Oil Cooler Install and First Service Done by Edmunds.com 04.19.09

AK370Z · 04-19-2009, 04:47 AM

Saw this article in their long term road test blog and thought I would share.

Quote:

Back in November we ran our first Full Test of a 2009 Nissan 370Z. That test car was a short term loan, it was red, and, unlike our long-term test car, it wore aftermarket, Nissan developed oil and differential coolers. During extreme usage, especially track use, oil gets hot. If the VQ in our 370Z senses things getting too hot-- which can happen in as little as 10 minutes-- it sends the car into limp-home mode limiting revs to only 5,500. Limiting this car to 5,500 is like limiting Barry Bonds to bunting, we've never experienced limp-home mode, but we never want to. "If you plan on doing any track driving" our contact at Nissan said, "you'll need one."

So we made some calls and got one and had it installed by Nissan of Santa Monica while the car was in for its 3,750-mile service.

Follow the jump for the full shake-down.

The unit we got was recommended by Nissan as it was designed for the 370Z by Nissan Motorsports. This is not the upcoming NISMO unit, nor will you be able to buy one or have it installed from your local Nissan dealership. The cost of the kit you see here is $780.

Installation was handled by Nissan of Santa Monica working closely with Nissan's North American operations and took about 4-hours at a labor rate of $115/hr. That's $460 for labor and $780 in parts. Total cost for oil cooler and install: $1,240.

Overheating oil was a problem on the last generation Z, too, so this isn't much of a surprise. One of the by-products of bigger power and bigger displacement is bigger heat production. Plus, this new car is stupid fast and with that SynchroRev Match system we're bouncing the revs all over the place. $1,240 might be a hard pill to swallow, but have you priced a new 3.7-liter VQ? We haven't and don't want to.

The 370Z, on the premium maintenance schedule, requires an oil change -- which already had to be drained to install the cooler-- and a new oil filter. They inspect a bunch of other stuff, too, but it's little more than an oil change. Our service advisor at Nissan of Santa Monica remembered us fondly from our recent $2,009.67 GT-R service. He gave us a hand-out on this one, told us to bring the GT-R in again soon and comped the 370's 3,750-mile service cost.

So now we've got new oil and a new oil cooler...which way's the race track?

Mike Magrath, Vehicle Testing Assistant.

Source: 2009 Nissan 370Z Touring: Oil Cooler Install and First Service | Long-Term Road Tests Blog on Edmunds' Inside Line

MannyLJr · 04-19-2009, 10:17 AM

I know the370Z.com is a popular forum, but I think we should comment this story on Edmunds' blog. I'm sure we could double the amount of comments already listed. I put mine this morning. If we raise the volume loud enough, I'm sure Edmunds must respond and use their connections with Nissan to get some real solutions and public acknowledgement of this serious design flaw.

antennahead · 04-19-2009, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AK370Z

Saw this article in their long term road test blog and thought I would share.

Source: 2009 Nissan 370Z Touring: Oil Cooler Install and First Service | Long-Term Road Tests Blog on Edmunds' Inside Line

Read this blog Friday at work. I found this part interesting:

"This is not the upcoming NISMO unit, nor will you be able to buy one or have it installed from your local Nissan dealership."

John

Old Chuck · 04-19-2009, 03:24 PM

That there is not a way to the cooler at this point or that you can not get the one that is going on the Nismo? It would seem that if Edmunds got one installed that it is out there.

rbratton · 04-19-2009, 11:02 PM

In installed my Oil cooler today. It's a Setrab unit that I got as a kit from Stillen for $406. Although Stillen's instructions were lacking the install was straight forward and took me only about five hours. The first think you have to do is pop off the front bumper cover. You do this be removing all of the body fasteners on top under the hood to remove the plastic cover over the radiator, then remove the under tray, the the inner fenders on both sides. I had my car on jack stands with both front wheels removed for ease of access. After you remove the inner fenders, there is one screw in that holds the bumper to the fender; remove this screw on both sides then pull the front bumper cover away from the fenders starting at the fender well. You have to pull firmly as the bumper cover is "snapped" into little plastic clips below the headlights and at the left and right corners. After you pop both sides loose, the front bumper cover comes right off and then you can remove the foam that is left behind.

The next step is to relocate the power steering fluid cooler as its' stock location is too far forward and will interfere with the oil cooler. First remove the hose clamps on both ends of the hoses and remove the two flexible hoses. I found it helpful to undo the two mounting hangers that fastened the hoses to the car. Then I used a dremel to slice the hoses and they slid right off. I used the provided clamps to move the cooler back and toward the driver. I had to drill two holes (one in the metal upright in front of the radiator and one in the plastic radiator support on the bottom. After I mounted the cooler, I marked and cut new hose (supplied) to length. Then I put all the hoses back on and re-installed the stock clamps. The system was drained so I had to refill the power steering fluid resevoir.

Here is a picture of the relocated oil cooler.

RCZ · 04-19-2009, 11:08 PM

rbratton...

Stillen OIL COOLER, Headers, Catback and Light Weight Pulley (Pictures A-plenty)

I changed the setup a bit. Check it out.

also i found this very interesting

"The unit we got was recommended by Nissan as it was designed for the 370Z by Nissan Motorsports. This is not the upcoming NISMO unit, nor will you be able to buy one or have it installed from your local Nissan dealership. The cost of the kit you see here is $780."

