Oil cooler without voiding warranty?

Korensky

I've had my 370Z for about 4 months and have done a couple of track days. The oil temp problem is something I definately notice after a few laps and while I haven't pushed it hard enough to get it into "limp" mode, it's something I am concerned about.

Are there any places in Sydney I can get an oil cooler fitted that wont void the manufacturers warranty on the engine? I'd approach the dealer about this, but I really don't want to let on that the car has been on the track until the 12 month mark where I'll be happier that I have no issues that need fixing!

Thanks

Lt. Dan

There's an oil cooler available in the NISMO catalog, and it won't void your warranty....

EVL370

What oil was you running?

evse82

hmmm check the wording on the nismo catalogue cos they say something dodgy in there that makes you thing nissan won't cover it... can't remember what though, it was posted a while back.

Korensky

The first time on track I was still running the original oil from the dealer. Only 5000kms on the clock. I was trying to work out if I'd be able to put it in for the oil to be changed to ester oil and have the cooler put on at the same time - provided they will do the job for me. Can we get Nismo parts from the dealers over here in Australia? Google is failing me..

BGTV8

I purchased a Stillen oil cooler kit from Import Parts Pro in Texas ... arrived in less than a week. You could also approach someone like UAS in Sydney and they can supply the oil filter sandwich plate, hoses and the cooler itself. I chose a 19-row cooler, you can also get 13-row and 25-row. I also fitted a sump extender to give me another litre of oil capacity, all the help manage oil temps when engine revs are above 5000rpm as I found the ECU dropped my car into limp home mode after 4 laps at Sandown (Vic).

You NISSAN dealer is almost certain not to fit the kit (even a NISMO kit), as these are not OEM factory approved parts. However, fitting a kit WILL NOT VOID YOUR WARRANTY and any dealer staff who make this statement are wrong in fact and in law. However, bear in mind that if a supposedly warrantable event occurs and Nissan can prove that the cause was the oil cooler, then Nissan can legitemately walk away from the warranty.

Therefore, engaging a reputable and professional organisation to fit the cooler is important, to avoid any leaks (which may affext oil pressure and therefore be seen as contributing to any "Warrantable Event"). You should be clear of any worries about contamination as the oil comes out of the sump, through the cooler and then the filter, into the engine. On this basis, your only concern should be leaks or hoses/cooler which constrain the quantify of oil that can be drawn out of the sump and fed into the engine by the oil pump. Purchasing a quality cooler (SERCK, SETRAB, MOCAL etc) with minimum half inch internal fittings, and using dash-10 hoses will ensure you avoid such problems. For this reason, I would avoid el-cheapo options from eBay or the car-park at your local pub.

In terms of oil, use any quality synthetic oil of a grade recommended by the factory for our temperatures (or maybe one higher), put fresh oil and a new filter into the car before a track day and after you are done ... will cost $150 but is cheap insurance. If this is too expensive for you, then perhaps you should consider the hidden costs of track days (consider also wear on tyres, brake pads and rotors, diff oil, gearbox oil etc etc).

RB

EVL370

In other words,

Spend the bux and get a good cooler and u'll be sweet.

BGTV8

Yup ....