What did you do with your Z today? 🙋🏻‍♂️

[KrackaC8]

Installed my Stillen front swaybar this morning (rear coming soon, when I install the AWE exhaust). While I was at it, I took the opportunity of the plastic under panel being off to port out the oil cooler ducting; rough estimate is it's now enlarged by +50% from stock. Back to the swaybar, softest setting for now until I get the rear on as well. Install was easy and fitment perfect reusing the stock links/brackets/bushings. I cleaned the brackets & bushings and relubricated then with a packet of Energy suspension grease. Zero squeaks on the test-drive to get tacos!

 

[Bumflik]

Superb install!!! You are the man!

 

[up4speed]

Installed my Stillen front swaybar this morning (rear coming soon, when I install the AWE exhaust). While I was at it, I took the opportunity of the plastic under panel being off to port out the oil cooler ducting; rough estimate is it's now enlarged by +50% from stock. Back to the swaybar, softest setting for now until I get the rear on as well. Install was easy and fitment perfect reusing the stock links/brackets/bushings. I cleaned the brackets & bushings and relubricated then with a packet of Energy suspension grease. Zero squeaks on the test-drive to get tacos!

I have a silly question regarding the increase of air opening in the front belly pan. If it was so easy to "improve" the cooling by just cutting away a little plastic, then why wouldn't the factory mold it with a bigger opening, which would save them plastic and decrease cost?
I'm trying to think of it logically. Perhaps the angle of the opening changes when you cut it away, or the velocity of the air increases as it enters with a smaller opening, thus, actually improving the overall cooling?
I feel like an engineer usually has a purpose in mind when they design something, so I'm trying to figure out their thought process. OR, possibly, the way you cut it., it would be better under certain situations, but stock would be better in other situations?
Did you happen to see a difference in the oil temps? Do you track the car? I would like to see if there is any difference in extreme situations as well.
If there are any engineers in here, I would love to hear their thoughts

 

[Bumflik]

I have a silly question regarding the increase of air opening in the front belly pan. If it was so easy to "improve" the cooling by just cutting away a little plastic, then why wouldn't the factory mold it with a bigger opening, which would save them plastic and decrease cost?
I'm trying to think of it logically. Perhaps the angle of the opening changes when you cut it away, or the velocity of the air increases as it enters with a smaller opening, thus, actually improving the overall cooling?
I feel like an engineer usually has a purpose in mind when they design something, so I'm trying to figure out their thought process. OR, possibly, the way you cut it., it would be better under certain situations, but stock would be better in other situations?
Did you happen to see a difference in the oil temps? Do you track the car? I would like to see if there is any difference in extreme situations as well.
If there are any engineers in here, I would love to hear their thoughts

Great questions and points made.

 

[KrackaC8]

I have a silly question regarding the increase of air opening in the front belly pan. If it was so easy to "improve" the cooling by just cutting away a little plastic, then why wouldn't the factory mold it with a bigger opening, which would save them plastic and decrease cost?
I'm trying to think of it logically. Perhaps the angle of the opening changes when you cut it away, or the velocity of the air increases as it enters with a smaller opening, thus, actually improving the overall cooling?
I feel like an engineer usually has a purpose in mind when they design something, so I'm trying to figure out their thought process. OR, possibly, the way you cut it., it would be better under certain situations, but stock would be better in other situations?
Did you happen to see a difference in the oil temps? Do you track the car? I would like to see if there is any difference in extreme situations as well.
If there are any engineers in here, I would love to hear their thoughts

Good, logical, questions! I'll elaborate. I intentionally did not change or modify the angles of the openings to maintain the factory aero. The opening is still smaller than the oil cooler core itself so it's getting more air supply then it can expel. The stock opening size is going to be a balance/compromise to have adequate cooling in the summer heat while also not over-cooling during extreme cold weather Arctic testing (which can be a very real problem in the northern Midwest or Canada). I had a car in college (Minnesota) that needed the radiator blocked off in the winter to provide any warm air out of the heater. Being in Houston, TX and no plans to drive the car in freezing temps, I wanted to skew my cooling towards hot weather performance. I also added Redline WaterWetter to both coolant systems as well for the same reasons.

