Cooling System Upgrade Recommendations
07-09-2009, 08:30 AM
#1
Cooling System Upgrade Recommendations
FML if this has already been answered a couple of times. I tried searching, and couldn't really find the answer I'm looking for.
I'm about to go TT on a stock block. I will be running low boost ( < 8psi on spring pressure.. and I refuse to get a boost controller right now.) untill I build an engine sometime next year. I plan to slowly upgrade everything untill I'm ready to drop in the new block.
My Car:
- 03 Touring 6MT
- ~80k miles, good compression
- a little more than a weekend cruiser, but not a daily driver
- will not be tracked, and has not been tracked since I bought it. I might take it to the strip one day just to get numbers after going FI.
While I'm doing the install, I want to at least upgrade the radiator, too. My question is, is there any other coolant upgrades I should be concerned about before driving on boost? By the time I got done with "well, I might as well get that, too" on Forged's site, I ended up with:
Samco Radiator Hose Kit
Koyo Racing Slim 350Z/G35 Radiator
Nismo Thermostat
Greddy Type-S High Pressure Radiator Cap
Nissan VQ35 Rear Coolant Bypass System
All of those sound reasonable to me, but after the price was ~$1000, I thought I'd ask the question.
This isn't a "budget install" per say, but I'd like to "upgrade-over-time" on as much as possible.
What do you think?
I'm about to go TT on a stock block. I will be running low boost ( < 8psi on spring pressure.. and I refuse to get a boost controller right now.) untill I build an engine sometime next year. I plan to slowly upgrade everything untill I'm ready to drop in the new block.
My Car:
- 03 Touring 6MT
- ~80k miles, good compression
- a little more than a weekend cruiser, but not a daily driver
- will not be tracked, and has not been tracked since I bought it. I might take it to the strip one day just to get numbers after going FI.
While I'm doing the install, I want to at least upgrade the radiator, too. My question is, is there any other coolant upgrades I should be concerned about before driving on boost? By the time I got done with "well, I might as well get that, too" on Forged's site, I ended up with:
Samco Radiator Hose Kit
Koyo Racing Slim 350Z/G35 Radiator
Nismo Thermostat
Greddy Type-S High Pressure Radiator Cap
Nissan VQ35 Rear Coolant Bypass System
All of those sound reasonable to me, but after the price was ~$1000, I thought I'd ask the question.
This isn't a "budget install" per say, but I'd like to "upgrade-over-time" on as much as possible.
What do you think?
Last edited by FineWine; 07-09-2009 at 08:33 AM.
07-09-2009, 09:07 AM
#3
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If you're interested in cutting the cost down a bit, Mishimoto's products are just as good as Koyo (if not better) in quality and much more affordable. Individual brands aside, I think you are good with the coolant system. You may want to look into an external oil cooler as well.
07-09-2009, 09:11 AM
#4
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Yup its needed, get the stuff ,get the other stuff you need for FI.
07-09-2009, 09:36 AM
#5
APS BB twin kit. I'm doing everything except tuning myself, so there's no shop to ask untill it's too late 
EDIT > as in, If I need to do it before my build, I want to do it while I have the engine out for the install.
Thanks! Just found them on Z1. I'll get that radiator, and hoses there.
EDIT > as in, If I need to do it before my build, I want to do it while I have the engine out for the install.If you're interested in cutting the cost down a bit, Mishimoto's products are just as good as Koyo (if not better) in quality and much more affordable. Individual brands aside, I think you are good with the coolant system. You may want to look into an external oil cooler as well.
Last edited by FineWine; 07-09-2009 at 09:38 AM.
07-09-2009, 09:45 AM
#6
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If you're interested in cutting the cost down a bit, Mishimoto's products are just as good as Koyo (if not better) in quality and much more affordable. Individual brands aside, I think you are good with the coolant system. You may want to look into an external oil cooler as well.
OP - skip the NISMO thermostat and honestly
The samco hoses are basically a dressup part - your choice there. Rubber does get hard over time with the heating/cooling cycles of the engine, but the Samco hoses do "sweat" fluid a bit when the car is really pushed hard (I've noticed it during track use).
The oil cooler would be a wise investment if you can find the room for it
The radiator cap again, pure dressup, your call there
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07-09-2009, 10:47 AM
#9
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Even the radiator....I ran the oem one for a long time on my stock block with TT in Florida with no issues. You might as well wait until you pull the motor on your build and then do the radiator.
07-09-2009, 11:27 AM
#13
I ran a logger once and my temps never went more than a few degrees over thermostat temp during an entire hot day of driving, both in slow heavy traffic jams and open stretches. It was 100 degrees outside the whole time (110 with heat index). I am certain though, that the oil cooler makes a pretty big difference in the cooling system's ability to keep temps in check. Much of the extra heat is coming from the turbo's oil return lines.
