Oil Cooler - Is it really necessary?
 

Hey all,

Please don't thump me too hard. I've been reading alot of posts about oil coolers. I understand there is definitely a place for them when tracking a car and also on FI cars. But here's my question....Is it something I should consider when my Z is driven mainly on weekends with some occasional spirited driving?

Like alot of Z owners I'm never going to track my car nor will I ever put any type of FI on it. I do have a Gen 3 Stillen intake and full Stillen exhaust with hi flo catalytic converters but that will be the extent of my engine mods. My oil temp is the usual 210 or so when driving. Occasionally I do have some fun on the TN mountain roads where I live but mostly it's just enjoying the drive.

So is an oil cooler worth the bucks? After reading it seems the Z1 is the most well thought of and I would probably do the 25 row with setrab cooler, thermostat, etc. I live in East TN so I imagine on a sunny 90 degree day the oil temps would run 180 - 200... Only guessing. Is it really that big of an advantage or have the Nissan engineers taken care of things pretty well? Thanks in advance for any input.

Given your driving description, I would say not necessary for you.

You have one without the factory oil cooler, so you'll most likely see 240+f temps in the summer in traffic. Get the cooler. Err on the larger side, since you can cover some of the rows in winter. You can't add rows in the summer if the 25 row isn't enough.

You can probably get by without one...but its a good idea to add it (hence why Nissan added one). Your oil will last longer, and your motor will stay healthier.

Some folks remove their OEM water cooler when they add an aftermarket air cooler - if I were in your position I would probably consider buying someone's take-off and just figuring an easy way to route coolant through it. Doing a full OEM equivalent install is probably not feasible because your coolant hardlines won't include the necessary ports.

The air cooler will get the temperature lower, but there are benefits to the water cooler as well - oil will come up to temp faster, you will not need to cover/uncover for seasonal changes, and you won't risk your engine oil being pumped out in the event of a minor fender bender.

I am far from stock and my OEM water cooler handles it just fine for DD and spirted driving purposes.

On a 90 degree day here in California, your car will probably be at 200 just sitting at idle. One highway pull will probably push your temps closer to 220. In traffic and warm weather i've seen temps as high as 240 and the car feels sluggish.

Same conditions in the canyons with a serious driver who likes to carve those corners, you'll hit limp mode. The main reason we buy oil coolers is not because our oil is going to break down and the engine will suffer for it. We buy oil coolers because the ECU limits revs once temps reach around 265 and what used to be your fun sports car, now drives like it's running on two cylinders, at least until the oil temps have dropped and you've restarted the car. Just my $.02, hope that helps. But it really depends on what kind of driver you are.

I'd also say that an oil cooler system is a huge upgrade for the VQ37 engine. Keeping those oil temps down is important whether you daily drive or track your Z.

Fast Intentions produces a 34-Row Oil Cooler Kit for the 370Z.

If you have any questions please feel free to ask.

- Kevin

I appreciate the replies. I know excess heat is not your friend so the question that comes to my mind is; How well is the 370Z engine engineered to handle the 210-220 temps during "normal" daily driving and do so over a long period of time? Look into your crystal ball. :icon17: I mainly drive Spring - Fall, temps range 65 - 95, interstate, mountain roads or small amount of stop and go traffic. I live in a small town area. If I installed the 25 row cooler what could I expect my oil temps to drop to? Same question for a 34 row? From what I've read the oil temp should not be lower than 180. Thanks again. Trying to learn.

Not necessary if you dont drive as hard as most people does around here in the forum.

If your fine seeing your temp goes to 240F while driving then your good.
It bothers me though specially when I drive it hard goes up to >250F

Bought a stillen 25 row gold series. The highest wss 210F spirited hard driving in summer.

Its engineered well enough to run 210-220 without issue. The ECU hits limp mode around 265 to prevent damage, so if Nissan programmed it to kick in at that point you have a lot of room for error.

