Mobil 1 syn ATF makes an excellant reasonable cost PS fluid.
When the bright red dye in fluid starts to desaturate [washout] in color, time to replace the overheated fluid.

You are correct in that the stock PS cooler is inadequate for agressive driving in hot temperatures if fluid longevity is desired.

 

nice...now get the other coolers and you'll outlast a cop car...

 

it was still boiling after the cooler install? Dang.

I am not sure how efficient that cooler is, but to me a thinner, larger cooler would be more effective than a stubbier, smaller one.

 

cooler efficiency is directly related to surface area, not the shape. the stock power steering cooler is anemic compared to the earl's cooler (ie-stillen).

 

i would have invested in the oil cooler, but after seeing the performance of the power steering cooler, i am wondering if any of these coolers will actually have a long-lasting effect (down the road). i don't think our cars are old enough to really quantitavely measure the effects of either cooler. anyone else have any thoughts on this?

 

I just finished installing oil and ps coolers on my coupe as well. From previous track car experience, the best thing you can do is expose a cooler to more moving air.
Air will take the path of least resistanse and gladly flow around the cooler making the fins and passages less efficiant.

Common options are to place the cooler at a high pressure air inlet like a grill or bumper opening, which will also expose it to road debis and the occasional curb if mounted low.

The cooler can also be placed in a high pressure to low pressure barrier like in a hole cut in the inner wheel well. Air coming in the front openings pressurizes the front end can escape through the cooler in the the lower pressure wheel wells. Also exposed to anything your gummy tires can throw at it.

In my car I built small verticle "fences" in the lower bumper openings to grab the high pressure and ducted it to the coolers, giving the air nowhere to go but through the coolers, then out the bottem of the car. here is an unfinished picture.


The outter edges of the shroud take up about the first inner 7 inches of the lower openings
Christian

 

nice job christian. if/when you get a chance, a pic of those "fences" would be helpful. also, now that i'm thinking about it...since the oil flows within the engine, and the coolant acts to remove heat from the engine, is there really a need for an oil cooler?

after running at willow springs with over two hours of track time (in 20-25 minute intervals) at temps approaching 100+ degrees, i didn't see my coolant temp go up at all.

 

The G35 and 350z have a factory oil cooler in the form of coolant running through the base of the oil filter. For normal and even above normal driving conditions, this would probably be fine. I would bet the oil temps will still come up a little during aggressive driving. The extra cooler is to hopefully keep the oil in the middle to low end of its "happy temp" range. And it keeps me happy too.

Off topic: What organizations set up the events you run your car in?
Christian

 

Use Mobil 1 syn atf as PS fluid it will degrade slower than convention fluid.
Important to check [change] fluid for acidic built up from overheats to protect seals in rack.............after 100,000 miles.

Just like coolant and other lubes [except oil] an annual change of all fluids is the most cost effective.

 

christian, you could check out Speedventures or NASA Pro Racing. speedventures is geared more toward events here in california, while NASA is national.

 

i use amsoil ATF for my ps fluid.

 

the nismo ps cooler on my g installed perfectly with no modifications needed and it is marketed for the z. I wonder bout the stillen design

 

see first post

 

I just got a longer universal one and put it behind my grille. It was ~$40 and is the same size as the Nismo one.

It's on top of the IC and gets airflow from below and above.

 

N1ck - You should move your PS cooler right behind one of the bumper openings. I think it would help a lot more.

TTrank - Where did you get that PS Cooler? It looks exactly like the Nismo they sell for $150. Also, did you cut the hole for the intercooler yourself? I was thinking of doing that, but thought it would look ugly. Your's actually looks good.