AutoX Prep Is oil cooler needed?

0101 · 04-14-2018, 03:45 PM

Sorry for posting this, Im sure the answer is in this forum 100 times over.
I've skimmed through some of the official autox post, but I'm not seeing the answer.

I know for HPDEs due to various things overheating.
A big oil cooler, maybe a racing radiator, brake cooling ducts, racing brake pads, clutch insulaton, racing fuel pump, racing fluid in you clutch and brakes, etc.

But how about just for an AutoX?

Is it safe to autocross a stock 370Z sport?
Or should I really get an oil cooler or something else?

I'll be autocrossing in the heart of summer, 100 degree days I'm sure.

gomer_110 · 04-14-2018, 04:50 PM

Plenty of people have autox'ed a 370z without an oil cooler and nothing bad happens. Go for it.

0101 · 04-14-2018, 05:31 PM

Thanks

Spooler · 04-14-2018, 11:29 PM

What year do you have? You may already have the factory oil stabilizer and for sure you won't need it.

3.7 ZPA · 04-15-2018, 10:31 AM

An oil cooler is not necessary for autox.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

SouthArk370Z · 04-15-2018, 11:45 AM

While an oil cooler may not be necessary, the 370Z does tend to run hot. Personally, I think an oil cooler is a good idea for even spirited DDing. YMMV

Off-topic: If you are running with 100 F ambient temps, IAT may become a problem. The ECM starts limiting engine output somewhere around 85 F.

240se · 04-15-2018, 09:52 PM

I did a practice autocross in 95F temps and got in 20+ runs. I would turn the AC on the lowest fan setting in between runs to get the engine fans to come on and that would drop the oil temps from 235 to 210.

ihiryu · 04-16-2018, 04:17 PM

Depends on the course layout, most auto-x runs are less than a minute, then you're back at the pits waiting for everyone else to run. I'd imagine it'd be okay.

DarkJak · 04-23-2018, 03:00 PM

For 6-8 runs of 45-60 seconds each over a full day, you'll be okay without an oil cooler.

If you end up doing a ton of untimed runs at the end, or have a small group that day where you get tons of runs in, you might start wanting a cooler.

Quicksilvers · 04-24-2018, 05:44 AM

I agree it depends on what road course you are trying to run? There are some people I know that have got away with no oil cooler kit on their Z. Installing a aftermarket oil cooler kit is always a good idea if your Z see’s track time a specially auto x it will give you extra peace of mind anyway. Definitely make sure you have done all your general maintenance and inspect your Z before you go run auto x events. I was not able to get away with the stock Nissan oil cooler as my oil temperatures were running 240+ after beating on my Z with multiple runs in the summer humid heat.

nismosis · 04-27-2018, 08:43 AM

Not necessary and technically it throws you into Street Prepared.

04-14-2018, 03:45 PM	#1 (permalink)
0101 Base Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Stockholm, Germany Posts: 95 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 11	AutoX Prep Is oil cooler needed? Sorry for posting this, Im sure the answer is in this forum 100 times over. I've skimmed through some of the official autox post, but I'm not seeing the answer. I know for HPDEs due to various things overheating. A big oil cooler, maybe a racing radiator, brake cooling ducts, racing brake pads, clutch insulaton, racing fuel pump, racing fluid in you clutch and brakes, etc. But how about just for an AutoX? Is it safe to autocross a stock 370Z sport? Or should I really get an oil cooler or something else? I'll be autocrossing in the heart of summer, 100 degree days I'm sure. Last edited by 0101; 04-14-2018 at 03:47 PM.

