I’ve designed an engine oil cooler kit for the 350Z, and it is currently in the testing phase. I’m wondering how much interest there is in such a kit. I’m currently targeting a price of $500, but this number is subject to change. This is more expensive than the Stillen kit, but this kit uses higher quality components and also offers a remote oil filter mount and thermostat bypass, which is not available with Stillen’s kit.

Features:

- Setrab radiator core for race/track applications (13" x 5.75" x 2")
- Mocal radiator core for street applications ($50 less, size to be determined)
- Aeroquip stainless steel hose and fittings
- Remote oil filter mount
- Thermostat bypass (explained below)

Target Price: $500

Background:

The modern piston engine takes a constant, serious beating. Engine oil is the only thing standing in the way between a healthy engine and catastrophic engine failure. When driving hard, engine oil temperatures can rise dramatically, especially when the car is subjected to race or track conditions, or in forced induction (super/turbo-charged) applications. When motor oil is heated beyond its operating temperature range (typically 180-210* F), it begins to break down and the oil performance degrades rapidly. Oil coolers help this situation by providing an air-oil radiator core to cool the oil to normal operating temperature.

In the 350Z, Cheston has already noted that an oil pan with cooling fins makes a significant difference in engine oil temperature. Power Extreme has found engine oil temperature important enough that it includes the oil pan with its twin-turbo kit. Greddy, ATI, Vortech, and the other forced induction vendors do not have provisions for oil cooling with their kits, and several people are running above the recommended levels of boost. This has the potential to raise oil temperatures significantly.

Thermostat Bypass:

One important feature in this kit is the thermostat bypass. The thermostat will allow 95% of the engine oil to bypass the oil cooler until it reaches 180* F, which is the low end of the engine oil operating temperature range. This helps the engine to warm-up to operating temperature as quickly as possible. Furthermore, when engine oil is cold, it is thick and viscous. Forcing cold oil through a radiator core will radically increase oil pressure and could potentially cause the cooler to burst, or could starve the engine of oil, if the pump cannot handle the increase in pressure. In addition, 5% of the engine oil still flows to the cooler, preventing thermal shock when the oil reaches 180* F and the thermostat opens up completely. The Stillen 350Z oil cooler, while less expensive than this kit, does not include this feature.

Remote Filter Mount:

This kit relocates the oil filter to a new location, of the user’s choice. Depending on the location, it is possible to install a larger filter on the remote mount, which can increase filtration capacity, improve filtration efficiency, and reduce backpressure on the oil flow.

 

Sounds good. PICS!

 

Sounds very nice, a few questions though.

Where will the core be mounted? And are the lines run from the oil filter? Will they interfere with the intake piping of turbo systems?

 

Core mount location:

On a naturally-aspirated car, the core will be mounted against the radiator. I haven't yet worked out a location for a forced-induction setup, but assuming there are 2 inches of space between the radiator and intercooler, it could still be mounted in the same location. Otherwise, it could be mounted in front of the intercooler.

Alternatively, you can mount the cooler farther back in the chassis (i.e. near the transmission), and mount a thermostat-controlled fan on it instead of using passive air flow. This reduces the length of the lines and should correct the small reduction in oil pressure. This would increase the cost, but would simplify mounting in the cramped engine bay somewhat. Stillen's kit mounts at the front of the car, so I see no reason why not to use this solution.

Oil line routing:

Aeroquip stainless steel lines run from an adapter on the stock filter location to the remote filter, through the thermostat, then through the cooler core, and back to the engine.

Turbo intake piping:

I see no reason why it would interfere with the intake piping of a turbo kit, especially with the remotely mounted oil filter. I'll look into how the turbo affects mounting after I finish the N/A kit.

 

Sounds good! Pics for sure! keep us updated.

 

Sounds good.... Pics please

 

Pics please when you have them.

 

As soon as the test fitment is complete, I will post pictures. Right now, all I could post is pictures of the parts, which isn't particularly interesting.

I'm sure everyone has already seen what an oil cooler radiator core looks like.

 

definitely interested, but not for 500.

 

I won't pay more than 200 for an oil cooler and 100 for a tranny cooler. Interested in both but not at that price so I chose somewhat. Being honest, please don't hate.

 

The only way the price can drop is if I choose lower quality components, or remove functionality.

