QUIKAG

In my previous Vette, I was able to monitor oil temperature and oil pressure easily using the functions available in it's instrument cluster. My '05 S2000 do not have these features.

Is anyone aware of whether or not the factory oil cooler is sufficient to keep the oil at a safe temperature during very hard road course work? I am using synthetic, but still am curious if the oil will stay at a safe temperature?

GrimReaper

It depends on what your setup is on your S. I have a mostly stock S (I/E) and this past October I saw temps of 134C (273F) on the track (Pahrump, NV). Ambient temps were around 80*. Some of the hardcore guys have been running without an additional oil cooler for many years, simply using the stock one. Personally, I'm not comfortable with these temps and just purchased an oil cooler/thermostat to install before my next outing. I think that at these temps, oil can break down, but the popular thought is that if you're running synthetic, you should be fine. I'm just on the anal side, since this is my daily driver as well and also because I need another project to work on .

-sam

QUIKAG

Thanks, how hard are you running your car at Pahrump? I'm comfortable with 273F with M1 synthetic. I just have an air intake and car is otherwise stock. I guess it should be fine for my purposes.

I saw upwards of 300F with my C5 with no coolers at all. That's pretty hot.

mikegarrison

I do about 15 track days a year, with a completely stock engine. No problems so far. Castrol Syntec.

GrimReaper

I'm not sure what you mean by this question. I'm a relative n00b when it comes to track days. I pretty much just started. Mikegarrison does much more than I do and he's on a stock motor, if that's any indication.

Like I said, I don't think that it's a necessity for stock motors, I just really like wrenching on my car so I wanted to install one as a project.

-sam

QUIKAG

My question has basically been answered, but when I ask how hard are you running the car, I mean in a 30 minute session how many of those minutes are in VTEC? I basically am shooting for about 28-29 out of every 30 minutes on the track will be in VTEC. I run my cars very hard on the track.

cdelena

All of us that have run at TWS during the hot summer have pretty much proven that the stock cooling systems are OK for 20-30 minute sessions. Many of us have run 30+ minute sessions in 100+F weather using VTEC 99% of the time without problems. I have logged coolant temps that stay within range even under heavy loads down the straight after more than ten laps so I don't think oil temps are getting too high.

hk20000

there is an oild cooler for an S2000??? First time hearing that....

at least Japanese ones never had one.

mikegarrison

No. Just fins on the oil pan. However, there is some heat exchanged from the oil to the engine coolant.

CoralDoc

At the base of the oil filter there is a small oil cooler.

I would run 30-40 minute sessions down here in Florida in the middle of the summer with no overheating problems. Mobil 1 was used in the car.