Everybody tracking their Z has an oil cooler?
 

I'm considering a 2009 370Z with the sport package that I would like to bring to the track occasionally. I'm planning to simply drive it at good pace working on my lines and was wondering if this could be possible without an oil cooler.

adding an oil cooler is like 300 dollars isn't that much and yes every Z tracking has an oil cooler as we'd hit peak oil temps fairly fast

You will exceed max ECU permitted oil temps in 1.5 laps if pushing hard.

Add a cooler for safety and peace of mind if nothing else.

I'm planning to go at Calabogie Motorsport Park which is located 8 hour north of NY.

https://teslamotorsclub.com/tmc/atta...4_n-jpg.57837/

It's possible. But you will find yourself hitting limp mode very quickly. It is very likely even on your 1st track day you will find yourself in your 1st session of the day just feeling things out not really getting to the point where you'll hit limp mode. It won't be long though before the temperature rises through the day and you start to improve, braking later, accelerating sooner, harder and...then you hit 260 degrees F and that's when you wish you got an oil cooler. Limp mode will limit you to ~3500 RPM and you'll be cruising around the track like a grand mother. Please understand the oil cooler will NOT eliminate LIMP MODE. It will only delay it, providing you a buffer that allows you to get a couple more hot laps out there before the inevitable happens.

If you think you even have the slightest bit of competitiveness in you or are really passionate about motorsports, I would get a 34 row oil cooler ASAP.

Nice looking track. :yum: :driving:

Get yourself a 34 row cooler. Soon as the blood starts to flow. You'll be pushing it hard.

I tracked my 40th twice last year (Watkins Glen, NY and Nelsons Ledges, OH) and do not have an oil cooler. I never came close to limp mode, (even after 20 straight minutes of track time). It was in September and was not real hot, but still never got anywhere near 260. Of course, all cars and tracks are different, so maybe I just lucked out.

If I do this more often, especially when it gets to be in the 80's, I would probably get one. Rather have it than need it than the other way around.

These cars need at least one if you are going to track it. You might get away with it a few times if you are far from pushing the car but it's just a matter of time. Track days are not much fun if you spend all day it the pits with a car that is overheating.


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I've yet to track my car but, I still added a 25R gtm cooler just for spirited canyon driving.

Trust us, you're gonna want/need one if you're pushing the car at all.

Oil cooler = More fun without worrying

It's cheap insurance. Get one.

It will become necessary 100% if you start getting decently fast. You might not need one right away, but it is inevitable if you continue tracking. In higher temp areas, we run CSF triple pass radiator, some guys use 2 oil coolers. Anything to get rid of engine/oil heat = good, and in our case very necessary. Even the street guys in SoCal usually run 25 rows.

I wouldn't recommend anything less than a 34-row cooler, and given that you're in Canada, a thermostatic plate would be recommended as well. Most coolers, including from Fast Intentions and Z1 Motorsports have this. In the SoCal heat at Buttonwillow last year, I couldn't even make one lap without overheating before adding a cooler!

I have a 25 row and it takes the heat in Texas. I haven't hit limp mode so far. I also recommend changing your diff fluid to high temp as well as your transmission fluid if you have a MT. I use Red Line 57904 (75W90) Synthetic Gear Oil for the rear end and Red Line (50504) MT-85 75W-85 GL-4 Manual Transmission fluid. Also don't forget Brake fluid (Motul RBF 600 Racing Brake Fluid is good) because going fast is fun but loosing brakes is not and it looks like that track has a lot of trees that will slow you down.

:iagree: My first track day in the Z I did it with out the oil cooler... just the oem oil cooler that comes in the 12+ 370z and I never get in limp mode and I have a lot of fun :driving: ... With that said.... after that track day I buy the Stillen 25 rows oil cooler kit and trust me, it was one of the best mods that I did to my Z! Unfortunately a damn rock hit the oil cooler core and I have to take it off :shakes head: But for sure im going to buy another core hahaha!