I am looking for suggestions on oil coolers for a 350Z Nismo. I know nothing about them except for the fact that it is going to keep the oil cool

Anyway, some questions

1. What is the criteria for choosing the number of rows in an oil cooler?
2. I am posting some links based on another member who did these mods for his Nismo. Do you guys have any other suggestions? I also came across a Stillen Cooling Kit but its got a NOTE about it not fitting on cars with long aftermarket intakes like INJEN.

For instance Z1 sells complete oil cooling kits for 370 but they don't have any listed for 350

3. Any special consideration to install these in a 350Z Nismo. I've read about have to work around or take out the dampener in the front. I would prefer not to move any of them if possible. So want to choose cooler based on this


- Spa Dual Guage (Oil Temp / Water Temp)
- Setrab Series 6 19-Row Oil Cooler
- Sandwich Plate - Not sure which one will fit
- GReddy Adjustable Universal Guage Mount (52mm)

Finally, how important is a PS Cooler?

I track my car and am doing about 10 track days a year. This is my second year doing this.

 

I'm using a B&M oil cooler in mine, basically built my own kit. PS cooler, very needed.

 

I am not good with installs and stuff. I will be getting this installed by a shop. So, am basically looking for a suggestions on what works and what doesn't. And stuff like why I am choosing a certain type.

 

As for PS:

Just review my DIY and hand take a power steering cooler (ie, tranny cooler) purchased from an autoparts store to your installer, let him figure out the mounting, etc...

They can get it done easily, and you can save some coin from dropping on a name brand ps cooler kit...

same for the oil cooler as well..

-J

 

Thanks Jason looked at your thread HERE

So, the way I understand this the shop has to be creative to make this work. I am always doubtful about scenarios like those as then you have a thousand ways to do it and I wouldn't know if the shop did it right.

I also tried look up a few PS coolers and didn't find much except for the one link that was posted by someone in your thread

Now looking at the pictures it looks like the CORE that you used has more loops than the PS Coolers. The PS coolers seems to have one U-shaped core that's it and you have two loops. What about space concerns when the CORE has extra loops like that?

Also, I am sure extra loops means more cooling? I couldn't find a price on NISMO PS Cooler but if I were to buy brand name PS Coolers what options do I have and what's the price difference? If the difference if $50 and the shop spends $50 on getting a generic one MAKE-WORK for the car I might as well buy the brand name one. That way it will be a straight forward install. I understand how it will be favorable in DIY situation but my case is different as I can't do it myself

 

Deepu you know we (Brian/Aj/Lee/myself) can always do it for you. That way you'll see how it gets done and make any changes you want.

 

yes, more loops more cooling.......even the one i purchased for 30 bucks at autozone came with the same mounts as the other linked....

I dont know your car/configuration to know exactly what to suggest, but trust me, these PS cores are not big buddy.........go to a local autostore and open a box and check it out......you can get them installed anywhere.

the pull through zip tie like plastic rods they come with are designed to mount directly onto the condensor/radiator core..........I opted to make my own mount is all......

If you trust those guys mechanic abilities I WOULD JUMP ON THAT! Everyone that has had me work on their car loves that they get to see what exactly is going on and you get to know whats all involved.........it gives a piece of mind to knowing what was done and how..

-J

 

Take it to a shop that builds race cars (cars that require a helmet every time they are driven). They would tend to have the most experience setting up and plumbing oil cooling systems. That's not to disparage the folks in this forum who have done this successfully. Choosing a real race shop will just improve your odds of getting it done right.

Also, its important to determine the pressure drop across the cooler and the cooler plumbing. Some coolers are surprisingly restrictive and you'll see a 10 to 15 psi drop once everything is installed.

Setrab and Mocal are two of the best air to oil heat exchangers. Niagra makes very good coolant to oil heat exchangers.

 

I have a stillen unit... it has a seatrab core and is as big as a civic radiator.

 

If you are tracking the car additional cooling of oil & p/s fluid is a must!!! The 19 row Setrab should work well, but under extreme conditions a second cooler may be needed. For p/s I used an Earl's cooler for the added capacity.

 

I'd ask the shop to spec you a setup with some options on name brand vs generic cores. I'd go name brand on the oil cooler (setrab, mocal, earls, etc.) and probably generic on PS. I am running a 25 row Mocal w/ sandwich plate on my Nismo at the track and would recommend at least 25 rows since I still hit 240-250 on hot day (Denver 90F+ ambient, low humidity). I'm DIY install but removed the damper because it was an easier to install there. I don't have an aftermarket PS cooler, but don't have boilover issues at the tracks I go to.

Any vids? See my YouTube channel in my signature.

 

I'm currently using a hybrid system with a core that is roughly a 8" - 11". The lines were fairly inexpensive and are rated to 450 degree and 350 PSI. Here are some suggestions...

-NISMO kit
-GTM kit
-Stillen Kit (but I kinda think the fittings seem small)

Pieced kit
Core - Setrab or Earls
Adapter - Mocal thermostatic (some say thermostatic plates are useless in warm climates)
Lines - Summit Racing
AN Fittings - Summit Racing
Should be able to piece one together for $250-$350 depending on where you splurge.

 

Easiest I found if youre not running a FMIC, is to hang it off your front bumper or use the GTM setrab kit to attach the cooler to the lower part of your radiator core support. I ended up hanging the 19row off the passenger side front bumper as the nismo dampers get in the way. I can send some pics if your interested, just pm me.

The mocal thermostatic plate works just fine. I picked up a generic one and tossed it in the trash after seeing the casting quality.

Regarding race shops, unless your cars is 100% race my experience is they don't want to touch it. Maybe that's just california or I'm not saying pretty please nice enough? Either way Ive had little succcess on special projects such as this around the bay area.

 

I see you're in Michigan. Are air temps really that high that oil temperatures are a problem for regular "track days"?

 

Actually, I don't drive this car in winter. I do some street driving but the car is mostly used at track days OR driving to inspections etc. Most of the track days that I do in MI are around 80-90F and some 95F+ days.

How many rows of oil cooling do I need?
I am not sure about this. Should I go 19 OR 25?

 

PM sent ... please send me the pics

FMIC --> Front Mounted Inter Cooler? I dunno My car is stock

 

Ofcourse, it's just that next few weeks are busy for everyone and I wasn't sure if we will be able to find time to get it done before the next track day.

 

Can you look at my original post in the thread and let me know if I need anything else while piecing this oil cooling kit?

Also,

- What is a Sandwich Plate? What does it do?

EDIT - did some reading - A sandwich plate mounts between the engine block and the oil filter to allow the addition of an oil cooler without relocation of the filter ??

- What do the number of fittings on an oil cooler indicate? Which one should I get?

 

Have you not gone to see Rob at ZCG? They will do anything custom.

 

FYI... Setrab has dimensions and application information here: http://www.setrabusa.com/pdf/ProLine-Dims-Apps.pdf