Car54

I know that the 2015 Z51 A8 boys and girls are anxiously awaiting the gm performance A8 cooling kit. It was rumored to be available in January but here we are at the end of January and the kit has not showed. In another thread an OP was told by their dealer that it would be spring. If that is the case we would be close to loosing another good year of track duty and I am running out of time.

So why wouldn't this be an alternative. I am listing below the 2016 Z51 A8 parts that make up the cooler on the 2016. Why wouldn't these be direct bolt-on to the 2015 Z51 A8? Prices shown are approximate from looking at several vendors online and a local dealer. Here is the parts list:

Baffle to mount cooler 23307148. $90 (may not be needed-see next four part numbers and post 120)
Retainer to mount cooler (need 2) (pushpin) 11589289. $3
Reinforcement to mount cooler (need 2) 22783711. $17
Seal for rear of cooler mount 23264636.$29
Retainer for Seal (pushpin) 11612035. $3
Bolts to mount cooler (4) 11569792. $12
Front trans cooler 84113004. $200
Trans Fluid Pipe from cooler to pipe over front wheelhouse 23307983. $40
Trans Fluid Pipe over front wheelhouse 23378793. $125
Trans Fluid Pipe thru rocker panel 84007064. $85
Trans Fluid Pipe over rear wheelhouse to rear cooler 23347505. $66
Cooler Assembly-Trans Fluid RR Aux 23283460 (this is the Z06 rear cooler but with the Z51 fan) $202
Baffle Assembly-Trans Fluid 23212340 $57
Trans Fluid Pipe rear cooler to Transmission 23370670. $95
Z06 Grill (GM Performance Part) 23387122. $275
Bracket for line over front wheelhouse 23264683, $5.00
Nut to hold bracket to existing stud 11609716, $4.00
Bracket for line over front wheelhouse 23269935, $3.00
Bolt to hold bracket to front brace 11519376, $3.00
Z06 rear quarter panel air scoops 22898851,22898852, $95.00 each (these are now available in body color--different part nos.)

Total approximate cost $1452

So tell me why this would not work.

thanks

bill

Note: The "kit" is finally finished. See post 53 and 54 in this thread for the rest of the story...as Paul Harvey used to say.

See post 122 for special pricing on the "kit" set up by jrider. Thanks Joe.

kp

I'm sure the lower valance where the cooler is mounted is different too, something has to hold the cooler. Also those lines have to be T'd off somewhere, either the trans or the rear cooler, not sure that involves different rear cooler/trans lines.

From what I have read the cooler limes under the rocker are installed before the rocker panel so its not easy to add the factory lines. I have not seen the lines in person or where they are actually mounted, just from what I read..

3X2

Not for the inexperienced. KP is correct, the rocker panel needs to be removed. If it were me, I would adapt it to AN fittings and run -6 hose through the rocker.

Jay_Davis

I can't believe we are still waiting with no information at all. "Spring" could mean June, assuming that's even accurate. Around here the season starts the end of April and I've had it with the transmission overheating in 10 to 15 minutes.

We also have no idea of the price. Now how much we should have to pay for a car that was promised to be "track ready" is a different story, but from my perspective something between $1000 and $1500 wouldn't be horrible, but if its more than that I'm not going to be happy at all.

Car54

You may be right about the lower valance being different, but I hope not. It should be the same as on the Z06 as on the 2015 Z51 as well as the 2016 Z51. If it is not, then you should be able to change it out with a 2016 Z51 panel. The same would have to happen with the "kit".

Not sure about the lines having to be T"d off. All the lines would be replaced with the 2016 parts that I listed. You are eliminating the tube type porcupine coolers behind the differential in the 2015 Z51 A8. The tube type coolers are not on the 2016 Z51 A8.

Are you thinking that running a -6 line thru the rocker would keep you from having to remove the rocker?

