Faster when warm?

Pelican170 · 08-12-2010, 02:34 PM

Hey guys,

Now i know it sounds strange, but I swear I get better acceleration and performance (as well as much louder exhaust sound) when the oil temp is at around 220. Is this normal? It still is new and has about 500 miles on it but its something that ive definately noticed.

Jordo! · 08-12-2010, 02:59 PM

Don't romp too hard on the car below 160* F

Optimal is 190* - 210*F

Good is 220* - 230* F

> 230* you may lose a little power

> 260* - 270* F Potential for some bearing wear; not a big deal unless racing it tho'

At 280* F the ECU goes into limp mode (i.e., won't allow you to race it) to prevent the engine damage described above.

Individual results may vary.

Check your oil level in another 500 miles -- you may need to add up to 1/2 a qt (new engines tend to burn some oil during break in).

m4a1mustang · 08-12-2010, 03:02 PM

To me the car feels best between 180-210ish. Once you get to 220 my butt dyno notices a loss in power.

memorylasts · 08-12-2010, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m4a1mustang

To be the car feels best between 180-210ish. Once you get to 220 my butt dyno notices a loss in power.

Jordo! · 08-12-2010, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m4a1mustang

To me the car feels best between 180-210ish. Once you get to 220 my butt dyno notices a loss in power.

That's not inconsistent with what I noted above. Although I've read a slighter higher value is when power tends to drops off, I'm sure it varies a bit from engine to engine, and who knows how accurate the Nissan gauge is anyway...

BTW, my main source for that oil temp info is from a really great book on tuning that I highly recommend Amazon.com: Forced Induction Performance Tuning A Practical Guide to Supercharging and Turbocharging (9781859606919):… .

Similar advice can be found from other authoritative sources -- yes, I checked

fullmonty · 08-13-2010, 12:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by memorylasts

Ya somewhere around 200-210 is what feels the best with mine, but its not a dog when it gets any higher than that. Below 140 seems to be the worst I'm sure its the same for everyone unless you go into limp mode alot

Jordo! · 08-13-2010, 12:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fullmonty

Ya somewhere around 200-210 is what feels the best with mine, but its not a dog when it gets any higher than that. Below 140 seems to be the worst I'm sure its the same for everyone unless you go into limp mode alot

I would definitely not thrash it too hard below about 160*

Pelican170 · 08-13-2010, 11:00 AM

Thanks guys,

I dont romp on it too much below 160. but those ranges you mentioned seem about right for my car. was at about 190 today and it felt good. Thanks again.

fuct · 08-13-2010, 11:17 AM

once i hit the 180 i let her have it.

nismo09 · 08-13-2010, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pelican170

Hey guys,

Now i know it sounds strange, but I swear I get better acceleration and performance (as well as much louder exhaust sound) when the oil temp is at around 220. Is this normal? It still is new and has about 500 miles on it but its something that ive definately noticed.

I take it you are running factory Nissan motor oil?

The reason I ask is that when I switched to Torco synthetic oil I noticed an immediate difference in engine sound – even when idling. According to my mechanic, the Nissan oil has an anti-dampening property in it that the Torco does not. I like zinc in my oil hence the Torco switch.

I guess my point is if you switched oil, that could be why your car sounds louder.

Just a thought.

08-12-2010, 02:34 PM	#1 (permalink)
Pelican170 Track Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Sandy Hook, CT Posts: 972 Drives: Nissan 370z Nismo Rep Power: 16	Faster when warm? Hey guys, Now i know it sounds strange, but I swear I get better acceleration and performance (as well as much louder exhaust sound) when the oil temp is at around 220. Is this normal? It still is new and has about 500 miles on it but its something that ive definately noticed. Last edited by Pelican170; 08-12-2010 at 02:57 PM.

08-12-2010, 02:59 PM	#2 (permalink)
Jordo! A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2010 Location: nirvana Posts: 6,394 Drives: 2023 NATM Rep Power: 418	Don't romp too hard on the car below 160* F Optimal is 190* - 210F Good is 220 - 230* F > 230* you may lose a little power > 260* - 270* F Potential for some bearing wear; not a big deal unless racing it tho' At 280* F the ECU goes into limp mode (i.e., won't allow you to race it) to prevent the engine damage described above. Individual results may vary. Check your oil level in another 500 miles -- you may need to add up to 1/2 a qt (new engines tend to burn some oil during break in). __________________ Enjoy it. Destroy it. Last edited by Jordo!; 08-12-2010 at 03:03 PM.

08-12-2010, 03:02 PM	#3 (permalink)
m4a1mustang A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 55,385 Drives: on two wheels Rep Power: 6962	To me the car feels best between 180-210ish. Once you get to 220 my butt dyno notices a loss in power. __________________ - Steve Zs & Coffee - Saturdays at 10AM in Fairfax, VA and Columbia, MD (Click the banner!) LIKE us on Facebook! Last edited by m4a1mustang; 08-12-2010 at 03:10 PM.

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08-13-2010, 11:00 AM	#8 (permalink)
Pelican170 Track Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Sandy Hook, CT Posts: 972 Drives: Nissan 370z Nismo Rep Power: 16	Thanks guys, I dont romp on it too much below 160. but those ranges you mentioned seem about right for my car. was at about 190 today and it felt good. Thanks again.

08-13-2010, 11:17 AM	#9 (permalink)
fuct A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: Sugar Land Posts: 3,692 Drives: 97' Ranger :) Rep Power: 24	once i hit the 180 i let her have it.