Oil cooler for 2014, still needed?

jcosta79 · 02-14-2014, 02:44 PM

Quote:

As for ultimate power potential, the general consensus among most racers is that hot oil and cool water make more power in most engines. Cold engine oil causes excessive frictional drag on the bearings and cylinder walls. A quality conventional motor oil will tolerate oil sump temperatures of up to 250 degrees, but starts breaking down over 275 degrees. The traditional approach is to try to hold oil temperatures between 230 and 260 degrees. Even on a short-duration, drag-only combo where oil is frequently changed, I would not want to routinely see under-200-degree oil temps.

What Is The Optimum Engine Oil Temperature? - Hot Rod Magazine

MacCool · 02-16-2014, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcosta79

Sure. But that's not a problem. Anything North of 250 and I start getting worried. Below that shouldn't be an issue.

I've read different articles stating that ideal oil temperature is between 220-240 degrees, depending on your application. Some people say even higher. Some say lower. As long as I don't go into limp home mode, I don't worry about it. I change my oil frequently and use a good quality oil.

Exactly. Modern oils will run all day long at 250 degrees without breakdown.

ShutokuZ · 02-14-2014, 01:44 PM

I live in SoCal and my temps on stock 13 sits at 200 around town stop and go. The temps drop to about 180 while cruising on the FW.

VCuomo · 02-14-2014, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShutokuZ

I live in SoCal and my temps on stock 13 sits at 200 around town stop and go. The temps drop to about 180 while cruising on the FW.

Same here for my '09 (although the temps stay at 200 on the fwy).

kenchan · 02-14-2014, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by winnre

I heard horror stories about older Z's needing an oil cooler system, but then I hear, maybe, that they fixed these issues and a 2014 Z is fine as is. but of course the dealer recommends a cooler. What's the consensus on this? Waste of money or go for it? I don't drive on the track but I do want power and reliabilty.

i heard horror stories about newer Z drivers.

MJB · 02-14-2014, 02:05 PM

When I was in Texas I was hitting 250f in stop go traffic on a regular basis.. Even if I wasn't going into limp mode, I still don't want a car to run that hot oil temp. Not only are you losing hp at those higher temps, but I'm assuming the oil is going to break down alot faster. Once I installed an oil cooler, 180-200 was the norm.

ACE_20 · 02-14-2014, 02:15 PM

I also live in texas and with 15 minutes of spirited driving I see temps over 240. I ordered the FI new oil cooler so my baby will stay coool no matter what type of driving.

eastwest2300 · 02-14-2014, 02:31 PM

I have a 34 row cooler on my 2010, on the highway i see temps at or around 180 depending on outside temps (50+) and the block off plate off.

jcosta79 · 02-14-2014, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eastwest2300

I have a 34 row cooler on my 2010, on the highway i see temps at or around 180 depending on outside temps (50+) and the block off plate off.

That's probably too cool as you want to get the oil above 212 degrees to get all the water out of it.

DLSTR · 02-15-2014, 03:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcosta79

That's probably too cool as you want to get the oil above 212 degrees to get all the water out of it.

Z1 stated the temp you see is the oil leaving the cooler. Its going over 212 in the motor. The question is are you driving long enough to heat up and vaporize moisture. Short trips possibly not.

PaulZ370 · 02-21-2014, 06:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcosta79

That's probably too cool as you want to get the oil above 212 degrees to get all the water out of it.

BINGO... nailed it. So many people miss the fact that an internal combustion engine has H2O as a by-product of the combustion. Water in the oil is a contaminant and has to be removed by heating the oil to at least close a temp of 212... a temp of at least north of 180°F on your gauge after a cooler install is where you want to be as the gauge reads the oil temp out of the cooler. Going into the cooler, it should be about 20°F hotter, which means water condensation in the oil is being vaporized out.

