*AE Performance Oil Cooler Kit*

wavehogger

So I was browsing the AE news and saw this update pasted below about the 370z still overheating (280 degrees) at the Redline Attack with reference to having an oil cooler? Can you guys at AE explain what happened there.

I'm still in the research phase of deciding which one to get and I really want to make the right choice here. Your's is pricey but if it can keep it cool on a 95 degree day at the track, then I'll spend the extra $$.

I am in New England and I will be driving my car in some cooler and wider ranging temps (40's - 90's) and want the most cooling as possible without worrying about reaching a decent temp. I haven't found anyone reviewing it yet online who has actually installed it. And your website still doesn't have it listed in the products section nor does it have any installation instructions/info just so I can see what's what. Thanks in advance!

"Paul Dentice in the AE Performance 370z takes 1st at Spring Mountain

Recap by Paul D.
Spring Mountain was a first for the AE crew and with 18 turns it was anything but easy to figure out the fast way through the course, but fortuneately NV locals including Mike and the Double Down crew were super cool in lending a helping hand.

On track the car felt rock solid. The AE preped JIC dampers allowed for late apexing and a planted rear end through the high speed sections even with the old tires we were on. (3 track days).

We switched to Ferodo RS3000 pads for our AP brakes that ended up being a bit too aggressive in the rear but a quick swap to a milder Mintex pad in the rear settled the car much more and was easier to keep stright under hard braking.

Heat was a major issue for everyone. With the Oil Cooler upgrade we were still only able to complete 1 hot lap before the oil temps hit 280deg and the car wouldn’t rev past 5k rpm’s.

After all was said and done, We were all really impressed with the Z. With viturally no power mods out-side of a Stillen intake and Mine’s Flash we were solely relying on the Z’s chassie to pull through for us and it did! Rich placed 5th in Modified RWD Class in the GT2, GTR (DNF),and I grabbed top honors in SS RWD class with the Z, and was able to make the 4.5hr drive back to the OC without a hick-up."

Paul@AEperformance

Good eye!

This was all before we developed our own kit and were running other manufactures kits. Spring Mountain was the 2nd cooler kit we tired from another company that only allowed 1 hot-lap. We tired one more kit on the market after that and then deiced to just build our own kit.

We have had nothing but 100% satisfaction from all of our customers that run out kit.

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SoCal 370Z

You'd probably get more takers if you were to show potential buyers the kit installed with the nose off (showing how it is arranged) and with the nose on to demonstrate what it looks like through the grill opening.

I do like the fact that it is along similar lines as ARC's and Central 20's.

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ZForce

I thought the same reading the blog and then noticed the date of the blog was Sept 30, 2009 and it looks like they released the oil cooler in Dec 2009.

ZForce

^ In for some pics.

ChrisSlicks

Where are the lines assembled and what size are they?

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Hotchkis ARB | Stillen CAI | Art Pipes | Berk CBE | Stillen AP Racing Brakes | AE Performance Oil Cooler | BC Racing ER Coilovers | Doran Control Arms

djohnson1967

Hello: Do you have installation instructions that you can post or e-mail to me? What about the pricing? Can I still get the member deal of $995? I you sent at least 4 kits already. Let me know what you can do on the price. Thanks

Paul@AEperformance

Hi guys,

Just wanted to get back to everyone on some questions that came up.

All lines are professionally assembled by Earls, Pressure tested and guaranteed! Size is -8

Kits come with install instructions. And yes as a THE370Z member you can get the member pricing!

You won't be dissapointed! I will post some install pic's for you and as I mentioned the kits all come with instructions.
This kit will work w/ Stillen Gen 3 intakes No Problem. Same intake we run on our car

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Paul@AEperformance

Thanks, Double Down Mike for your order.

Your kit is on it's way!

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ChrisSlicks

Thanks for the info Paul.

I have to say I'm a little surprised by the -8 line size given the high flow rate though the oil system in this car, but I'm sure you've done your homework.

Is there bypass protection in the adapter plate?

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Hotchkis ARB | Stillen CAI | Art Pipes | Berk CBE | Stillen AP Racing Brakes | AE Performance Oil Cooler | BC Racing ER Coilovers | Doran Control Arms

wavehogger

I am on the verge of purchasing one myself and would like to see the installation instructions and some pics. And will this fit ok with the Stillen Gen 3 intakes? Thanks

wavehogger

I did my install this weekend. I was on and off it all weekend but total time is about 4 hrs if you take your time. I have some info/tips for those interested and here is a link to the photos they sent me (1-24) for the install so you can get a better look at the job. Pics 25 and up are my install pics which will help a lot. AE Performance Oil Cooler 370Z install pics

I want to thank the guys, Dustin, Casey & Ryne, at AE for getting this kit to me by this weekend so I'd have time to get it in before some events. The only thing they could have provided with this kit is some written instructions, you just go by the pics they send you. It's not a big deal, but as with all custom applications there are always tips/notes that can really save some time and frustration.

1) You need to either get the car on a lift or use some drive up ramps as I did so you can get under the car to work. You don't need a lot of height just enough to do an oil change really.