04-14-2018, 04:50 PM	#2 (permalink)
gomer_110 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Perrysburg, OH Posts: 17,992 Drives: '11 Nismo #528 GM Rep Power: 36940	Plenty of people have autox'ed a 370z without an oil cooler and nothing bad happens. Go for it. __________________ '11 370Z Nismo #528 Fast Intentions \| Stillen \| Motordyne \| Uprev \| CSF \| Zspeed \| Z1 Motorsports \| AST \| Swift \| SPC \| SPL \| Whiteline \| Hotchkis \| Bride \| Schroth \| Robispec \| Cusco \| Nismo \| Volk \| Forgestar \| Hoosier \| RJM '17 Titan Bone Stock

04-15-2018, 10:31 AM	#5 (permalink)
3.7 ZPA Enthusiast Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Connecticut Posts: 352 Drives: '09 370Z 6MT Rep Power: 12	An oil cooler is not necessary for autox. Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk __________________ 2009 6MT Touring Sport Z1///Tanabe///ZSpeed///EVO-R///Michelin

04-15-2018, 11:45 AM	#6 (permalink)
SouthArk370Z Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 8,435 Drives: 2014 Challenger Rep Power: 324197	While an oil cooler may not be necessary, the 370Z does tend to run hot. Personally, I think an oil cooler is a good idea for even spirited DDing. YMMV Off-topic: If you are running with 100 F ambient temps, IAT may become a problem. The ECM starts limiting engine output somewhere around 85 F. __________________ Steering Lock Links - Search The370Z Bookmarklet - FSM @ NICOclub Mankind has progressed past the need for war but we haven't evolved that far. - NachoMahma

04-15-2018, 09:52 PM	#7 (permalink)
240se Enthusiast Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: VA Posts: 259 Drives: Gunmetal 12' Rep Power: 11	I did a practice autocross in 95F temps and got in 20+ runs. I would turn the AC on the lowest fan setting in between runs to get the engine fans to come on and that would drop the oil temps from 235 to 210. 2011 Nismo#91 and Justint5387 like this.

04-14-2018, 05:31 PM	#3 (permalink)
0101 Base Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Stockholm, Germany Posts: 95 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 11	Thanks

04-14-2018, 11:29 PM	#4 (permalink)
Spooler A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Ga Posts: 13,524 Drives: 2013 Nismo 370z Rep Power: 2684391	What year do you have? You may already have the factory oil stabilizer and for sure you won't need it.

04-16-2018, 04:17 PM	#8 (permalink)
ihiryu Base Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: TX Posts: 141 Drives: 2013 Nismo 370z 6MT Rep Power: 33	Depends on the course layout, most auto-x runs are less than a minute, then you're back at the pits waiting for everyone else to run. I'd imagine it'd be okay.

04-23-2018, 03:00 PM	#9 (permalink)
DarkJak A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 1,390 Drives: 2009 370Z Rep Power: 13448	For 6-8 runs of 45-60 seconds each over a full day, you'll be okay without an oil cooler. If you end up doing a ton of untimed runs at the end, or have a small group that day where you get tons of runs in, you might start wanting a cooler. __________________ @stupidtoycars \| My track vids 09 7AT\|MCS 2WNR\|Topgunz Rotrex\|Ecutek (Eugene)\|Maxxis RC1\|Titan-7 TS-5\|OSG LSD\|Rear Mount Derale Oil Cooler (WIP)+25 Trans Cooler\|Fismo\|G-LOC R12/R10\|Zeta III L\|NLR Wing and Splitter\|CJM Pan and Fuel Hat\|Radium Surge Tank\|AP Racing CP9668

04-24-2018, 05:44 AM	#10 (permalink)
Quicksilvers A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2017 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 2,039 Drives: 2017 370z Rep Power: 25462	I agree it depends on what road course you are trying to run? There are some people I know that have got away with no oil cooler kit on their Z. Installing a aftermarket oil cooler kit is always a good idea if your Z see’s track time a specially auto x it will give you extra peace of mind anyway. Definitely make sure you have done all your general maintenance and inspect your Z before you go run auto x events. I was not able to get away with the stock Nissan oil cooler as my oil temperatures were running 240+ after beating on my Z with multiple runs in the summer humid heat.

04-27-2018, 08:43 AM	#11 (permalink)
nismosis Base Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Indiana Posts: 139 Drives: 11 370Z Sport PW 6MT Rep Power: 12	Not necessary and technically it throws you into Street Prepared. __________________ nismosis [nis-moh-sis, niz-], noun, 1. the process of unconscious assimilation of all things Nissan.

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