Setrab is a well known cooler manufacturer that supplies cooler cores to racing teams worldwide. They have a great reputation, and I think their reputation is well-deserved. They make great equipment.

Aeroquip lines and fittings are also very expensive, but they also have a well-deserved reputation for quality parts.

Furthermore, I believe the thermostat is a key feature for the kit, and I would not recommend running a cooler without one.

Without dropping part quality or features, I can't really lower the price. Keep in mind, I'm currently saying $500 to be conservative until I complete testing and finalize the pricing. I'm hoping to do better.

Also, I will offer a version of the kit with a less expensive cooler from B&M or Mocal, for possibly $50-100 less.

$200 is being somewhat unrealistic for a good quality oil cooler setup, 12secZ, but if you can find one for that price, kudos to you.

 

bump

 

Sounds like a great idea. An oil cooler can add tremendously with heat management. One suggestion:

One of the biggest benefits of an oil cooling system is with forced induction vehicles. I would like to see a product that can still be mounted with a front intercooler in place as well. I would hate to have to choose between an IC and an OC. Just my $0.02.

In terms of price, it really all depends on how high a quality product you want to put out. $500-600 seems reasonable if you have a truly superior quality product. Then again, you need to know your market. People who are putting SC's and turbos on their cars can probably afford it and would be willing to pay. On the other hand, the bulk of the market for this car can't afford that.

 

I would def be interested in it...would also like to see pictures..my email is vwsales123@aol.com

 

I would be interested in it, assume it will fit a G35 5AT coupe? I also need a tranny cooler. Keep me update my email is cbruce@chrisbruceloans.com

 

Yes i am interested i will be going F/I route this winter and im sure an oil cooler would be a good idea any way when you get it finished any chance us colorado guys can come take a look???

 

Bumpety bump bump...I'd like to see more details, pics, etc. as well.

 

I plan on spending so me time on on the track this Summer,(VIR & Road Atlanta) and I will definately be looking for an oil cooler. I need to find one that 1. I can rely on that is simple in design and fuction and 2. Someone I can trust if this thing goes south or affects my car negatively. I could never condone bolting a part on the Z that will not enhance the performance in any way. So if you really stand by your newest creation that much then maybe I'm interested.

 

I would be interested in the $300 price point. I dont need the thermostate bypass...I will just drive gently until the oil warms up. All I really desire is steel lines and fittings and whatever adaptors are necessary to make it all work.

Earls fittings are also excellent quality....maybe they are cheaper?? not really sure.

 

sorry guys, I haven't visited my350z in a few days, missed the bump in the thread.

I have the prototype kit ready, except for the stainless steel hose. The hose I received was flawed, and I had to have it replaced. It is currently en route, via UPS. I was very disappointed to have this happen, because I'm very excited to finish the kit and release pictures.

When I finish receiving all the parts, I will photograph the kit in part form, and I will take a large number of pictures during and after installation.

I also plan to record oil temperatures on the street and track with and without the cooler to demonstrate actual performance. There is no sense in selling the kit on promises alone -- I know I would prefer to see numbers, and I feel my customers would too.

There seems to be some concern about the price point. As with anything in the automotive world, you get what you pay for. Stillen is offering a kit somewhere around $360. Their kit doesn't have a thermostatic bypass, which is a huge difference. They also use plain rubber hoses and brass fittings. It doesn't necessarily make a big performance difference, but stainless steel is a lot higher quality and adds to the appearance.

If you wish to purchase a lower priced kit without these features, Stillen may be the answer. I'm trying to produce a top-end kit for cars that are raced hard on the track in high temperatures and can take the abuse. To that end, I'm using high-quality parts, and they unfortunately come at a slightly higher price. I feel it's worth it.

gq - as far as going without the thermostatic bypass.. I do not plan to offer a kit without the thermostat. Oil has a narrow temperature range in which it performs optimally. Until the oil warms up, it is not doing its job of lubricating the engine well. If the oil is passing through a large air-oil cooler, the oil takes a much longer time to warm up and puts your engine at risk in the meantime. I don't feel comfortable selling a kit that puts the engine at risk -- the whole point of the cooler is to reduce engine wear, not accelerate it. Plus, who wants to spend 15 minutes driving like a grandma? That's not why you upgraded your car.