Assuming you get either oil cooler your temps will drop but will not stay lower than 180 if you get it with the thermostatic sandwich. The thermostat will only open once you hit 180, allowing the cool oil to now flow through the lines and into the engine. If you're still concerned about it getting too cold, you can place a block off plate in front of the oil cooler to further prevent it from cooling.

Temp drops are usually around 20 degrees during normal driving. So taking my example from earlier, 90 degrees in traffic w/o oil cooler...240. Same conditions with oil cooler, 220 at most. Difference between the 25 row and 34 row is not how much of a drop in temps you'll see, but rather how much longer it can keep the temperatures from rising.

It only makes sense if you added a Gen 3 Stillen intake and full Stillen exhaust with hi flo catalytic converters. If you think about it you didn't even need to get that. I'm guessing you did it because you like it. I say go for it.

:confused:
What do cold air intakes and a stillen exhaust have to do with an oil cooler?

Get a 25 row at the very least. Heat is the enemy. My driving style and being in CA called for one. I got a 34 row and the car was happy. One of the best mods for the Z.

When you add more power; You can generate more heat.

I highly doubt a CAI and exhaust would affect oil temps much. I didn't noticed a change in temps since I installed CAI, HFC's or test pipes. Just to put that into perspective, I had issues with oil temps before I even threw those mods on the car, it was stock.

This is my situation only, so it may not be relevant for others...

I occasionally track my car, drive spirited (think Dragon) and use as a DD during the Summer months. I have never experienced oil temps high enough to go into "limp mode", so I do not have any type of oil cooler. However, with that being said, I am still thinking about putting in at least a 24-row, mostly as an insurance policy in the event I ever run into conditions that MAY raise the oil temps to unhealthy heights.

Better to have and not need than need and not have...just my $.02 :)

As-far-as adding mods like mine (CAI, CBE, HFC, tune), I think the car actually runs cooler because it is now more efficient and does not have to work as hard...

OP, if you see temps in the 240's. Get an oil oil cooler. The ECU will start to pull timing at 240F. And go into limp mode at 280F. Get a 25 row. If you want to push it. :driving: Get a 34 row.

As for the oil to be at 180F is BS. :shakes head: Once the oil has hit 110F. The moisture in the oil will start to evaporate out. By the time it's at 160F. It's almost all gone. Remember, you're only dealing with 5 qts of oil. Not 7,000 gals. Oils work best between 130F to 190F. The engine has to operate at around 210F because of emissions. To help lower NOx emissions. The combustion temps have to be higher.

After I added 40rwhp from exhaust,CAI & Tune (not to mention 19x10’s/12’s w/285’s & 345’s) I had a tendency to stay in the gas more....210* is a normal cruising temp for me & it escalades when I hammer on it.
I try to avoid sitting in traffic on a 95+ temp day/as this will push it up
As well.....@230’ish I’ll back out the throttle-as I have seen 240/250
In the past.
Gonna add one this spring/as some hard spirited driving will push it up rather quickly.

So I've pretty much decided to move forward with this. Thanks to everyone that contributed. Last question.. Which one?

Z1 - 34 row with Setrab core / thermostat plate $599

Fast Intentions - same set up $618

Both the same? Either one seem to have a better reliability than the other?

One was easier to install than the other? Customer service?

Flip a coin? :icon17:

Thanks

I don't know how reliable the data is, but there have been some complaints recently about Z1's customer service. I have never read anything negative about FI ever.

Personally, I have bought from Z1 a bunch of times and had excellent experience. I have never dealt with FI.

I've bought from both and never had any issues with either one. :tup:

Quality of the products the same?

Fitment the same?

After really digging into what you get it looks like the only parts that could be different between the 2 companies are the hoses and brackets. Setrab oil cooler isn't theirs, mocal thermo plate isn't theirs, that leaves the rest. Am I off base?

you're spot on. If you feel good about making your own brackets and hoses, you can do it a little cheaper yourself. All of it is pretty DIY friendly.

One thing I like about the Z1 kit is that they provide an optional hose wrap that protects the steel braiding from fraying, but like everyone else said...the oil cooler cores are the same between FI and Z1...the lines and fittings are going to be the major difference. Brackets are usually from the same manufacturer as the core, I'd be surprised if FI sells their kit with a non-Setrab bracket, I know Z1's is.

