Oil Cooler Install in NoVa
 

I'm looking for recommendations on a shop to install a Z1 Motorsports oil cooler. I live near Tysons Corner, and would greatly prefer a shop on this side of the Potomac. I also need a place that won't talk down to/try to fleece me just because I'm a chick. :)

I'm ok with using my local dealership for oil changes and scheduled maintenance, and I got a labor estimate from them last year, but for some reason an aftermarket install feels...different. Maybe it shouldn't?

AAM in Annapolis or P-Tuning in Manassas. I don't believe there is much in the Tysons Corners area. Going to have to make a drive for any decent work on your Z.

Now when it comes to oil changes at the dealer, be careful. I'd take it to an independent shop unless something serious comes up. Get some estimates and post em up and you'll probably get some feedback as to what is reasonable for a shop to install the cooler. Shouldn't take a shop any longer than 1 1/2 - 2 hours to complete the work. That should equate to about $200-240 including shop supplies/disposal fees/taxes. If they even approach $300, run away. There's plenty of people here, especially in your neck of the woods that have done that install and will gladly do it in their garage for far less. Hell, I'll do it. But I'm definitely not close.

Good luck!

I had Rosenthal Nissan in McLean install my Z1 34 row oil cooler. They did an excellent job running the lines. No leaks for the four years I owned it after the install. The service advisor who was there has moved on, but they should still do the install. Good luck!

Annapolis is out of the question, but Manassas isn't horrible and I've heard other recommendations for P-Tuning. They sell Mishimoto coolers, so I wasn't sure if they'd install a Z1. I'll have to reach out to them...thanks!

The dealership estimate I got last year -- just for labor -- was more like $400-500. :eek:

Thanks! That's the dealership I've been using for oil changes and scheduled maintenance for the past 16 months -- I bought the car used -- and is who I got that labor quote from last year. Do you remember what they charged you? I know it was several years ago: did it seem reasonable at the time?

That's awesome. And very rare to find such a dealer.

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I think they charged me for three hours labor. I believe it was at $85 an hour... If that was not the quote, then I am close and yes, I thought it was very reasonable at the time.

BTW. If you have a 34 row Z1 cooler, then I have a blocking plate you can have for free. Just taking up room in my garage. It is bare steel with velcro to attach it to the cooler. It really does help to have it on in the cooler weather. I would drive it in everything but actual snow, so it saw single degrees and still performed well for the oil temps.

I'm getting the 25-row cooler, and I've never heard of a blocking plate: I presume it's to allow the oil to warm up properly in the winter? I do drive my Z in actual snow, so I'll consider adding one in the fall.

Is having an oil cooler in cold temperatures a known problem? Is the plate more of a "must have" thing if my Z is my daily driver?

(I get so frustrated with Nissan sometimes! Make a sports car that can't be tracked without overheating, then the fix to that needs another part because I live in a place that has winter...grrr...)

Thanks!

Good for you for driving it in the snow!

Need a blocking plate = depends... Did you get the sandwich plate from Z1 as well? If it is not too late, I would highly recommend it. The oil coolers from Z-1 work so well that the oil will not get up to a good operating temperature without the sandwich plate and/or the blocking plate. The sandwich plate works as a thermostat that will allow the oil to cycle through just the engine until it warms up enough to open the plate and let the oil start flowing through the cooler and then closes again when the oil gets to cold.

I still used a blocking plate on mine and I had the sandwich plate. It seemed to keep the temperature up better with the blocking plate in. I know Aniceh uses her blocking plate and will sometimes move it to cover only half of the cooler to allow for some temperature regulation.

I can cut down my current one and will happily give it to you to place on your cooler to figure out if it works for you. No charge! Just helping a Z owner out.

Yep. I'm getting:

• 25-row oil cooler
• Thermostatic oil sandwich plate adapter (because the site said, "It is highly recommended that a Thermostatic sandwich plate adapter be purchased when installing an oil cooler onto a street driven 370Z. As important as it is to keep high oil temperatures under control, it is just as important to maintain the proper temperature to ensure the highest possible lubrication.")
• Protective hose wrapping
• Setrab core

After reading about the options on the Z1 site and doing a little research here, those seemed to be the best choices for me.

Also, Z1 called me yesterday to say that their lines are out of stock: they're getting new ones on Friday, and they're a little different than the usual Z1 lines in that they're a little more durable. No additional cost, and hopefully everything will ship tomorrow!

I appreciate it, but I'll pass...at least, for now. :) I'll wait and see what next winter brings, but will know to keep an eye on the oil temp once the outside temps start dropping.

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Sounds like you are getting everything appropriate for the Z!

NP on waiting for winter. I will probably not have the blocking plate then. I'm moving my shop out of the basement and into the garage, so I'm getting rid of my excess parts...

Enjoy the oil cooler.

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I need to make/buy a blocking plate so bad for my 34 row cooler. When going to Zdayz last year, at highway speeds I never broke 190 degrees.

Then it begain to rain and it dropped to 140 degrees :eekdance:

3 Layers of soaking wet painters tape got me back up to 160 degrees, but I can imagine my engine wasnt pleased with me.

You can have mine. No payment needed. I think I may even have extra velcro that you would need to attach it to the cooler. Let me know if you are interested. It is aluminum and fits the Z1 34 row cooler perfectly. If you want it and are going to make it to a MAZOC meet soon, let me know, and I'll try to get it to you.