length of the OEM oil filter connecting bolt and consequently results in a loose fitting sandwich plate. I was able to torque the bolt down to the 25 ft-lbs but I'm pretty sure that's occuring because I'm running out of threads... not because the sandwich plate is contacting the engine. I contacted Z1 to see if I was going crazy but they responded that this was a known (and supposedly rare) issue with the 2014 models. They suggested I take a grinder to the OEM oil filter connecting bolt and remove enough material to get good contact... A little hesitant to do that after paying $600+ on the kit. Anyways, the sandwich plate is secure but slightly rotates with some force applied. I've test driven it and checked for leaks and so far no visible leaks. Perhaps some "sweat" but not sure if just residue from the oil change. Not feeling entirely confident...

JLarson · 04-15-2020, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alanyluan

More pics in my album if anyone is interested.

Overall, pretty hyped on everything so far. I'm glad I was able to drive/track the car in essentially stock form. Driving it now, it feels like a completely different animal.

The one gripe I have would definitely be the Z1 oil cooler. Not sure if anyone else ran into this issue but the sandwich plate adapter wasn't very intuitive. The surface area geometry seemed too tight to securely fit a 1 inch socket and given the poor contact, I was getting a little too close to rounding the securing bolt. Seemed kinda sketch given this is definitely something you want to make sure is torqued appropriately. Also, the sandwich plate securing bolt isn't threaded deep enough to account for the length of the OEM oil filter connecting bolt and consequently results in a loose fitting sandwich plate. I was able to torque the bolt down to the 25 ft-lbs but I'm pretty sure that's occuring because I'm running out of threads... not because the sandwich plate is contacting the engine. I contacted Z1 to see if I was going crazy but they responded that this was a known (and supposedly rare) issue with the 2014 models. They suggested I take a grinder to the OEM oil filter connecting bolt and remove enough material to get good contact... A little hesitant to do that after paying $600+ on the kit. Anyways, the sandwich plate is secure but slightly rotates with some force applied. I've test driven it and checked for leaks and so far no visible leaks. Perhaps some "sweat" but not sure if just residue from the oil change. Not feeling entirely confident...

I'd be pretty pissed about that, and I'd also be uncomfortable with a rotating sandwich plate! Good album so far! Keep it coming.

gbrettin · 04-15-2020, 04:38 PM

Great way to start your thread! I like seeing all the DIY people put in work. Subbed to see more updates.

alanyluan · 04-15-2020, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gbrettin

Great way to start your thread! I like seeing all the DIY people put in work. Subbed to see more updates.

Thanks! Been learning a lot! It'll be a slow process but the list is long! I'll be sure to post when I can!

Rusty · 04-15-2020, 06:30 PM

Another one starting to go down the rabbit hole.

Once you go pass the event horizon. There is no 12 step program to help you.

Your wallet will be empty, and your credit card will be a smokin' pile of plastic.

Rusty · 04-15-2020, 06:31 PM

Truth.

God-Speed · 04-16-2020, 07:21 AM

Keep it going!!

danegrey · 04-16-2020, 10:06 AM

have fun with it...

BettyZ · 04-16-2020, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alanyluan

More pics in my album if anyone is interested.

Overall, pretty hyped on everything so far. I'm glad I was able to drive/track the car in essentially stock form. Driving it now, it feels like a completely different animal.

The one gripe I have would definitely be the Z1 oil cooler. Not sure if anyone else ran into this issue but the sandwich plate adapter wasn't very intuitive. The surface area geometry seemed too tight to securely fit a 1 inch socket and given the poor contact, I was getting a little too close to rounding the securing bolt. Seemed kinda sketch given this is definitely something you want to make sure is torqued appropriately. Also, the sandwich plate securing bolt isn't threaded deep enough to account for the length of the OEM oil filter connecting bolt and consequently results in a loose fitting sandwich plate. I was able to torque the bolt down to the 25 ft-lbs but I'm pretty sure that's occuring because I'm running out of threads... not because the sandwich plate is contacting the engine. I contacted Z1 to see if I was going crazy but they responded that this was a known (and supposedly rare) issue with the 2014 models. They suggested I take a grinder to the OEM oil filter connecting bolt and remove enough material to get good contact... A little hesitant to do that after paying $600+ on the kit. Anyways, the sandwich plate is secure but slightly rotates with some force applied. I've test driven it and checked for leaks and so far no visible leaks. Perhaps some "sweat" but not sure if just residue from the oil change. Not feeling entirely confident...

