Which oil cooler is the best?

glennsz · 10-28-2017, 03:36 PM

I purchased a Stillen 25 row oil cooled kit back in June of 2012 along with Gen3 CAI and Exhaust. Z ran great with no more "Limp" mode at the track. I high speed autocross at Blackhawk Farms Racetrack turning 1:29 times and run my Z hard. Last year I saw a few drops of oil under my Z and found the top of the oil cooler was leaning back about 3-4 degrees and the center row had split open just enough to start dripping. I called Stillen thinking there was no way anything could have hit it being behind the front stock grill. Stillen had not heard of any issues and I ordered a replacement core for $129.00 and put it in. I thought I had 4 years out of it so lets just get it fixed and back on the road. Last night, less then 1 1/2 years after the replacement and maybe 3000 street and track miles I see smoke in my mirror and not 15 seconds later my engine oil light comes on. I pull into a gas station 2 miles from my house, shut down the Z and see oil all over my front end. After a short tow back home I see the oil cooler has once again split open around the middle row but this time I could see the 1/4" slit the oil was coming out of. Before I call Stillen I wanted to see if anyone has experienced this before. One time is enough but twice and this time driving at speed (45mph) makes me afraid to just replace it once again. My towing bill would have been much higher if it happened at the track I was just at 2 weeks ago!

Spartan 1771 · 10-28-2017, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glennsz

I purchased a Stillen 25 row oil cooled kit back in June of 2012 along with Gen3 CAI and Exhaust. Z ran great with no more "Limp" mode at the track. I high speed autocross at Blackhawk Farms Racetrack turning 1:29 times and run my Z hard. Last year I saw a few drops of oil under my Z and found the top of the oil cooler was leaning back about 3-4 degrees and the center row had split open just enough to start dripping. I called Stillen thinking there was no way anything could have hit it being behind the front stock grill. Stillen had not heard of any issues and I ordered a replacement core for $129.00 and put it in. I thought I had 4 years out of it so lets just get it fixed and back on the road. Last night, less then 1 1/2 years after the replacement and maybe 3000 street and track miles I see smoke in my mirror and not 15 seconds later my engine oil light comes on. I pull into a gas station 2 miles from my house, shut down the Z and see oil all over my front end. After a short tow back home I see the oil cooler has once again split open around the middle row but this time I could see the 1/4" slit the oil was coming out of. Before I call Stillen I wanted to see if anyone has experienced this before. One time is enough but twice and this time driving at speed (45mph) makes me afraid to just replace it once again. My towing bill would have been much higher if it happened at the track I was just at 2 weeks ago!

I've done a lot of reading about oil coolers and I've never heard of this before. Very strange to say the least.

Rusty · 10-28-2017, 05:50 PM

Wonder if there is any strain on the cooler from either the mounting, or the hoses.

10-28-2017, 03:36 PM	#1 (permalink)
glennsz Base Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Addison, IL Posts: 7 Drives: 11 370Z Blk/Ch ST M6 Rep Power: 14	Leaky Stillen Gold Performance 25 row Oil Cooler I purchased a Stillen 25 row oil cooled kit back in June of 2012 along with Gen3 CAI and Exhaust. Z ran great with no more "Limp" mode at the track. I high speed autocross at Blackhawk Farms Racetrack turning 1:29 times and run my Z hard. Last year I saw a few drops of oil under my Z and found the top of the oil cooler was leaning back about 3-4 degrees and the center row had split open just enough to start dripping. I called Stillen thinking there was no way anything could have hit it being behind the front stock grill. Stillen had not heard of any issues and I ordered a replacement core for $129.00 and put it in. I thought I had 4 years out of it so lets just get it fixed and back on the road. Last night, less then 1 1/2 years after the replacement and maybe 3000 street and track miles I see smoke in my mirror and not 15 seconds later my engine oil light comes on. I pull into a gas station 2 miles from my house, shut down the Z and see oil all over my front end. After a short tow back home I see the oil cooler has once again split open around the middle row but this time I could see the 1/4" slit the oil was coming out of. Before I call Stillen I wanted to see if anyone has experienced this before. One time is enough but twice and this time driving at speed (45mph) makes me afraid to just replace it once again. My towing bill would have been much higher if it happened at the track I was just at 2 weeks ago! vil9j likes this.

10-28-2017, 05:50 PM	#3 (permalink)
Rusty A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Fayettenam,Pennsyltucky Age: 70 Posts: 35,571 Drives: 2011 Nismo GM 6M Rep Power: 2684440	Wonder if there is any strain on the cooler from either the mounting, or the hoses. __________________ 浪人 - 殺し屋 "The Difficult Anytime, The Impossible By Appointment Only" http://www.the370z.com/members-370z-...o-journal.html

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
DIY: Stillen 19 Row Oil Cooler Install - driver side (stock PS cooler unmoved)	djpathfinder	DIY Section (Do-It-Yourself)	21	11-30-2015 05:47 AM
[FOR SALE] Oil cooler kit with 19 row cooler - brand new	Vbp6US	Parts for sale (Private Classifieds)	4	03-27-2014 03:08 AM
Nissan Motorsports Oil Cooler vs. Stillen Oil Cooler	Dustin@Z1	Engine & Drivetrain	158	03-10-2014 02:27 PM
7AT 4.08 Gear swap QUAIFE LSD Trans cooler diff cooler	matcop	Engine & Drivetrain	17	09-07-2013 10:09 AM
[FOR SALE] AT Transmission Cooler with Setrab 19 Row cooler	zakimak	Parts for sale (Private Classifieds)	4	03-03-2012 11:44 AM