2) Remove bumper, which there are plenty on threads around with that info. (Stillen has it in the G3 Intake instructions which you can grab off their site)

3) I won't go through the whole process the pics take care of the major things but I will mention some little things.

4) Be sure that the threads in the adaptor plate are clean and smooth. I ran into an almost failure because when I started to thread one of the nipples in it only went in about 1 1/2 -2 turns and started to bind up. I know it wasn't crossed and it felt fine at the start but I had to fight to get it out and it ended up ruining the nipple and the first thread on the adaptor. I went to a local speed shop who had nipples and he ran a tap through the adaptor as well to clean up both threads. We noticed that the threads weren't perfect as it came and when we were done the new nipple went in like butter. I used Never-Seez Pipe Compound with Teflon, as the lubricant/sealer and both nipples went in a good 4 threads and got nice and tight. I'm going to call AE and let them know about the threads so they let whoever know to be sure they are done perfectly.

5) The biggest pain in this job is relocating the power steering cooler. You do have to move it for the oil cooler to fit. The pics here show the washer fluid container is an aftermarket because of the intakes they are using. With the stock one it's a bit tight to get at one of the fittings you need to remove to put the longer hose on for the relocated cooler. I didn't remove the washer fluid container but after fighting to get the old line off the aluminum fitting and putting the new one on I wish I had. You can decide for yourself but it is do-able. Be sure to catch the 1/2 - 3/4 quart of PS fluid that is going to come out when you disconnect the lines. I didn't try to reuse it and needed to add about 3/4 qt, use Nissan's or Dexron VI only.

6) Mounting the adaptor was easy, it pretty much points forward and I angled mine downward just a hair so that the top line, which uses the straight end has a little space between it and the wiring for the alternator. Now be sure to run the lines correctly to the cooler for flow right. It is marked on the adaptor for the flow. But if you look at the pics, the angled end on the bottom of the adaptor will connect to the bottom of the oil cooler as well, and the top to the top. Each line has one straight and one angled and they each go the opposite on the adaptor and cooler. Be sure to use some Never -Seez again on the nipples that thread into the oil cooler itself. BUT DO NOT use anything on the actual hose lines that screw on, those should be dry and don't over tighten them, just make them snug with an extra little push or you'll strip them out.

7) Another thing I noticed was that you want to mount the cooler to the mounting bracket with it slightly leaning forward. There is a little play in the two bolts on each side. If it's straight up vertical the back side of the cooler will rub against the outside temp sending unit; You can see in the pics in front of the PS cooler. I bent the bracket for the sensor back a bit as well and then nothing hits. You also need to bend the horn a little so it's not rubbing.

8) When you mount the front bumper aluminum support brace back up keep an eye on the lines as they go in-between the washer res, it's very tight and it seemed no matter how I did it they were going to rub the back edge of the brace which was a little sharp. The lines are coated and it probably wouldn't be a problem but to be sure I wrapped the lines in some clear hose and tie-wrapped it for an extra barrier.

9) Remember to fill your PS fluid back up and it will go down when you start it up. Be sure to add it right away to the low cold line again. You will hear the PS pump making a little noise until it gets the air out and fills back up. With a new oil filter I needed about 6 1/2 qts to fill it up, up from about 5 qts normally.

10) Be sure to run it up to temp while you have everything open so you can inspect for leaks everywhere. I did a short drive and re-inspected, and all was fine. I only had a chance to run it for about 25 minutes but it was 90 and humid and normally the temp would hit around 200 and creep to 230 as I cruised around without really pushing it too hard. It never went over 180 today. AE said that at the track it would never go over 240 no matter how hard or long they pushed it. Without the cooler they could barely get in a lap before limp mode. So I bet I'll never see 240 again, or on the street at least. If you guys have noticed that normally once it's getting hot and is over 200 sitting in traffic the fans could never bring down the temp. But when I was at a light and it was just over 180 the fans came on and I watched it drop to 170, which was awesome and a first!

Overall I think the kit is top notch and I will update the thread later after I've really tested it out.

ChrisSlicks

Nice write-up on the install, and good pics to go with it. You're almost local (Lowell, MA here), want to come and do mine?

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Hotchkis ARB | Stillen CAI | Art Pipes | Berk CBE | Stillen AP Racing Brakes | AE Performance Oil Cooler | BC Racing ER Coilovers | Doran Control Arms

wavehogger

Thanks. Yeah, you're only 45 mins away, cool. So you're thinking about the Nismo or AE? I think the AE is a great kit, don't have any temp #'s yet under more intense conditions but I'm confident it's going to work nice. If you want a hand let me know, i'd be glad to help. You know any other local 370's? I wish we could get some people together.

ChrisSlicks

I've counted at least 4 massholes on here, maybe more. We will have to arrange a get together sometime that's for sure. I do Auto-X fairly regularly during the summer at Ayer, MA so if you think you want to check it out let me know (visit or drive).

Originally I was going to go with the Nismo but I'm leaning towards the AE right now because it has the same cooling capacity but is lower profile.

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Hotchkis ARB | Stillen CAI | Art Pipes | Berk CBE | Stillen AP Racing Brakes | AE Performance Oil Cooler | BC Racing ER Coilovers | Doran Control Arms