Leo z51

At the track my engine oil temp runs up to about 275-280. Is this typical for a Z51 C6? This is on a 20-30 minute session. Do most of you road course guys run after market oil coolers? If so what do you recommend? I was thinking of adding a Z06 oil cooler in series with the oil cooler that is part of the stock radiator. Give me some advice please.

davidfarmer

normal, my old Z06 C5 hit 320 more than once

**but an oil cooler certainly wouldn't be a bad investment, but IMHO high temp stability is the primary reason to run synthetic oils.

rustyguns

yes very normal...if temps are that high or higher use 40-50 weight oil and you will be fine

gkmccready

I can hit 300f pretty easy at Thunderhill in the summer with the C6 Z51. I'm thinking of doing a DRM configuration to try to get the temps down.

Danny318

So it seems that 280 is not really 'too hot'?

bgx12

If the air temp is above 80 I can easily get readings in the high 280's to low 290's. I have an oil cooler as my very next mod.

Joy of 6

I was at Thunderhill a few weekends ago and the air was 92 degrees. My stock (no additional coolers) 2002 Z06 got up to 280 on the oil and I run 5/30 oil. No issues at all. Also have a buddy with an 01 Z and he did not have any problems either

rustyguns

280 on a track= OK

GrantB

Synthetic oils (especially ones like Redline and Motul) may not sheer at higher temps, but they loose viscosity just like any other oil. But, keep in mind Corvette oil temperature senders are before the cooler, so oil going into the motor is (I think) going to be cooler than what your gauge reads.

I can easily hit 285F with the LPE (post-radiator) Setrab cooler. 300+F would probably be possible if I just kept winding it out on a fast track.

Does anyone here run the Pfadt license-plate mounted cooler? It looks like it might be very effective, due to the airflow it gets.

longdaddy

i run pfadt cooler with the front opening. temps went from 290-300 on a hot day to about 255-260, highest I have seen with the cooler was about 270. highest I have seen without the cooler was 305 , then my coolant boiled.

I got very nervous when I have started seeing my oil temps go towards 300 degrees, hence the investment.

Jason

Do those come with oil coolers?

986_C6

Yup!

fatbillybob

I was thinking the same thing. Has anyone ever measured the oil temp coming out of the stock cooler?

Z06_BluByU

I didnt think the C5z06 had a stock oil cooler...

that little cooler in front of the rack is the PS cooler.

longdaddy

there is no oil cooler on stock C5Z, thus 300 degree temps that people are seeing on a regular basis.

fatbillybob

Oh...my bad. My car works so well I know nothing about it nor do I look beyond gas and oil and how to align it. I thought there was an integrated oil cooler with the radiator and then a separate PS cooler but you guys know and I surely do not.

C5racecar

280 is near the breakdown temp for a natural oil, no problem for a synthetic oil. If you keep the oil cool, you have less chance of a bearing failure.
I have a C&R radiator with a built in oil cooler, it runs around 250-260 on a hot day, that's what I like to see. If you are running track sessions at 280+, I would invest in a good cooler.

rfn026

I run about 250. I used to run above 260 so I went to a 5W-30 oil. The car runs much cooler now. When you get up to the 40 weight stuff you increase the friction - which creates heat. You'll get a significant drop in temps if you go to a lighter weight oil.

I think a lot of the NASCAR folks are running 0 weight oil - but you can never be sure about what they're up to. I can remember when we used to qualify with NO oil in the engine. It was a little expensive but dam*n it was fast.

Richard Newton
Race Cars 360

AU N EGL

an oil cooler is one of the best mods you can do for your car.

Z06_BluByU

I thought the breakdown temp for syn. oil was much higher.. like +/- 350*