Cooling overhaul project

[Thefunk]

So I've been looking at some coolers.
https://www.mishimoto.com/performance-aluminum-radiator-nissan-z-2023.html

https://www.aamcompetition.com/shop...3-0t-high-capacity-heat-exchanger-45601#attr=
https://conceptzperformance.com/new...er-nissan-z-2023-rz34-21457-4d101_p_81002.php

https://conceptzperformance.com/czp...nissan-z-2023-rz34-21305-4d101-kt_p_80248.php

Question is about space, clearance and mounting if I have both a thicker core cooler rad and heat ex rad. I'm wondering if they will fit and also allow room for the thicker oil cooler. What are you thoughts? I haven't seen all these upgrades together anywhere installed.

 

[kevinbonds]

So I've been looking at some coolers.
https://www.mishimoto.com/performance-aluminum-radiator-nissan-z-2023.html

https://www.aamcompetition.com/shop...3-0t-high-capacity-heat-exchanger-45601#attr=
https://conceptzperformance.com/new...er-nissan-z-2023-rz34-21457-4d101_p_81002.php

https://conceptzperformance.com/czp...nissan-z-2023-rz34-21305-4d101-kt_p_80248.php

Question is about space, clearance and mounting if I have both a thicker core cooler rad and heat ex rad. I'm wondering if they will fit and also allow room for the thicker oil cooler. What are you thoughts? I haven't seen all these upgrades together anywhere installed.

Unless you plan to track the car for a long duration, the only mod that seems to be a value add on that list, is the heat exchanger. In an air to water most of the time, the heat soak causes the ECU to pull timing and affect the performance of the car. The radiator in the Z is more than adequate, and the oil cooler also does a nice job.

 

[Thefunk]

Unless you plan to track the car for a long duration, the only mod that seems to be a value add on that list, is the heat exchanger. In an air to water most of the time, the heat soak causes the ECU to pull timing and affect the performance of the car. The radiator in the Z is more than adequate, and the oil cooler also does a nice job.

I do track the car and so far for 20min sessions, and mostly warm weather (spring/summer). Last track day I saw the oil peak at 270F. That doesn't seem adequate to me. Another thing, if I upgrade the heat exchanger to one that is larger it will cover more of the engine cooler, so there's that.

 

[VR30Infection]

If Nissan thought the rad was sufficient for the track then they wouldn’t have added an extra on the Nismo.
My guess would be that they would all work together fine. If a larger radiator was designed without compensating for the fact that most people that would add extra engine cooling would most definitely add a larger heat exchanger, then the designers of said radiator are morons.

 

[kevinbonds]

If Nissan thought the rad was sufficient for the track then they wouldn’t have added an extra on the Nismo.
My guess would be that they would all work together fine. If a larger radiator was designed without compensating for the fact that most people that would add extra engine cooling would most definitely add a larger heat exchanger, then the designers of said radiator are morons.

A track day here or there doesn't really warrant upgrading the oil cooler, radiator and heat exchanger. Any forced induction car on the track is going to have issues if you turn it into a track car, and it's like a game of whack a mole trying to get things sorted regardless. To be honest, we don't know what impact upgrading all threes of these components will have, and unless you are on the track all the time, it may actually end up being problematic.

That being said, I am upgrading the heat exchanger on the Z, mainly because of heat soak, since it's not an A2A intercooler, keeping the charge air cool not only has benefit on the "track" but also helps out allot on spirited street driving and back roads. One of the first thing I did on my GT500 was upgrade the heat exchanger, and it was helpful especially in traffic on hot summer day.

 

[VR30Infection]

A track day here or there doesn't really warrant upgrading the oil cooler, radiator and heat exchanger. Any forced induction car on the track is going to have issues if you turn it into a track car, and it's like a game of whack a mole trying to get things sorted regardless. To be honest, we don't know what impact upgrading all threes of these components will have, and unless you are on the track all the time, it may actually end up being problematic.

That being said, I am upgrading the heat exchanger on the Z, mainly because of heat soak, since it's not an A2A intercooler, keeping the charge air cool not only has benefit on the "track" but also helps out allot on spirited street driving and back roads. One of the first thing I did on my GT500 was upgrade the heat exchanger, and it was helpful especially in traffic on hot summer day.

Isn’t the Nismo Z a daily driver that is meant to run on the track “here or there” ? Nissan added an aux heat exchanger as well as an aux radiator to keep things cool. Assuming that an aftermarket radiator is a proven design and has more cores than factory, couldn’t we assume that it would help to keep high temps at bay? Also, a larger more efficient oil cooler would probably do the same I would think. As long as your cooling isn’t so efficient that you’re not getting up to optimal heat range, the only downside side I can think of would be added weight however the increase in performance/ longevity, I would guess, would out weigh (pun intended) the negatives….
That being said, which part is the most important out of the list of possible upgrades? It is for absolutely sure the heat exchanger. This has been proven for years in the Q50 & Q60’s.
If our friend above wants to add all three and then go to the track and then report back his findings, who are we to nay say his track day test and tune process?

