Custom Oil Cooler

From Zwiki

Intro

In the continued preperation for up coming track days, I decided to install an oil cooler. I figured an oil cooler would be cheap insurance at extending engine life. I looked at all the oil coolers that were available and decided to put my own setup together. The problem I found with the ones that came ready for the 350Z were that they were small, expensive, and with the intercooler, they were hard to mount in an area in the grill that would receive air flow.

Before this install took place, a friend and I getto rigged an oil temperature gauge to my car. We went for some VERY spirited driving and noted oil temperatures of 230 degrees. This was last weekend when the temperatures outside were 90 degrees. 10w-40 Synthetic oil used.

After install, same getto rigged oil temperature gauge installed, we took the car for the same drive. Outside temperature were about 95 today. New 10w-40 synthetic oil. Oil temperatures were in the 200-205 range, max. Seems like the oil cooler works well. I did have to add an extra 1/2 quart of oil and will check it again later. More may be needed. I'll just have to watch and see.

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Parts List

The Parts

I bought all of this from Summit Racing except for the sandwhich plate. I found it at Racer Parts Wholesale.

Earls 16 Row oil Cooler-#21610ERL ($86.39)
Mocal Thermostatically controlled sandwhich plate-#SP1FT ($89.99)
10' of -10an Aeroquip Socketless Hose-#FCV1010 ($37.95)
-10an to 1/2" fitting (x2) #220047 (These are the blue fittings in the Sandwhich plate.) ($3.88x2)
90 degree -10an socketless fitting (x4) #FBM1534 (2 on the oil cooler, 2 connected to the fittings on the sandwhich plate) ($18.95)
Teflon tape at all connections.

Total Cost: $297.89

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Procedure

I wasn't able to mount it the way I wanted to, so here was my second choice. Working around the intercooler makes options tough. It is mounted at an angle to hopefully catch air coming in through our small grill and direct it over the majority of the cooler.

90% of the oil cooler gets direct airflow through the grill. Earls oil cooler installed using (2) 90 degree fittings. -10an Aeroquip hose connected. Although you don't have to use hose clamps on socketless hose, I did anyways since I had them laying around. Call it peace of mind.

I routed both hoses through the plastic shield near the winshield wiper fluid container.