Dumb question number 5

JARblue

yeah... it's totally worthless

I've hit pretty high temps at COTA. After two consecutive three lap sessions in the Texas sun last June, I was near 280F according to the gauge. I sat out the last session, and she got a fresh oil change a few days later. Nothing surprising except that I got a full 6 laps in at about 95% full speed before the heat shut me down. Nissan provided their own cars to drive as well, so I had plenty more track time that day.

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Davey

Well, no, it really isn't.

First it's also an oil heater, so it helps your oil get up to operating temp quicker.

Second, it does keep the oil temp down for some time. On my '14, spirited driving on a hot day, the car still stays pretty close to 220 and even if it gets above it (which takes some work) it comes right back down. I got my '11 up over 240 just cruising in 5th at 70 mph many times.

In terms of an actual track day though, you are right, it is absolutely not up to the task of keeping the oil cool while tracking the car for an extended period, though it will stay cool longer than no oil cooler at all.