That means that there is an upcoming NISMO unit....thanks Nissan for designing a sportscar that doesn't do the one thing its supposed to do as a sportscar. I'm not going to rant, but the guys from Edmunds got ripped offffff big time. Thats hilarious.

rbratton · 04-19-2009, 11:12 PM

The next step was to mount the oil cooler. Before I did that, I spent a lot of time figuring out how to run the oil lines. The instructions called for one line to run around the drivers side and one on the passenger side. This may work in the G37, but the lines were not long enough to run around the drivers side on the Z car. The first picture shows how the oil cooler lines are bolted to the Setrab unit. The other pictures show how I routed the lines. Basically, I ran them right along the power steering fluid cooler lines.

rbratton · 04-19-2009, 11:14 PM

The next step was to attach the adapter plate to the engine block. I didn't tighten it initially. After I snugged it, I hooked up the oil lines and then rotated it up before I tightened the sleeve. Make sure your oil cooler clears before you tighten down the oil lines.

rbratton · 04-19-2009, 11:18 PM

Next I made sure all of my lines were tight, not rubbing on anything and tied down well. Then I filled up with new oil (5w30 mobile 1) and started up the car. I let it run for about 30 minutes while I checked for leaks. Luckily I didn't find any. Then I put the front bumper cover back on, the inner fenders, and the wheels.

rbratton · 04-19-2009, 11:20 PM

It was a fairly simple job that most people can do alone. As far as oil temps go, I drove around for twenty minutes tonight as spirited as my girlfriend would allow. The ambient temp was 65F and the oil temp stayed between 180F and 185F. I'm taking it to the track on May 2nd for an HPDE event and I'll let you know how it works out.

RCZ · 04-19-2009, 11:29 PM

Interesting, I guess you followed the directions to the t.

travisjb · 04-20-2009, 02:42 AM

nice work!
power steering cooler looks a little cramped back there

oh and regarding "but have you priced a new 3.7-liter VQ? We haven't and don't want to..." I hear it's $9-11K installed

alan93rsa · 04-20-2009, 12:45 PM

I wouldn't want braided SS lines touching aluminum lines. The SS braided line can wear the aluminum lines. Best to isolate the lines with a rubber sleeve.

RCZ · 04-20-2009, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by travisjb

nice work!
power steering cooler looks a little cramped back there

oh and regarding "but have you priced a new 3.7-liter VQ? We haven't and don't want to..." I hear it's $9-11K installed

lmao

Thats why I moved the power steering to the other side. Didnt make sense to keep it there with all the room on the other side. Not to mention it can be easily upgradeable with a longer core if I ever need to..

Anymnapenue · 04-20-2009, 02:51 PM

Hi, I'm new to this forum.

I really hope I'll get a chance to be a moderator some day

04-19-2009, 03:24 PM	#4 (permalink)
Old Chuck Base Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Florida & SC Posts: 86 Drives: 05 Tundra& 02 Subaru Rep Power: 16	Does this mean That there is not a way to the cooler at this point or that you can not get the one that is going on the Nismo? It would seem that if Edmunds got one installed that it is out there.

04-19-2009, 11:08 PM	#6 (permalink)
RCZ A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Miami Posts: 6,403 Drives: '09 370Z Rep Power: 1119	rbratton... Stillen OIL COOLER, Headers, Catback and Light Weight Pulley (Pictures A-plenty) I changed the setup a bit. Check it out. also i found this very interesting "The unit we got was recommended by Nissan as it was designed for the 370Z by Nissan Motorsports. This is not the upcoming NISMO unit, nor will you be able to buy one or have it installed from your local Nissan dealership. The cost of the kit you see here is $780." That means that there is an upcoming NISMO unit....thanks Nissan for designing a sportscar that doesn't do the one thing its supposed to do as a sportscar. I'm not going to rant, but the guys from Edmunds got ripped offffff big time. Thats hilarious. Last edited by RCZ; 04-19-2009 at 11:12 PM.

04-20-2009, 12:45 PM	#13 (permalink)
alan93rsa Enthusiast Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Ohio Posts: 412 Drives: 16 Cayman GT4 Red Rep Power: 220	I wouldn't want braided SS lines touching aluminum lines. The SS braided line can wear the aluminum lines. Best to isolate the lines with a rubber sleeve. __________________ 16 Cayman GT4, Carmine Red, Buckets, PCCB etc.

04-20-2009, 02:51 PM	#15 (permalink)
Anymnapenue Base Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Cyprus Posts: 1 Drives: Anymnapenue Rep Power: 16	Hey, I'm new to this forum :) Hi, I'm new to this forum. I really hope I'll get a chance to be a moderator some day

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04-19-2009, 10:17 AM	#2 (permalink)
MannyLJr Base Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: San Diego, California Posts: 12 Drives: 2004 Mazda RX-8 GT Rep Power: 16	I know the370Z.com is a popular forum, but I think we should comment this story on Edmunds' blog. I'm sure we could double the amount of comments already listed. I put mine this morning. If we raise the volume loud enough, I'm sure Edmunds must respond and use their connections with Nissan to get some real solutions and public acknowledgement of this serious design flaw.

04-19-2009, 11:20 PM	#10 (permalink)
rbratton Base Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Vine Grove, KY Posts: 89 Drives: 2009 370Z Rep Power: 16	It was a fairly simple job that most people can do alone. As far as oil temps go, I drove around for twenty minutes tonight as spirited as my girlfriend would allow. The ambient temp was 65F and the oil temp stayed between 180F and 185F. I'm taking it to the track on May 2nd for an HPDE event and I'll let you know how it works out.

04-19-2009, 11:29 PM	#11 (permalink)
RCZ A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Miami Posts: 6,403 Drives: '09 370Z Rep Power: 1119	Interesting, I guess you followed the directions to the t.

04-20-2009, 02:42 AM	#12 (permalink)
travisjb A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: GSO Posts: 2,803 Drives: VIR Rep Power: 188	nice work! power steering cooler looks a little cramped back there oh and regarding "but have you priced a new 3.7-liter VQ? We haven't and don't want to..." I hear it's $9-11K installed