07-09-2009, 11:37 AM
#14
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+1
I ran a logger once and my temps never went more than a few degrees over thermostat temp during an entire hot day of driving, both in slow heavy traffic jams and open stretches. It was 100 degrees outside the whole time (110 with heat index). I am certain though, that the oil cooler makes a pretty big difference in the cooling system's ability to keep temps in check. Much of the extra heat is coming from the turbo's oil return lines.
I ran a logger once and my temps never went more than a few degrees over thermostat temp during an entire hot day of driving, both in slow heavy traffic jams and open stretches. It was 100 degrees outside the whole time (110 with heat index). I am certain though, that the oil cooler makes a pretty big difference in the cooling system's ability to keep temps in check. Much of the extra heat is coming from the turbo's oil return lines.
This is the truth. Oil cooler is a must. Not so much the other stuff.
I personally did a nismo therm just because there cheap and do help a little.
07-09-2009, 11:45 AM
#15
Blah, you don't need a Stillen oil cooler. Piece one together for much cheaper. I think mine ended up around ~$150.
Since you are doing all the work yourself, you shouldn't have much trouble if you do find your car heating up. I personally went with every cooling option available, less pathfiner mod, and still overheat in the desert. Arg.
Edit: Unfortunately, after two years, my FAL fans crapped out on me. I have the Mishimoto Fan/Shroud on order. Hopefully will be installed early next week. 100+* is killing my car right now
. Oh, my air bubble probably isn't helping either 
Since you are doing all the work yourself, you shouldn't have much trouble if you do find your car heating up. I personally went with every cooling option available, less pathfiner mod, and still overheat in the desert. Arg.
Edit: Unfortunately, after two years, my FAL fans crapped out on me. I have the Mishimoto Fan/Shroud on order. Hopefully will be installed early next week. 100+* is killing my car right now
. Oh, my air bubble probably isn't helping either
Last edited by iStan; 07-09-2009 at 11:51 AM.
07-09-2009, 12:01 PM
#18
My suggestion would be to go with Howe Racing for a radiator if you are on a budget but still looking for high quality. Howe Racing is significantly cheaper than any other radiator out there for the Z and the quality and service are top notch. They are a circle track company primarely which is why you don't hear of them on these boards and why they are cheaper price wise. I have ran three different Howe radiators in my Z. Mine have all been custom ones (which were all under $260 a piece), but they do have a 350z application.
Amazing quality, amazing price and amazing service! By amazing service I mean you can send your radiator in at any time and they can add things such as fittings or custom ports at minimal cost. If you wreck your core, you can send it in and they will replace just the core for a fair price. My friends and I have been using them on our cars for a couple years now and now 928 Motorsports has switched to them because it cost 1/3 the price they were paying for a radiator from another manufacturer.
www.howeracing.com
The guy to talk to is Rick Yancer if your intrested.
Just my two cents.
Amazing quality, amazing price and amazing service! By amazing service I mean you can send your radiator in at any time and they can add things such as fittings or custom ports at minimal cost. If you wreck your core, you can send it in and they will replace just the core for a fair price. My friends and I have been using them on our cars for a couple years now and now 928 Motorsports has switched to them because it cost 1/3 the price they were paying for a radiator from another manufacturer.
www.howeracing.com
The guy to talk to is Rick Yancer if your intrested.
Just my two cents.
Last edited by Quamen; 07-09-2009 at 12:03 PM.
07-09-2009, 09:39 PM
#19
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i also have been debating getting an oil cooler. i just want as many saftey percautions as possible for my engine. obviesly besides my turbo. where did the ppl who do have it end up mounting it. and where do i tap in. can i tap in on my oil pan spacer?? FML if that was a dumb question
07-10-2009, 05:11 AM
#20
+1 on the oil cooler (get a Mocal thermostatic adapter to plumb it in). If you ever build your motor and consider running Evans NPG+ (a must have in my book with built motors running FI), then having an upgraded cooling system with thick radiator becomes a necessity (because Evans dissipates heat poorly compared to water / one of the down sides). While you may not track the car, if you ever decide to push it at an event like ZdayZ, you'll quickly find the limits for the stock cooling system on a FI car.
That said, my coolant temps rarely peak 200, but my oil temps are in the 240s easily when pushing the car. I have every cooling mod. I had to upgrade my trans cooler recently and that helped a lot. Bottom line - buy the largest oil cooler you can fit and put it directly in front of airflow.
That said, my coolant temps rarely peak 200, but my oil temps are in the 240s easily when pushing the car. I have every cooling mod. I had to upgrade my trans cooler recently and that helped a lot. Bottom line - buy the largest oil cooler you can fit and put it directly in front of airflow.