I have the same issue with mine. It occasionally sweats oil but I've had it on for 30k miles with no significant oil loss - aka no oil smears on my ZSpeed underpaneling.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

Rusty · 04-16-2020, 08:37 PM

I've had the Z1 oil cooler on since about 2012. Not had a drop from the sandwich plate.

alanyluan · 04-16-2020, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BettyZ

I have the same issue with mine. It occasionally sweats oil but I've had it on for 30k miles with no significant oil loss - aka no oil smears on my ZSpeed underpaneling.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rusty

I've had the Z1 oil cooler on since about 2012. Not had a drop from the sandwich plate.

Ok, thanks for the reassurance. I'll keep driving and see how it plays out. Hopefully it's up to the task for track use. A buddy of mine (S2000) had a sandwich plate go loose during a track day and spew oil all over the engine bay. He luckily got away without any damage and really secured that sucker down with loctite and safety wire. Perhaps I'm just paranoid.

Rusty · 04-16-2020, 09:01 PM

Don't use Mishshitymoto stuff. There is a long thread about a member who lost his engine over a cut o-ring on the sandwich plate from Mishshitymoto.

bunk · 04-17-2020, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alanyluan

More pics in my album if anyone is interested.

Overall, pretty hyped on everything so far. I'm glad I was able to drive/track the car in essentially stock form. Driving it now, it feels like a completely different animal.

The one gripe I have would definitely be the Z1 oil cooler. Not sure if anyone else ran into this issue but the sandwich plate adapter wasn't very intuitive. The surface area geometry seemed too tight to securely fit a 1 inch socket and given the poor contact, I was getting a little too close to rounding the securing bolt. Seemed kinda sketch given this is definitely something you want to make sure is torqued appropriately. Also, the sandwich plate securing bolt isn't threaded deep enough to account for the length of the OEM oil filter connecting bolt and consequently results in a loose fitting sandwich plate. I was able to torque the bolt down to the 25 ft-lbs but I'm pretty sure that's occuring because I'm running out of threads... not because the sandwich plate is contacting the engine. I contacted Z1 to see if I was going crazy but they responded that this was a known (and supposedly rare) issue with the 2014 models. They suggested I take a grinder to the OEM oil filter connecting bolt and remove enough material to get good contact... A little hesitant to do that after paying $600+ on the kit. Anyways, the sandwich plate is secure but slightly rotates with some force applied. I've test driven it and checked for leaks and so far no visible leaks. Perhaps some "sweat" but not sure if just residue from the oil change. Not feeling entirely confident...

Its not just with the 2014 models. I have a 2010 and I have the same issue. Just like you said, a socket on the adapter is a very tight fit. Hard/impossible to get a good seat. Whenever I replace the oil filter, I have to tighten the adapter down as best as I can. But in the 2 years Ive had the cooler, I had one leak that was just a slow drip. I like to check my oil level when I refuel.

04-15-2020, 12:58 AM	#1 (permalink)
alanyluan Base Member Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Seattle Posts: 45 Drives: 14 Nissan 370z Rep Power: 7	2014 370z Weekend Warrior Journey Hi everyone! I joined the forum not too long ago but have only just recently been diving into a lot of the older threads as I begin a journey to transform what used to be my daily driver to a weekend fun car/occasional track toy. I didn't think I'd want to make the Z a track designated car, but that was until I did my first track day at the Ridge Motorsports Park (if you know, you know!) and it was insanely fun. I definitely owe some thanks to those of you on the forums who have documented similar modifications/DIYs. I figured the least I could do is post some photos of my own adventures. Anyways, I had some free time the last several weeks to go through some pretty straightforward modifications to get it ready for several track days this summer. Phase 1 mods for this year includes KWv3, SPL arms, Hankook rs-4 (275 square), Enkei Nt03, Z1 34 row oil cooler, EBC pads, Stillen brake ducts, fresh fluids all around. Phase 2 couldn't come sooner! Here's the one decent "before" picture: A couple pics over the last couple weeks: Before and After: danegrey, old guy and ZontheRocks like this.

