Should I get an oil cooler?

UNKNOWN_370

If your car has never gone above 250 degrees? you're good to go. The second i see over 250? I'd consider one. If you're not competing in any sport and haven't been aggressive enough on the car to get high oil temps. cooler not needed. On the street you can control oil temps with good throttle control and a high quality synthetic. Without my cooler i was able to drop oil temps by making sure the car steady cruises no higher than 2,750rpm. inside of 10-15 min, you'll drop 10-20 degrees. You can drive this car hard and not hit limp mode if you take cool down laps or rides. But if you're seriously competing... The oil cooler is a must. There is no cool down lap in a competition till it's all said and done.

I have one cuz i drive hard... really hard.

falconfixer

Installed a 25 row from Z1 Motorsports this weekend and am happy with the results. Was hitting 250-260 in southern MD when we were getting high 90s outside. Install took about 5 hours in my driveway.

anthonyy

wow 5 hrs... unseen complications? I'm planning a DIY for this one.

falconfixer

Actually I have to say this is one of the few installs I've done on vehicles that went without any hiccups. It seems there is always something that goes wrong or what not. Peice of cake with this one, tho

I posted up a DIY in this morning if you want to look it over and there are a few other ones in that section that helped me out as well.

bvl

Car is not in limp mode, so performance should be exactly the same. You got some empirical data here? Besides the feel good butt dyno

For a street car if you are < 230 in the hot you are fine. Folks who track there cars have different thermal requirements and its a good investment.

100 deg, AC on, and my 2010 never goes above 225. I see temps creep up 5deg during stop and go while the HW seems to be steady at 220 in the very warm.

< 80 deg and normal temps are 210-215F.

I run 5/30 Pennzoil Ultra, FWIW.

- b

chops

i also run penzoil ultra 5w/30. however, ive noticed that once you hit the 220 degree range, the ECU starts to pull timing. you can definitely tell there is some lost power. its not limp mode, no thats at 260 degrees, but there is definitely something different going on at 220 degrees. since installing the 25 row this weekend, temps stay in the 180-190 range and its MUCH better

UNKNOWN_370

I've never felt any power loss between the 220 and 250 range. actually, optimum temps on this car imho is the 220-230 range. doesn't make sense.

robones

Isnt 180 -190 temps on the really cold side for normal every day driving? An oil cooler is really meant if you track your car but its NOT needed if you use your car for normal commuting. Hell, even if you drive a little spirited, yes, you may go over 220 to perhaps 240 MAYBE even 250 but how long can you drive "spiritedly" and not have to come to a full stop on the streets? traffic lights, other cars, pedestrians LOL. Your car will have time to cool off again. It takes only a few minutes for it to come back down in temps.

This engine is meant to be hot, the spark plugs are designed to run hot, the engine is designed to run hot. The oil is designed to provide optimum protection at temperatures above 200. Otherwise, you are risking premature wear and engine sludge build up. Over time, this will lead to higher emmissions, lower MPGs, lower engine performance and throttel response.

You can try to put a plate infront of your oil cooler to keep it from cooling too much and take it off when you go to the tracks.

falconfixer

I think we should complement this discussion with a debate of which oil should be used with an oil cooler.

So I'l bite. Link to where credible,scientific data shows 180-190 is bad for the oil and 220 is the sweet spot for this engine?

Davey

Where is the credible evidence that says 240 - 250 degrees is a problem?

falconfixer

I haven't seen anything to state that either, Davey. just a lot of folks spouting off something they heard from a friend who knows a mechanic who heard it on the interwebs.

Me, I sleep good that the oil is a little cooler and if I sludge the hell out of the internals or blow the engine I promise to post it up.

sexZness

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jpritche

Anything under 300 degrees is pussy shit.

Just kidding, but honestly if there wasn't a gauge right in front of our face I don't think half the people would have an oil cooler. Just my two cents though.

DarkJak

Agreed. If I am driving hard, I am feeling too many G's from turns and braking to notice any decrease in power from higher temps. If it weren't for the gauge, I wouldn't know any better till I hit 280/limp mode. Also, for me, the jump in driving style to raise it from 260 to 270 is huge. I'd be driving just under all-out-balls-to-the-wall on a tight road.

However, I think the issue would be immediately present if I track my car. Lengths are longer and turns are wider, which would mean I'd be on the throttle much more and usually all the way down. This would be why it'd be good to install a cooler.

KaienZ34

The only reason they didn't have a oil temp problem in the 350 was because.....no oil temp gauge. The same goes for many many other vehicles, no gauge no problem.

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