 

[kevinbonds]

Isn’t the Nismo Z a daily driver that is meant to run on the track “here or there” ? Nissan added an aux heat exchanger as well as an aux radiator to keep things cool. Assuming that an aftermarket radiator is a proven design and has more cores than factory, couldn’t we assume that it would help to keep high temps at bay? Also, a larger more efficient oil cooler would probably do the same I would think. As long as your cooling isn’t so efficient that you’re not getting up to optimal heat range, the only downside side I can think of would be added weight however the increase in performance/ longevity, I would guess, would out weigh (pun intended) the negatives….
That being said, which part is the most important out of the list of possible upgrades? It is for absolutely sure the heat exchanger. This has been proven for years in the Q50 & Q60’s.
If our friend above wants to add all three and then go to the track and then report back his findings, who are we to nay say his track day test and tune process?

Just stacking parts on each other, does not mean it will be effective, and for all we know could be worse. The Nismo has a new front bumper, with a secondary ducted heat exchanger and also a secondary radiator with ducting as well. The OP can do whatever they want, but I have seen allot of folks bolt on all kinds of crap on their cars, do a track day here or there, and really it adds no value. I spent a couple years tracking a spec Miata and a gutted 350z, and I learned allot about engineering, and what works and what doesn't. If someone is tracking the car so hard, they need a full cooling overhaul, then they need new brakes, new tires, new rotors, upgraded brake fluid, upgraded brake lines, clutch lines, the list goes on and on..

 

[Thefunk]

then they need new brakes, new tires, new rotors, upgraded brake fluid, upgraded brake lines, clutch lines, the list goes on and on..

I actually did upgrade the brake system except for the calipers. I can't see how extra cooling will hurt the engine especially on track. It might take a little longer for the oil to get to op temp in colder weather as I drive. My concern is fitment not efficacy. I'm definitely getting the bigger oil cooler from CZP. I'm trying to figure out if a thicker core and charged air rad will fit together and also allow clearance for the thicker oil cooler. Last time I was on track a week ago, I saw the oil peak at 270F! But was averaging about 260F because it was a coolish day and cloudy.

I may not track often (yet) but when I do I try to send it. I'm not going to the track for a relaxing fun day...

 

[kevinbonds]

I actually did upgrade the brake system except for the calipers. I can't see how extra cooling will hurt the engine especially on track. It might take a little longer for the oil to get to op temp in colder weather as I drive. My concern is fitment not efficacy. I'm definitely getting the bigger oil cooler from CZP. I'm trying to figure out if a thicker core and charged air rad will fit together and also allow clearance for the thicker oil cooler. I may not track often (yet) but when I do I try to send it. I'm not going to the track for a relaxing fun day...

There is allot of engineering that goes into tolerances for various coolers, as well as temps and other such things. I would be concerned about stacking various parts into the front end of the car, and just hoping it works. That's the reason why the Nismo has ducted auxiliary coolers that run-in tandem to the coolers that we see on the non-Nismo cars. As mentioned, I have a concept Z heat exchanger on order, and I am confident a heat exchanger will be a value add, since it's been proved on the Q50 and Q60 platform for years. All that being said, I would say go for it, and see how it works, and report back.

 

[Thefunk]

There is allot of engineering that goes into tolerances for various coolers, as well as temps and other such things. I would be concerned about stacking various parts into the front end of the car, and just hoping it works. That's the reason why the Nismo has ducted auxiliary coolers that run-in tandem to the coolers that we see on the non-Nismo cars. As mentioned, I have a concept Z heat exchanger on order, and I am confident a heat exchanger will be a value add, since it's been proved on the Q50 and Q60 platform for years. All that being said, I would say go for it, and see how it works, and report back.

Well the only two parts that would be stacked are the core and heat ex coolers, the bigger oil cooler uses the stock fitment. I can't find the stock core rad thickness anywhere online. Also since I'm taking the front bumper off for the oil cooler might as well do the other rad(s).

 

[dyc1077]

I would be interested to try a nismo front bumper and add the auxillary coolers on the side. manual transmission was a requirement in getting the Z for me so nismo trim was not an option.

 

[VR30Infection]

I would be interested to try a nismo front bumper and add the auxillary coolers on the side. manual transmission was a requirement in getting the Z for me so nismo trim was not an option.

same with me. Needed the 6spd.

 

[kevinbonds]

same with me. Needed the 6spd.

That makes three of us. I am playing the wait and see game with this car. In the past I would rush to order all kinds of parts. As more cars we are hitting the streets more parts are coming to market. I would love a bumper similar to the Nismo, that would allow for the ducted cooling that you get on the Nismo. Personally, I think a Nismo from bumper would look odd on a performance, since the bumper ties in with the other body effects on the Nismo,

 

[VR30Infection]

That makes three of us. I am playing the wait and see game with this car. In the past I would rush to order all kinds of parts. As more cars we are hitting the streets more parts are coming to market. I would love a bumper similar to the Nismo, that would allow for the ducted cooling that you get on the Nismo. Personally, I think a Nismo from bumper would look odd on a performance, since the bumper ties in with the other body effects on the Nismo,

Agreed. It would look out of place unless you add the side skirts and rear.

 

[Thefunk]

I also want to eventually replace the front grill so it's more uniform like the bottom half black grill. Also maybe a 70/30 split where 70% of the top of the grill directs air towards the rads and the bottom half will have angled fins to deliver air to the oil cooler more efficiently.