AFK-S2K

Coming from a turbo car, I will now be tracking a stock car. I have an oil cooler laying around. Should i put it on my stock car? Are oil temps getting high on stock cars at the track? These are HPDE events with the hopes of time trials in the future.

If I do put the oil cooler on, Should i leave the factory cooler on? The after market one does not have a thermostat on it.

anorexicpoodle

Nope. None needed. Tracked mine stock for 2 years. No issues.

Kirk180

I've ran a couple seasons now without one (heavier last season=about 10 events I think) and haven't had a problem. But then again I assume that would depend on where you live. I'm on my cell phone and it doesn't say your location. Here, we rarely see temps in the 90's. I did run one HPDE in the 90's last season, and it was fine. I'm stock (motor wise) with an intake and exhaust only.

blueosprey90

I've tracked my AP2 in stock condition two or three times a year for about 7 years. New England. No issues. You'll need competition pads and new brake fluid and maybe braided steel lines. And if you have a nice and clean oil cooler, why not? See https://robrobinette.com/S2000OilCooler.htm

AFK-S2K

I guess i should of mentioned im in Houston, Tx and would like to track in the summer too.

AFK-S2K

Is ambient temperature really effecting oil temps though?

anorexicpoodle

Im in SoCal. Summer events out here are over 100 ambient.

Ran Amsoil with no auxiliary coolers. Oil analysis always came back clean. Needed an upgraded radiator before I needed an oil cooler. Even with stock radiator, could run in the worst summer days but might run the heater mid-session.

FYI I STILL dont need an oil cooler. Just have a large radiator and canton pan (extra 1qt capacity). Oil temps are datalogged and never exceed 250 backed up by oil analysis.

spdracerut

NEED? No. Will it improve reliability and performance? I believe so. When my S2k was stock cooling wise, my oil temps hit over 270F when the ambient air temps were around 90F. Can a quality synthetic handle that? Yes. But, keep in mind our engines use oil piston squirters to help cool the pistons. Cooler oil = cooler pistons which should improve power and reduce the likely hood of knock. Also, all the engine bearings will get softer with higher oil temps. Having worked in the automotive industry a while, 130C is often considered the maximum operating temperature limit for oil from the car manufacturer which is 266F. The 370Z goes into limp mode when the oil hits 280F.

This is my oil cooler setup. Tracked it in 92F heat and the oil temp only hit 243F. So about a 30F temp drop in the same heat. Combined with my DIY vented hood, with the air temps over 100F, my oil temps stayed around 245F. Of note, my car is a full street car with A/C condenser.
Project S2000 - Oil Cooling

Singh_snisen

I track in north California and it gets really hot in summer. 105 plus. Never ran any coolers and no problems. 25 min each session.

blueosprey90

nice write-up spdracerut.