With alot of reading, some great input from the good folks here on the forum and talking with a gear head buddy of mine I believe I've finally reached an answer I'm happy with. Hopefully in the future when someone searches the forum for oil cooler info this posting will help.

I realize there will be different driving conditions, tracking / spirited driving / grandpa mode (ME when the wife is in the car), different areas of the US people live, etc. All of these things should be considered and will ultimately effect the final decision of what a person buys. With that said the below info certainly is not an end all answer, but hopefully it will bring things into focus for many and reduce the amount of leg work they'll have to do.

19 row - waste of money

25 row oil cooler - the place to go is Z1 Motorsports. Setrab oil cooler and mocal thermostat sandwich plate - $523. Wrap over Stainless steel lines $35 add-on optional.


If you want a 34 row oil cooler go to Fast Intentions, they only offer a 34 row. I called them, they used to offer both a 25 row and 34 row but the gentleman I spoke with said the 25 row often did not meet the racing needs of their customers. Setrab oil cooler and mocal thermostat sandwich plate - $599. The same set up at Z1 - $628.

Fast Intentions have better hoses- teflon inner liner. I called Z1, their hoses are "elastomer" which is much better than neoprene but not quite as good as teflon lined. Fast Intentions does not offer optional wrap over SS lines. Brackets and screws are brackets and screws.... same either place. At the end of it all everything is the same except for the hoses. Oh yeah, customer service. Seems both have good reputations.

As many have done both the Setrab oil cooler and Mocal Thermostat Plate can be bought individually from other sources. Make your own hoses and brackets if you want to get that deep into it. Cost would cheaper, not sure how much.

That's my story and I'm stickin' to it. Yep there will be lots of opinions. Jayhovah and Eagle were very helpful to me in the end, THANKS! Thanks to everyone for reading and their input. I'm off to order me an oil cooler. :tup:

Nice write up. But in a month or so. Someone will asked the question again. :rofl2: Well..........are you going to get a cooler or not?

My answer to the oil cooler question is the same as is with wheels and tires...."Go big or go home." 72 row for me lol!

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Been some used units in the classifieds lately. As long as the core hasn't been punctured or an engine blown its guts in it, you're good. I got a 25 row setrab w/thermostatic plate, lines etc. shipped for $300 last month.

I live in chattanooga TN. Trust me when I say if you drive your car more then 20 min in the summer you need a oil cooler. I have a 25row and love it.

I was trying not to ask but....

Tropical climate, NEVER sub 70*F, 80-95*F most times. Currently stock but will be doing R35 turbo conversion ala Husam's kit. Plan to get koyo rad whenever it's released.

Daily driver, 1/8th mile drag once a month and auto x 6 times for the year sub 45 sec courses.

25 row or 34 row?

34, no question. With what you have planned. A 25 would be a waste of money.

:tup:Thanks Rusty

:tiphat:

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Is that a selfie?

Feel like it...

hi guys i ordered a 25 row from z1 thermo sandwich plate. My z is a 2015 . Will there need to be any additional items / customization in order to get it installed? Is it going to be as easy as mounting and switching out sandwich plate and connect the lines ?

Edit: Came across SPAL fan and electronic thermostat.. was wanting it add it to the 25 row for extra protection since i live in cali . and in the summer is sauna hot you feel me .. has anyone added that to you cooler ?

What you ordered should be a kit, everything is there to install. Instructions are on the website and youtube. Sorry, can't help with the fan.

yes it was the kit .. so when connecting the thermo plate do i just put it over the oem plate ?

My Z is a 2010 and did not come from the factory with an OEM oil cooler. Sorry but I can't help with on yours but I'm sure someone here knows for certain.

No, you remove that factory oil heater. You will need to buy a kit that has everything in it to remove it. I have done 2 cars like this, 2012 and 2013 Nismo's. Fast Intentions has a kit that has everything you need to take it off the car.