You do realize this car has a factory COLD AIR intake right!? there is no heat soak effect. unless you drive backwards.

I like people who write "smart a$$ comments"

To answer you, Yes I do know the stock air intake is a Cold air intake that is why mine is still stock. But if my chemistry knowledge is correct heat transfers goes from hot areas to cold. Therefore, heat will transfer from the hot block to all surrounding parts whether you drove forward, backward or sideways. Our engine bays are packed so there isn't many places for that heat to go but other parts. The plastic intakes do better than metal but they still heat up. Along with the maf sensors.

I don't have the tools or time to make this study. But I would like to see a test done where temperature and humidity Are constants. And the person measures oil temperature vs air intake temperatures.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using Tapatalk 2

Boys your going further and starting a whole new thread about CAI vs OP original question of having the need of an oil cooler.

IMHO all of you guys over here are exceptionally correct with all your analysis, Laws of Heat transfer and research data what else?..... that is why I love this forum.

Lets not overwhelm OP with technical data which might do two things...
1. We can probably scare him/overwhelm him to think he just bought a highly sophisticated machine that need all this things to make his car perform to a level that he even doesn't want to go through in the first place.

2. We can influence this guy to go with us in the Dark Side of being highly anally technical and damn obsessed of making the Z a super car which most of us would want to do. Burn the money away for the LOVE of performance. Nothing wrong with this its just a matter of choice and preference.

Going back to OP's question if you do not drive your car hard like us over here BIG Boys and all.
Then save yourself with the money and enjoy the car as you do not need the oil cooler.

But then if you want to go a different path just like in the movie MATRIX when you want all possibilities will be on your hand then choose between the blue pill and the red pill....Your choice buddy.

Either way you are welcome...Just be ready for a HELL of a RIDE!

BTW dont forget your credit card...lol

From OP's comment. So be gentle boys. PEACE.

I understand trying to apply logic and reason to a hypothesis.

The problem here is, the engineering and observed data don't jive with your hypothesis :) Yes heat transfers, but the rate of transfer is vastly different across different materials and states of matter.

Heat soak isn't going to occur to the point of pulling significant timing. Simply measure IAT from a readout to see exactly what is going on. If you are stuck at a stop light for a few minutes, IAT may creep up a few deg F but once you start moving its back to ambient. The intake is not hanging on top of the block.

The thermodynamics here are not much different from car to car. Air temp is going to matter to fuel/timing. If folks buy an oil cooler with the expectation its going to improve performance on a street car, I think that's a misinformed purchasing decision. :tiphat:

- b

:tup:

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using Tapatalk 2

spot on. I have the tools to do a test, which I did, oil temp doesn't have direct effect on engine performance. my car made the same power at 200 vs 270. just stick an electrical tape to the gauge and you won't think twice about it

.... and there you go :tiphat::driving:

:tup::iagree:

270!? :eek:

But thanks for posting that you did the test :tup:


No way on electrical tape. I Would rather know when my oil temps are reaching too high and I Should Stop or cruise in higher gear.

I still don't understand why some of you guys are saying oil coolers are bought "for the sake of Modding." I'm pretty sure its for the sake of protection. I would Like to see proof that running your engine at 220-240 is better than 190-210.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using Tapatalk 2

Not better, it just won't hurt anything. That's why limp mode does not kick in until 280* because you won't hurt anything till it gets hotter than 280* for an extended period of time.

280 i think is when it limits revs to 2000 or something. Doesn't 260 degrees limit revs to 5000?

According to the manual limp mode kicks in at 280* to prevent any damage. I don't remember anything about 260* but it could be in there.

I think forum members mentioned it being two stages. first limited revs then full limp mode.

Is ambient temperature makes your ding a ling? LIMP???
Kinda notice since its been hot in here in FL my dragon seems to be always on LIMP mode. Now smart guys how does physics come into play with this or it just plain physiology or plain ergonomics?

Would wearing a satin brief would apply like having an oil cooler also?:gtfo2:

Noob: Should I get a 370/ oil issues
 

I am trying to decide if I should get a 370z or not. I currently have a 2006 WRX and was all for getting a 2009 or 2010 370z. After reading more and more on the oil temperature issue I have stepped back and I am rethinking my decision. Basically what i am asking is should I let that stop me from buying a 370z? It will be a daily driver but I still get on the gas and love spirited driving. I love my WRX and just don't want to buy a car that is going to have a bunch of maintenance problems. Thanks in advance for the help and advice.

Upgrading for the track is different than maintenance, but money is still money.
An oil cooler is what you need on earlier models for sustained spirited drives.
From my experience the 370 is better than a WRX at the track.

Good luck

Well I don't go to the track, just drive fast sometimes and love taking sharp corners with speed. Another question I forgot to ask is do the oil coolers fix the problem completely? Also do they ever over cool the oil because I know that is just as bad

I daily drive my 09 Z and do spirited runs a few times a week. Oil has never gone above 230 even in the dead heat of summer.

Oil cooler is an easy and decently inexpensive fix. Since it is a DD most users place a steel cover over the oil cooler to prevent it from operating, thus protecting the car from having "too cool" oil in the winter months.

Oil should not be a major concern stopping you from buying a Z. If its your biggest worry, you should have bought one already.

Good Luck.

if that's the only thing that's holding you back, just get an oil cooler.

they're about 5 bills, and relatively cheap for a little piece of mind.

yeah that is my major concern. I research A LOT before I buy every car I own. Has Nissan come out and said the safe range for the oil temperature (what is normal and what is considered high). Thanks for the help by the way. I just drove a 370z for the first time two days ago and LOVED it. I felt like I was in a rocket when I pressed the gas

I've had my '09 Z for 2.5 years now and the oil temp has never been an issue. I never track my car, just drive it in all kinds of settings, sometimes with spirit. The oil temp has never risen to the level of concern. Unless you track your car, I consider the whole issue overblown and actually a tempest in a teapot. Other than a minor adjustment to my ambient temperature sensor, my car has been perfect since showroom---no problems at all.

For just spirited driving you should be fine without getting an oil cooler. If you take it to the track you will need one.

The oil issue is only for those concerned with the track. I've done many spirited driving sessions on mountain roads and while Oil rose to about 240, it was totally fine. For quick DDing there's no issues.

If you're headed to the track you'll want one. Not a issue big enough to not buy an amazing car.

Go test drive a Z!

You only need a oil cooler if you plan to track your car. For street driving there is no need for it. I had my share of spirited driving and my car never went into limp mode.

I am glad the community has learned about the oil cooler and properly giving advice about it! there was just too much hysteria about oil temp issues and daily driving!

The Z does not need one unless you track your car case point!

Happy Driving!

I've been saying this for three years. Talk about being flamed when it all started. Some people still can't let go of the "260F oil temp will melt your bearings." Ain't so anymore with today's oil formulations.

Amen brotha! Some people jus can't evolve with the times. Higher performing engines = higher temperatures = normal! Much better synthetic oils with higher temperature tolerances. 260 ain't nothing!

For people who have installed oil coolers, did you do the install yourself or take it to a shop? How much do shops typically charge?