Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum - View Single Post - What are yall's opinion on these oil coolers?

derass · 09-07-2017, 08:26 PM

That's 80's JDM sytle. Think Hakosuka Skyline. I think it looks cool, but probably wouldn't do it to mine if I had one. Personal preference I suppose, but I always choose function over form.

I was considering an oil cooler to help with water temps during trackdays. Take heat out of the engine however possible. So they certainly are beneficial in that sense.

Just need to consider thermostatic vs regular. The majority of engine wear occurs on startup as all of the oil passages are not yet pressurized. A thermostatic oil cooler keeps that part of the system closed until the oil has reached operating temperature, well after the motor has been running. An oil cooler without a thermostat just adds to the amount of time that it takes for the entire engine to be pressurized with oil, accelerating wear.

So an oil cooler without a thermostat might be fine for a track car that gets started a couple of times per month and not wear down the engine too badly. However, a daily driver that you start a couple times per day would wear down much more quickly and would certainly benefit from a thermostatic kit. It would have to be a weekend warrior that sees track time, otherwise an oil cooler on a car that just cruises around is a waste of money, IMO.

GReddy sells a thermostatic sandwich plate that could easily be combined with an ISR oil kit for a great budget setup. Or the full Greddy kit, or the just the ISR kit.

Finally, those oil cooler cores are small enough to fit behind the bumper in an opening. They're more of a square shape. You wouldn't try those same long, thin rectangles cores that you see hanging on the outside of those old school cars.

edit: I just went on some big rant and didn't answer your question about mounting the core in / behind the grille. That would certainly work. The only thing the oil cooler system needs is airflow and you would definitely get it there. I'm just not sure how it would look, so that's up to you.

Another thing to consider is keeping the oil lines short, but I suppose the length difference between mounting the core in a bumper opening or the grille is negligible. So I think you're good there too.

09-07-2017, 08:26 PM	#2
derass Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Toronto, ON Age: 37 Posts: 1,182 Trader Rating: (0)	That's 80's JDM sytle. Think Hakosuka Skyline. I think it looks cool, but probably wouldn't do it to mine if I had one. Personal preference I suppose, but I always choose function over form. I was considering an oil cooler to help with water temps during trackdays. Take heat out of the engine however possible. So they certainly are beneficial in that sense. Just need to consider thermostatic vs regular. The majority of engine wear occurs on startup as all of the oil passages are not yet pressurized. A thermostatic oil cooler keeps that part of the system closed until the oil has reached operating temperature, well after the motor has been running. An oil cooler without a thermostat just adds to the amount of time that it takes for the entire engine to be pressurized with oil, accelerating wear. So an oil cooler without a thermostat might be fine for a track car that gets started a couple of times per month and not wear down the engine too badly. However, a daily driver that you start a couple times per day would wear down much more quickly and would certainly benefit from a thermostatic kit. It would have to be a weekend warrior that sees track time, otherwise an oil cooler on a car that just cruises around is a waste of money, IMO. GReddy sells a thermostatic sandwich plate that could easily be combined with an ISR oil kit for a great budget setup. Or the full Greddy kit, or the just the ISR kit. Finally, those oil cooler cores are small enough to fit behind the bumper in an opening. They're more of a square shape. You wouldn't try those same long, thin rectangles cores that you see hanging on the outside of those old school cars. edit: I just went on some big rant and didn't answer your question about mounting the core in / behind the grille. That would certainly work. The only thing the oil cooler system needs is airflow and you would definitely get it there. I'm just not sure how it would look, so that's up to you. Another thing to consider is keeping the oil lines short, but I suppose the length difference between mounting the core in a bumper opening or the grille is negligible. So I think you're good there too.