I'm going to be designing a custom engine oil cooler setup for my Z. I'm wondering if I design this system, if people would be interested in purchasing them from me. You will not be required to tap the oil pan for this setup. I'm estimating I could sell them for around $400 with all stainless steel lines. I'm currently in the research process and don't have definite details regarding this, but it would be a much cheaper than current kits which run anywhere from $900 to $1300.

If you would be interested in this setup let me know here in this thread. If response is positive I will go ahead with this project, if not I'll be just doing one for myself.

It will be thermostatically controlled to prevent overcool situations.

 

you can get thermastatic openers that screw into the oil filter and tap it off there...

http://www.racerwheel.com/bm-70259.html


i think thats how im setting up my oil cooler kit.. you can get a complete setup for less than $300

 

What cooler are you going to use? Where can you get a setup for $300 for the 350Z? It would save me a hell of a lot of time and frustration designing it myself.

Looked at that site and that's great if you want to run a remote filter, but I was going to run a sandwich plate adapter so I wouldn't have to relocate the filter.

 

hi jesse,

please email when you have it working...

thanks,
rob

robert@rcreation.no_spam_com (remove no_spam_)

 

Does this increase horsepower at all or is it mainly a safety, engine longevity issue?

 

engine longevity. It is very important, for FI engines because of the increases in blowby that are inevitable.

 

if i had FI, i would take all the preventive maintenance i could get.....

oil cooler
tranny cooler
radiator (upgrade)

better to prevent than wait for something to happen.

victor

 

Oh, someone reminded me of this, but on the adapter plate there will also be a location for an VDO style oil temp sender.

 

Turbocharged engines run much hotter than their NA counterparts. This is due to the higher temperature of the air being forced into the engine and to the fact that more air/fuel is buring in the cylinders (makes more power and more heat).

An oil cooler is an addition to a radiator and it is a BIG reliability issue. My previous experience with cars came with the RX7 (both turbocharged and NA) and they came stock with oil coolers because of how hot the rotary engine runs.

 

Unfortunately, I don't think most people realize how critical an oil cooler is to the life of their engines. High temperatures cause oil breakdown and oil lubrication properties to diminish. Eventually, that will cause bearing wear and engine failure.

Personally, I was shocked that the NA Z did not come stock with one, but that's life.

Bottom line, if you're running your engine hard, have forced induction or care about the life of your engine, you really should look into getting an oil cooler installed.

 

yea.

even if you run synthetic oil with the higher boiling temps, oil cooler is the way to go...

is on the top of my list of safety/longetivity items that is a must..

 

As I have said to you in the past Jesse, "If you build it, I will buy!"

 

Are there any modifications that must be made to run synthetic oil in the Z?

 

what is your stock oil temp at that you feel the cooler is needed? I agree that too high of an oil temp can casue breakdown....but we are talking very very very hot now (a temperature I highly doubt anyone here is reaching, short of an all out race car)

Not raining on the products as it might be very good, but is it needed is my only question....

 

Well, my opinion is that really we don't need one for an N/A Z. Nice to have, but not really needed since I am running synthetic. But I do know, if I was thinking TT, then I would definitely consider buying one.

 

Well, I know that Chebosto ran some N/A baseline temp readings and he saw temps up to 212 F, which for synthetic is no problem because they can see temps as high as 300 F without breakdown.

The problem as I see it is this:

1) If you're running mineral based oils, and depending on the quality of the oil in your car, can start to break down in the 230-250 heat range. Additives and detergents start to "fall out" of the oil and don't do their job of suspending contaminants until they get to the oil filter. With FI, I expect my engine will see temps in and above that range.

2) As oil is used and abused heated and cooled in the engine, the temperature that the oil starts to break down goes down.

3) As the engine wears and blowby inevitably increases, engine oil temps will rise even higher.

4) In addition to increased engine temps from the increased heat of combustion. If you're running a turbocharger, the turbo and some superchargers use engine oil to lubricate the compressor shaft. Turbos run at extremely hot temps and as the oil passes through the turbocharger it picks up that heat and transfers it to the crankcase.

5) Drag racers and AutoX, guys will experience much higher temps than seen by Chebosto in his highway cruising.

My objective is not to stay below the max safe oil temp. It is to keep the oil temps within the optimal temp range of 180-200 F. I don't have to worry about running my engine at WOT in the hot Arizona sun. (where I'll be next year)

So Z1 and little rod have a point, if you are using your N/A car as a daily driver and don't plan on racing or seriously stressing your engines, then you probably don't need an oil cooler. I don't think most people who are considering an oil cooler are those people though.

I apologize if I made it seem like the average Joe Shmoe would need an oil cooler. If you just occasionally race your car on the 1/4 mile you probably don't need one, maybe change to synthetic, but that's it. If you're FI or AutoX then i would definitely get one, but that's just me.

 

Well, I am not lessening the need for an oil cooler. Now the procharger has its own oil I think, but most other forms of FI don't. I still think an oil cooler for a TT is almost a must, although a turbo timer can help a little in that respect also. Problem is, you get to a point where you are told you *need* all this equipment to make your engine run well, and it gets way too expensive to mod your car.

 

Anybody here have a temp gauge? If so how about an install thread

 

I have been to the track twice. The season closes next month and maybe I'll get one more drive in. I'll definitely be going back next year.

The way I drove my car last time (with a newly changed batch of Redline 5w30) was pretty damn hard. I was constantly in the 3000 to 6000 RPM range, and I floored it exiting the apex of most turns.

I'd seriously love to have an oil cooler. When you hook one up, do you need to have a thermostat to only let the oil flow through when it gets warm enough, like a normal radiator? Any good documentation on putting one of these together? I already considered doing so.

If jesseenglish can put something together that's quality and fairly priced then I'd seriously consider it. Otherwise I might build my own this winter.

 

Good post jesseenglish!

I in no means meant to suggest there is no need for one - just that most people won't be reaching that point. Oil temo should always be hotter than water temp, so seeing temps in the 210 range is perfectly normal and withing specs for all dino oils - synthetics, if thats what you use, raises that bar a bit more.

On my other Z, I have not yet done an oil cooler, but the motor gets so much air flow as it is, which definately helps. The VQ motor really is shoehorned in, so I think some form of aux cooler would assist the guys going with more elaborate setups.