C5 oil cooler- custom install. Many pics.
#1
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C5 oil cooler- custom install. Many pics.
Hi everyone,
Like many, I've been battling oil temps on track, especially being in Houston. I found a good price on most of the parts needed for an oil cooler install, but had to custom make mounts, make the lines, etc. I found that there weren't a ton of pictures of installed oil coolers when I was looking, so I thought I'd add the pictures of my fabrication/install process. Hopefully it might help somebody someday. I took it to the track last week, and it performed well- 90 degF ambient and highest temp I saw in a 20 min session was 268 degF. Still a bit warm, but better than previously when it would hit 280 after two laps. I have a small website that a buddy and I use just to share what we're working on- it has all the commentary and more detail pictures if anyone is interested. http://axiom1.com/corvette.html
Anyhow, here are the pictures. Questions, comments, and suggestions are always welcome.
-damen
Like many, I've been battling oil temps on track, especially being in Houston. I found a good price on most of the parts needed for an oil cooler install, but had to custom make mounts, make the lines, etc. I found that there weren't a ton of pictures of installed oil coolers when I was looking, so I thought I'd add the pictures of my fabrication/install process. Hopefully it might help somebody someday. I took it to the track last week, and it performed well- 90 degF ambient and highest temp I saw in a 20 min session was 268 degF. Still a bit warm, but better than previously when it would hit 280 after two laps. I have a small website that a buddy and I use just to share what we're working on- it has all the commentary and more detail pictures if anyone is interested. http://axiom1.com/corvette.html
Anyhow, here are the pictures. Questions, comments, and suggestions are always welcome.
-damen
Last edited by damenh85; 07-04-2014 at 04:47 PM.
#2
Drifting
Clean out that rad and it'll drop even further you'll be shocked how much junk gets in there and if you have a/c clean out it and the space between the rad and condenser.
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Right off Bingle, north of I-10. 2,000 s.f. with air conditioned offices. Makes it bearable to work in the summer when you work for 45 mins or so, then take a break in the A/C- being in Houston, I'm sure you understand!
#6
Drifting
#7
Pro
Nice write up.
What are the aluminum brackets for below the cooler?
Never mind, those are for the OEM spoiler that was off for the install.
What are the aluminum brackets for below the cooler?
Never mind, those are for the OEM spoiler that was off for the install.
Last edited by gfacter; 05-14-2012 at 01:17 PM.
#8
Safety Car
Is the cooler internally divided to force the oil to go through the entire cooler? If not, it seems the majority of the oil would take the path of least resistance and go from one port to the other w/o flowing through the cooler itself.
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When measured with an infrared pyrometer, the temperature readings across the face of the cooler are pretty uniform, so I assume that oil is routed through the entire cooler.
#13
Safety Car
Best way to do this is remove the radiator and pressure wash it from the back. I tried air and hose water and they paled in comparison to simply removing the radiator and pressure washing it. No bent fins either, just hit it straight on. Hold it up to the sunlight to ensure you're done. Since you can't hit the AC head on, you will bend fins with it in the car trying to pressure wash it.
#16
#17
Safety Car
Similar to how I installed my Setrab, except I ran my metal bars all the way to the top of the condensor and covered the top part with duct tape. I was afraid it would start bouncing off the condensor, but my brackets are not as thick as yours though.
Thanks for posting as this will be a good reference for someone in the future.
Thanks for posting as this will be a good reference for someone in the future.
#18
Le Mans Master
How in the world did he get a wrench on the top AN fitting to get it tight?
From the looks of it, it appears as though the cooler was installed, then the hoses attached afterward, but maybe he disassembled it, attached the hose then reinstalled it.
From the looks of it, it appears as though the cooler was installed, then the hoses attached afterward, but maybe he disassembled it, attached the hose then reinstalled it.
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Hi everyone- sorry I missed all these posts; for some reason I didn't receive any notifications...
If I remember correctly, it was about 10 feet. I'm not 100% sure though, sorry.
I got lucky and found the Setrab 625 cooler, 10 ft of AN line, and the Mocal thermostat/take-off block for $250 from someone going in a different direction. I only had to buy fittings, $10 worth of steel, then plenty of my time which I value at 0
The brackets are 1/4" steel flat stock, so hopefully it won't flex. Just in case, though, I added dense foam to the back in case of contact with the a/c condenser.
I tightened the AN fittings before placing the cooler in the final position and bolting the brackets.
Similar to how I installed my Setrab, except I ran my metal bars all the way to the top of the condensor and covered the top part with duct tape. I was afraid it would start bouncing off the condensor, but my brackets are not as thick as yours though.
Thanks for posting as this will be a good reference for someone in the future.
Thanks for posting as this will be a good reference for someone in the future.
I tightened the AN fittings before placing the cooler in the final position and bolting the brackets.