I'll report back with temp results vs. my stock baseline readings. The only drive so far was taking my wife for lunch.

 

[Bumflik]

I'll report back with temp results vs. my stock baseline readings. The only drive so far was taking my wife for lunch.
[/QUOTE]
You two introduced to the forum some real scientific hypotheses in real world driving . I love this .

 

[KrackaC8]

I'll report back with temp results vs. my stock baseline readings. The only drive so far was taking my wife for lunch.

You two introduced to the forum some real scientific hypotheses in real world driving . I love this .
[/QUOTE]
I should have measured the stock oil cooler openings prior to trimming. If anyone can measure theirs, I'll measure these ones for an exact area increase.

 

[up4speed]

Good, logical, questions! I'll elaborate. I intentionally did not change or modify the angles of the openings to maintain the factory aero. The opening is still smaller than the oil cooler core itself so it's getting more air supply then it can expel. The stock opening size is going to be a balance/compromise to have adequate cooling in the summer heat while also not over-cooling during extreme cold weather Arctic testing (which can be a very real problem in the northern Midwest or Canada). I had a car in college (Minnesota) that needed the radiator blocked off in the winter to provide any warm air out of the heater. Being in Houston, TX and no plans to drive the car in freezing temps, I wanted to skew my cooling towards hot weather performance. I also added Redline WaterWetter to both coolant systems as well for the same reasons.

I'll report back with temp results vs. my stock baseline readings. The only drive so far was taking my wife for lunch.

That makes sense. You have a good point. We have to remember, when cars are designed, they are designed for the masses. If you live in a different climate (or you want to use your car differently from average, ie. track use), your needs can definitely be finetuned and improved for your situation by doing mods to the car.

 

[Drago86]

Good, logical, questions! I'll elaborate. I intentionally did not change or modify the angles of the openings to maintain the factory aero. The opening is still smaller than the oil cooler core itself so it's getting more air supply then it can expel. The stock opening size is going to be a balance/compromise to have adequate cooling in the summer heat while also not over-cooling during extreme cold weather Arctic testing (which can be a very real problem in the northern Midwest or Canada). I had a car in college (Minnesota) that needed the radiator blocked off in the winter to provide any warm air out of the heater. Being in Houston, TX and no plans to drive the car in freezing temps, I wanted to skew my cooling towards hot weather performance. I also added Redline WaterWetter to both coolant systems as well for the same reasons.

I'll report back with temp results vs. my stock baseline readings. The only drive so far was taking my wife for lunch.

OEM oil coolers usually have a thermostat in them, or in their feed plate, for this reason. I'd be shocked if the Z didn't have one.

My guess would be on balancing front cooling with front lift. Dumping high pressure air from the cooling system directly below the nose is generally a bad idea for lift. Also note that the Nismo which according to Nissan makes notable front and read downforce does not vent the oil cooler downwards at all like the normal Z.

 

[KrackaC8]

Good info regarding the Nismo panel! Is the oil cooler then mounted vertically instead of at an angle then? If so, that hot air is then going through the heat exchanger & radiator (which are both enlarged w/aux coolers for the Nismo).

As a note, my modifications are still much smaller openings than either the Z1 or Mishimoto panels. CZP's panel is likely more restrictive than stock.

 

[Neutr0n]

Did the oil catch can, coldish air intake and the strut bar.

 

[Bumflik]

Did the oil catch can, coldish air intake and the strut bar.

Looks good!

 

[Bumflik]

Did the oil catch can, coldish air intake and the strut bar.

Have u grabbed the Blitz CAI , look so cool Blueish i saw aome one with the blue cone filters, yours are open like Blitz I see.

 

[Neutr0n]

Have u grabbed the Blitz CAI , look so cool Blueish i saw some one with the blue cone filters, yours are open like Blitz I see.

i was thinking about it but i hated the fasteners poking out in the air filter.

 

[KrackaC8]

Did the oil catch can, coldish air intake and the strut bar.

Looks great! I did the K&N intakes too..