3X2

Yes. I've done it dozens of times with no issues. I use -6 Aeroquip socketless hoses and fittings. All my builds use AN hose and hose ends.

I haven't seen the underside of an automatic Z to see how the lines are connected. There's a company whose name I can't remember right now that makes an adapter fitting that converts GM's quick connect type fittings to AN -6 male. The other fitting is a GM trans fitting connected to a Aeroquip -6 adapter.

Car54

I am familiar with -6 lines and the adapter for AN to GM quick connect. I used them when I installed an auxiliary Trans Cooler in my 2006 Z51 A6. What I am struggling with is how pushing thru 2 -6 lines is easier than pushing thru the factory lines.

thanks

bill

3X2

Factory lines are probably pre bent steel or aluminum, which is why the rocker panel needs to be removed. The -6 line is flexible and will slide through the opening between the rocker and framerail.

Jet Vet

I recently sent a PM to the folks at LG asking for an approximate time when their larger capacity pan might be ready for the A8, but the only reply was that they "are working on it". Not really any information I didn't already know.

JV

3X2

Hopefully this picture helps in seeing how GM ran the cooler pipes through the rocker.

Car54

Here is another view

3X2

The pictures shown are for a Z06 M5U (auto trans) car. The cooler (#2) and fan are also larger on the Z06 than on a Z51 car. The Z06 M5U fan uses 3 wires as opposed to the Z51 that uses 2. The good news is, the Z51 fan mounts to the larger Z06 cooler

Car54

Thanks for the insight. You clearly know a lot more about this than me. All I know is I asked my local dealer parts counter to give me the part numbers for the 2016 z51 a8 cooler and lines. The part numbers I posted are what he gave me and the picture is also. If the picture is incorrect then the part numbers may be also. Do you have a source that can verify the part numbers?

Thanks

Bill

3X2

It may take me a day or so to track down the numbers for the picture you posted. I'm in the process of building a SCCA T1LP C7 and I'm looking into additional trans cooling for the 7 speed manual trans. It turns out that the #15 trans cooler is where the GM aux radiator cooler is located and I can't use it as an extra trans cooler until i get enough trans temp data, i won't be able to confirm if the Z06 trans cooler can keep the trans fluid temp at a reasonable level. This is why the A8 cars can't use GM's aux radiator cooler.

Car54

Do you know if the larger A8 rear Z06 cooler and fan will fit on the Z51?

3X2

It fits the car. What I do not know is if it fits under Z51 bodywork since I'm using Z06 quarters and rear fascia. Another concern is the Z06 fan uses 3 wires as opposed to two wires, but the Z51 fan fits the Z06 cooler. You would also need 23212340 inlet duct. I'd also add 23373152 inlet scoops.

5thGear

Let me give you this advice. Do not try to fit factory lines on a Z51. It will not work. It cannot be done after the car is fully built. See page 7 of below thread

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...n-track-7.html

I had a 2015 Z51 A8 and the performance shop I used went with steel braided lines and passed it through the tunnel. They mounted setrab cooler upfront in front of the radiator. all the parts used (lines, insulation, fittings, thermostats, cooler) came from Setrab USA. I tracked the car after that in advance level for 25 minutes in 90F ambient and never had issues where in the past the transmission overheated in 60F ambient at much slower pace. I used Excelsior motorsports in San Diego for this job.
I eventually sold the car and went with a manual Z06.

3X2

I agree with Ali, production lines are not the way to go unless the rocker is off the car- something I would not recommend doing. Like I said in post #8, -6 AN hose ran through the rocker would work. Personally, I would use Aeroquip socketless hose. It is a lot easier to work with than SS hose.

Car54

Let the fun begin. Here is the starter kit for the A8 cooling kit. kp was right the baffle that holds the cooler needed to be added to my parts list. It must have been a senior moment. It is part number 23307148 and is about $90.00.

3X2

Waiting for mine to arrive, except mine is for coolant. Does your car have the openings in the front impact bar?