04-15-2020, 01:03 AM	#2 (permalink)
alanyluan Base Member Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Seattle Posts: 45 Drives: 14 Nissan 370z Rep Power: 7	I've scheduled an alignment later this week. But given the good weather we've been having up here in the NW, couldn't help but get a couple miles to at least bed the brakes! danegrey, Rusty, Hotrodz and 4 others like this.

04-15-2020, 01:15 AM	#3 (permalink)
alanyluan Base Member Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Seattle Posts: 45 Drives: 14 Nissan 370z Rep Power: 7	More pics in my album if anyone is interested. Overall, pretty hyped on everything so far. I'm glad I was able to drive/track the car in essentially stock form. Driving it now, it feels like a completely different animal. The one gripe I have would definitely be the Z1 oil cooler. Not sure if anyone else ran into this issue but the sandwich plate adapter wasn't very intuitive. The surface area geometry seemed too tight to securely fit a 1 inch socket and given the poor contact, I was getting a little too close to rounding the securing bolt. Seemed kinda sketch given this is definitely something you want to make sure is torqued appropriately. Also, the sandwich plate securing bolt isn't threaded deep enough to account for the length of the OEM oil filter connecting bolt and consequently results in a loose fitting sandwich plate. I was able to torque the bolt down to the 25 ft-lbs but I'm pretty sure that's occuring because I'm running out of threads... not because the sandwich plate is contacting the engine. I contacted Z1 to see if I was going crazy but they responded that this was a known (and supposedly rare) issue with the 2014 models. They suggested I take a grinder to the OEM oil filter connecting bolt and remove enough material to get good contact... A little hesitant to do that after paying $600+ on the kit. Anyways, the sandwich plate is secure but slightly rotates with some force applied. I've test driven it and checked for leaks and so far no visible leaks. Perhaps some "sweat" but not sure if just residue from the oil change. Not feeling entirely confident... Rusty, Hotrodz, old guy and 1 others like this. Last edited by alanyluan; 04-15-2020 at 01:17 AM.

04-15-2020, 04:38 PM	#5 (permalink)
gbrettin A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Portage, MI Posts: 2,284 Drives: Tricycle Rep Power: 589151	Great way to start your thread! I like seeing all the DIY people put in work. Subbed to see more updates. JARblue, Rusty, old guy and 2 others like this.

04-16-2020, 07:21 AM	#9 (permalink)
God-Speed A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Austin, Tx. Posts: 4,365 Drives: Prototype Rep Power: 2684377	Keep it going!! gbrettin and alanyluan like this.

04-16-2020, 10:06 AM	#10 (permalink)
danegrey A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Knoxville Age: 71 Posts: 3,190 Drives: 12 370Z BK Cherry M6 Rep Power: 649540	have fun with it... gbrettin and alanyluan like this. __________________ Lots of Changes the Z needs to be driven and driven hard for the car lives for it

04-16-2020, 08:37 PM	#12 (permalink)
Rusty Ronin Samurai - Assassin Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Fayettenam,Pennsyltucky Age: 68 Posts: 35,227 Drives: 2011 Nismo GM 6M Rep Power: 2684438	I've had the Z1 oil cooler on since about 2012. Not had a drop from the sandwich plate. __________________ 浪人 - 殺し屋 "The Difficult Anytime, The Impossible By Appointment Only" http://www.the370z.com/members-370z-...o-journal.html

04-16-2020, 09:01 PM	#14 (permalink)
Rusty Ronin Samurai - Assassin Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Fayettenam,Pennsyltucky Age: 68 Posts: 35,227 Drives: 2011 Nismo GM 6M Rep Power: 2684438	Don't use Mishshitymoto stuff. There is a long thread about a member who lost his engine over a cut o-ring on the sandwich plate from Mishshitymoto. BettyZ likes this. __________________ 浪人 - 殺し屋 "The Difficult Anytime, The Impossible By Appointment Only" http://www.the370z.com/members-370z-...o-journal.html

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