Good read jcosta...

kenchan · 02-14-2014, 02:55 PM

220 is a healthy temp and that's where my Z is on a hot summer day motoring her pretty hard. no cooler needed for my driving at least. ive not seen it go over 230F

7speed · 02-14-2014, 05:05 PM

Never seen temps over 230. And it only got there from sustained illegal speeds between Dallas and Houston or Texas to Arkansas. 220 is usually where it holds to and that's no oil cooler and still quick driving.
I wouldn't mine having one for drag strip days that way I can be closer to 200 deg. So not a bad idea but remember you will probably have more maintenance issues to look for with one, like leaking lines etc.

winnre · 02-14-2014, 05:37 PM

My temp sits between 180 and 220 depending. But what about an August drive to Vegas? Or driving for 20 hours? Maybe it is not critical but it would help at least a little?

alcheng · 02-14-2014, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by winnre

My temp sits between 180 and 220 depending. But what about an August drive to Vegas? Or driving for 20 hours? Maybe it is not critical but it would help at least a little?

will you have an August drive to Vegas....???

will you have a drive for 20 hours...???

02-14-2014, 02:05 PM	#6 (permalink)
MJB A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Tacoma, WA Age: 42 Posts: 1,498 Drives: a POS truck Rep Power: 496	When I was in Texas I was hitting 250f in stop go traffic on a regular basis.. Even if I wasn't going into limp mode, I still don't want a car to run that hot oil temp. Not only are you losing hp at those higher temps, but I'm assuming the oil is going to break down alot faster. Once I installed an oil cooler, 180-200 was the norm. PaulZ370 likes this. __________________ 09 Nismo #0483 sold. Viper or C7 next time around.

02-14-2014, 02:15 PM	#7 (permalink)
ACE_20 Base Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: houston Posts: 41 Drives: 09 370z b m6 Rep Power: 12	I also live in texas and with 15 minutes of spirited driving I see temps over 240. I ordered the FI new oil cooler so my baby will stay coool no matter what type of driving. __________________ \| FI OIL COOLER\| STILLEN GEN 3\|

02-14-2014, 02:31 PM	#8 (permalink)
eastwest2300 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2010 Location: South FL Posts: 91,031 Drives: '16QX70/'21 Supra3.0 Rep Power: 2684552	I have a 34 row cooler on my 2010, on the highway i see temps at or around 180 depending on outside temps (50+) and the block off plate off. __________________ Infiniti QX70 & Toyota Supra 3.0 Premium

02-14-2014, 02:55 PM	#12 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141521	220 is a healthy temp and that's where my Z is on a hot summer day motoring her pretty hard. no cooler needed for my driving at least. ive not seen it go over 230F 4r3s likes this.

02-14-2014, 05:05 PM	#13 (permalink)
7speed Track Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Dallas Posts: 697 Drives: 09 370 sports clone Rep Power: 14	Never seen temps over 230. And it only got there from sustained illegal speeds between Dallas and Houston or Texas to Arkansas. 220 is usually where it holds to and that's no oil cooler and still quick driving. I wouldn't mine having one for drag strip days that way I can be closer to 200 deg. So not a bad idea but remember you will probably have more maintenance issues to look for with one, like leaking lines etc. __________________ 09 370z 6spd traded 1/12/15 for 15 Challenger RT 6spd

02-14-2014, 01:44 PM	#3 (permalink)
ShutokuZ Track Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Honolulu Posts: 512 Drives: 2013 PW 6MT Sport Rep Power: 14	I live in SoCal and my temps on stock 13 sits at 200 around town stop and go. The temps drop to about 180 while cruising on the FW.

02-14-2014, 05:37 PM	#14 (permalink)
winnre Track Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Close to Redlands, CA Posts: 534 Drives: '14 370Z Touring Spt Rep Power: 13	My temp sits between 180 and 220 depending. But what about an August drive to Vegas? Or driving for 20 hours? Maybe it is not critical but it would help at least a little?

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