Oil Cooler Install in NoVa

Misnomer

Annapolis is out of the question, but Manassas isn't horrible and I've heard other recommendations for P-Tuning. They sell Mishimoto coolers, so I wasn't sure if they'd install a Z1. I'll have to reach out to them...thanks!

The dealership estimate I got last year -- just for labor -- was more like $400-500.

Thanks! That's the dealership I've been using for oil changes and scheduled maintenance for the past 16 months -- I bought the car used -- and is who I got that labor quote from last year. Do you remember what they charged you? I know it was several years ago: did it seem reasonable at the time?

Z Stig

I think they charged me for three hours labor. I believe it was at $85 an hour... If that was not the quote, then I am close and yes, I thought it was very reasonable at the time.

BTW. If you have a 34 row Z1 cooler, then I have a blocking plate you can have for free. Just taking up room in my garage. It is bare steel with velcro to attach it to the cooler. It really does help to have it on in the cooler weather. I would drive it in everything but actual snow, so it saw single degrees and still performed well for the oil temps.

__________________
SOLD: '10 Sport Touring, Black Cherry: Z1 Stuff, Stillen stuff, kWv3, SPC, UpRev & Pilot Super Sport.

Now: 2015 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk for off-road fun, 2015 BMW 228ix for on-road fun

Misnomer

I'm getting the 25-row cooler, and I've never heard of a blocking plate: I presume it's to allow the oil to warm up properly in the winter? I do drive my Z in actual snow, so I'll consider adding one in the fall.

Is having an oil cooler in cold temperatures a known problem? Is the plate more of a "must have" thing if my Z is my daily driver?

(I get so frustrated with Nissan sometimes! Make a sports car that can't be tracked without overheating, then the fix to that needs another part because I live in a place that has winter...grrr...)

Thanks!

Z Stig

Good for you for driving it in the snow!

Need a blocking plate = depends... Did you get the sandwich plate from Z1 as well? If it is not too late, I would highly recommend it. The oil coolers from Z-1 work so well that the oil will not get up to a good operating temperature without the sandwich plate and/or the blocking plate. The sandwich plate works as a thermostat that will allow the oil to cycle through just the engine until it warms up enough to open the plate and let the oil start flowing through the cooler and then closes again when the oil gets to cold.

I still used a blocking plate on mine and I had the sandwich plate. It seemed to keep the temperature up better with the blocking plate in. I know Aniceh uses her blocking plate and will sometimes move it to cover only half of the cooler to allow for some temperature regulation.

I can cut down my current one and will happily give it to you to place on your cooler to figure out if it works for you. No charge! Just helping a Z owner out.

__________________
SOLD: '10 Sport Touring, Black Cherry: Z1 Stuff, Stillen stuff, kWv3, SPC, UpRev & Pilot Super Sport.

Now: 2015 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk for off-road fun, 2015 BMW 228ix for on-road fun

Misnomer

Yep. I'm getting:

• 25-row oil cooler
• Thermostatic oil sandwich plate adapter (because the site said, "It is highly recommended that a Thermostatic sandwich plate adapter be purchased when installing an oil cooler onto a street driven 370Z. As important as it is to keep high oil temperatures under control, it is just as important to maintain the proper temperature to ensure the highest possible lubrication.")
• Protective hose wrapping
• Setrab core

After reading about the options on the Z1 site and doing a little research here, those seemed to be the best choices for me.

Also, Z1 called me yesterday to say that their lines are out of stock: they're getting new ones on Friday, and they're a little different than the usual Z1 lines in that they're a little more durable. No additional cost, and hopefully everything will ship tomorrow!

I appreciate it, but I'll pass...at least, for now. I'll wait and see what next winter brings, but will know to keep an eye on the oil temp once the outside temps start dropping.

Z Stig

Sounds like you are getting everything appropriate for the Z!

NP on waiting for winter. I will probably not have the blocking plate then. I'm moving my shop out of the basement and into the garage, so I'm getting rid of my excess parts...

Enjoy the oil cooler.

__________________
SOLD: '10 Sport Touring, Black Cherry: Z1 Stuff, Stillen stuff, kWv3, SPC, UpRev & Pilot Super Sport.

Now: 2015 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk for off-road fun, 2015 BMW 228ix for on-road fun

EmilZ

Hey girl! Do it yourself. Block off a few hours on the weekend. Look up the DIY. it is very thorough and full of specific details. Most importantly, it gets you familiar with your Z! If I did it, so can you!

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Misnomer

Nah, it's not my thing. But good on ya for doing yours yourself, and thanks for the encouragement!

eastwest2300

....

__________________
Infiniti QX70 & Toyota Supra 3.0 Premium

Misnomer

Aside from aftermarket tires, yes.

(The previous owner put in a dual pop-charger air intake system, but to my knowledge that's the only thing he changed.)

If it were up to me I wouldn't mod the car at all, but I do want to track her -- and take her up the NJ Turnpike over Memorial Day weekend -- without overheating, so it seems that the oil cooler is necessary.

Tigger

If you are going to track it, do the brakes too. Stainless lines and fluid. Get a set of pads for the track. Get a kit together so you can change the pads when you get there (super easy on a sport model). And for the love of all things sacred get rid of the pop-chargers. They are robbing you of power. Aside from that, you don't need to touch anything else.

Good luck!

Misnomer

Thanks, Tigger and EmilZ! All of my research pointed firmly to "track = oil cooler," but I never saw any mention of potential downsides. I think (hope!) I got the right/best options from Z1.

And yeah, my oil temp got up to 250-260 one day last summer just driving from Baltimore to DC. No fun driving with one eye on the gauge! (Hmm, maybe the "NJ Turnpike on Memorial Day" thing wasn't as much of a joke as I thought... )

Tigger, some follow-up questions if you don't mind:

Yeah, I'll definitely do the brakes and upgrade the brake fluid. Car and Driver also recommends brake-cooling ducts, but I've seen conflicting opinions on those. Plus I'm not going to be at VIR or living at the track or anything: I'll take her to one or two FATTs at Summit Point this summer, and might finally try an autocross event (maybe). I just want to be able to do that without overheating or going into a gravel pit. What do you think about brake-cooling ducts? Overkill?

I wasn't willing to put in a blocking plate myself, but you think I'm gonna change my brake pads at the track??

I know it's sexy for a woman to work on her own car -- and probably more appropriate for this forum -- but that just ain't me. I don't have a garage or any storage space, and have never been mechanically inclined. I don't feel like I couldn't do it, I'm just not interested. But I try to be educated about my vehicle and I do my best to take good care of her, and I don't feel the need to pretend to know more than I do.

I've also heard conflicting opinions about those. The previous owner did leave me the original parts...how much power we talking about?