how does the 2012 factory oil cooler stand up to track/auto x

Bshields22

Do you have a lot of mods? More HP/Tq = more heat?

Bshields22

Really? I have heard that aftermarket oil coolers keep the temps in the low 200's.

I think it really depends on the driver. I drive somewhat hard on the track 2:12 at autoclub ( or at least it feels hard to me ). I think that's fast but there some guys that break 2 min which is crazy. Maybe they melt their own oil cooler lol?

I use Nissan Esther Oil religiously. of all the reviews ive read for Z's i fell like Ester Oil is the most recommended, even though Purple something and some others are recommended as well.

Masterbeatty

AutoX in CT I have not needed an oil cooler. But I open the hood and let it run for 10-15 mins. idol to bring the temps down. But I have yet to see it go higher than 240.

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Spooler

I hit 245-250 on the Dragon this week. Yeap, it does need some attention.

Houston Z33

Oh Brother I know THAT feel - I was up there last month and I had to keep an eye on the Temps.

Hell today I hit 250 ish running with a Lexus IS on the freeway.

Owen

I think the stock 2012 radiator isn't up to the task of cooling the water and oil both. I saw large drops in oil temperature when going to the CSF radiator, and yet again with the CSF triple pass. Typical oil temps in normal driving were less than 200F with the triple pass, down from about 245 with the stock radiator.

Never had a problem auto-xing with a full stock setup.

O

Bshields22

PM's you. These temps were with the stock oil cooler? What mods do you have?

street2soul

stock oil cooler is surprisingly not bad on 13' nismo. In 95F ambient within the first couple hot laps oil will reach 260F~270F but it plateaued there mostly for the next 20 minute session. never hit limp mode but I do cool down on rare occasion. In the cooler days they do slightly better job..

carlitos_370z

My first track time i run with my oem 2013 oil cooler and never hit limp mode... I dont remember how much minute i run... i think as 5 min session almost hit 260º if i dont touch it lool!

Bshields22

Good posts carlito and street. I am doing a track day at autoclub speedway in fontana, CA in Jan. I want to see how the '12 Z hold up with a stock oil cooler first before i go ahead and look into buying an oil cooler. I will post results then

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308 rwhp | 252 rwtq | Fast Intentions CBE 18" Res | Stillen Gen 3 CAI | EcuTek Tune | Stoptech Slotted Rotors and Sport Pads | KW V3 Coilovers | SPL Upper Control Arms & Lower Rear Arms | Seibon CF TS Hood | Vossen CVT | SPC Toe bolts

carlitos_370z

Great dude! enjoy your track day

street2soul

same here. wanted to know what the capabilities of OEM parts were and slowly upgrade the weak links..

honestly, I don't even sweat it at 260F. VQs are fine at that temperature with fully synthetic oil. Honestly I don't think our cars with stock oil cooler run THAT hot as most people make it out to be. 16' Vettes run over 300F on the track. I do start being cautious when I see around 270F. 10+ track days this year in TEXAS but NEVER had limp mode ever. and you definitely won't see limp mode with traffic holding you back.

here's a quick footage
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uo0M00Pe5-I

ban25

With a 34-row cooler in my '09, I typically peak out at 240F on the track, including at ACS. Before that, I was hitting 300F and experiencing severe limp mode. Obviously the 2012+ model years have improved cooling, but I would still be concerned about hitting 260F+ because you are likely to get some reduction in performance even if it's not full on limp mode.

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totopo

On a like ~90 degree day at acs I hit like 230 on warm up, 265ish after first full lap (usually best time) then close to 280 after 2 more full laps, where the engine is noticeably slower, then ran a cool down lap after 3 green laps which usually got it to the 260-265 range. The stock oil cooler definitely does not cut it. I would strongly recommend you plan to have cool-down laps unless you are stuck behind traffic. For a 20 minute session I think I got usually like 5-6 full laps in, not counting first warm up and ending half a lap after checker. So I did warm up, 3 laps, cool down, 1-2 laps, checker i think. Probably better if you plan warm up, 2 laps, cool down, 2-3 laps, checker. I would also recommend you treat your warm up lap like a warm up and not to go crazy and overheat your engine on a useless lap.

According to motoiq, 280F is bad

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edit: apperently can't link to motoiq? just search for their 370z project car.

Bshields22

In my '09 Z i don't recall ever going passed maybe 265ish and same with my '12 Z however my only track day was wet so i pushed it about 85%. I may do one track day all out to get a baseline before I make a commitment. btw, is your video all out like that with oil temps still 260?

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308 rwhp | 252 rwtq | Fast Intentions CBE 18" Res | Stillen Gen 3 CAI | EcuTek Tune | Stoptech Slotted Rotors and Sport Pads | KW V3 Coilovers | SPL Upper Control Arms & Lower Rear Arms | Seibon CF TS Hood | Vossen CVT | SPC Toe bolts