Its not really necessary for HPDEs and track days. Change your oil after the event if you're really concerned.

 

+1

having a HR too ,, I agree that a oil cooler for track purpose is a very god idea to keep the engine life a bit longer

personnaly my Z has around 30 000miles with about 2200kms of track with an average of 30-32 mins no-stop on the track , ive seen 155c as my hightest temp and I use an stillen oil cooler

the engine is still going strong ! *touch wood*

 

We're not sure what it's attributed to, yet, but this is now the second instance of a #5 piston failure from cars that were driven at HPDEs.



Here is a 3rd with an undefined failure after easy driving at an HPDE: https://my350z.com/forum/wanted/4556...ml#post7743732

 

I noticed a power drop off at the end of a track session. Is that due to hot oil?

 

I went to the track last weekend, and had my gauges installed now to see what my temps were. I stayed in 3rd gear most of the track, and stayed near or above 5k rpms. The cars coolant temp read the highest at 210, and the oil temp did get a bit high at 255. It never saw higher than that. It definitely wouldn't hurt to get a oil cooler.

Outside temps were in the 80s.

 

Thanks for all the input guys!

It seems alot of the temperature readings are coming from HRs. Does anyone have on track oil temp readings for DE's?

I'm theorizing that the HR may naturally have slightly higher oil temps due to a slightly higher compression ratio and a higher redline available to the driver. In practice the difference may not be that much tho.

I'd be interested to know if DE drivers are getting up to the 248F marker??

 

just to add another thing to the topic , having seen an higher oil pressure from a different brand of oil , also gave be a higher oil temp on the track

 

I run Synthetic Mobil1 15W-50 in my car because I drive the snot out of it at the track, and generally drive it hard... the biggest thing is to be aware that you can't drive the car hard until it's hot because of the thicker oil.

Anyways I generally run 20-25min sessions on a short shorter track where you are under full acceleration, then full on the brakes again so both the oil and your brakes don't get a chance to cool very well (top speed is 145km/h). I have never had any problems with my engine/oil, just cooking my brakes.

 

I think I'm leaning toward buyin an oil cooler for the same reason that pay car insurance every month.

I prolly won't really need it ... but if I ever do need it then I'll be really happy I have it.

 

Mine is an 03. I probably have greater than 40 track days at Laguna, Infenion, thunderhill and Buttonwillow. The last three years just racing with CFRA which is the same as vintage racing (non contact). I have not had any problems with oil temperatures either. Not running any additional cooling but considering it as a precaution also.

 

Yup , one is going on mine next week. Better safe than sorry. I also mounted one on canadians car last weekend. They definatly help keep the temps low.

 

^ Agreed.

I actually gave in and bought one last night.

Decided to get the GTM kit as it appears there are others on this forum using it with success. Also, it seems to offer good bang for your buck.

I'll have it installed here in Sac at Driving Ambition when it comes in.

 

For the people who say they don't have issues with oil temps how do you know? Do you have gauges, if not, then how do you know? What were your temps?

 

That is the million $$$ question!

 

Telepathy

I'm using a modified oil dipstick with a digital thermo for now.

Planning on using spa's dual guages to monitor coolant/oil temps for a bit more accuracy.

 

Oil pressure. Low viscocity due to high temperature. I don't know know, but I'd love to know. I should really get an oil temp. gauge.

 

I've also noticed that the oil pressure does go down after sessions... but that only tells me that I'm at elevated oil temps and not necessarily problem temps.

 

hmm, i should get an oil cooler too, and oil temp gauge. Would an oil analysis tell if it's too hot after a track day?

 

Well, I was planning on putting together a kit myself, but after running the numbers...

Setrab 19 row oil cooler with -8 fittings $183
-8 Aeroquip Stainless Steel Braided Hose (10ft) $60
Aeroquip 45 Degree Elbow Fitting (4) $73
Mocal Thermostatic Sandwich Plate $93
Mocal 1/2" x -8 ORB fitting (2 pair) $16
GTM Mounting Bracket $30
Shipping $10
Total $465
Plus, I would still have to make the hoses.

Only things you could do to reduce the cost would be to get a less expensive brand cooler, socketless fittings, and rubber/teflon hoses instead of stainless braided. You could skip the thermostatic sandwich plate, but I would not.

However, just noticed GTM charges ridiculous shipping rates.

 

You can do without the mounting bracket, save yourself 30 bucks. 5 dollars in hardware accomplishes the same thing.