Hi Guys,I have a 450-475HP Stroker in my 76.Has anyone installed a oil cooler set-up in their C3?I am just wondering how much more oil I will need to run in her,and the real world benefits or negative things that go along with this item.The company promises more horsepower and things like everyone else selling go fast things.So I just thought I would check with you guys for the real answers.Thanks for any answers.Bobby

 

I ran a tube and fin oil cooler for years in my 78 L-82 4 speed since the late 70's L-82's ran really hot-my L-82 ran 225-235 water temp normally….I ditched the oil cooler several years ago when I finally smartened up and bought a Dewitts radiator along with an aluminum Stewart Stage 2 water pump and the engine finally would run really cool. I ran the engine oil cooler for about 20 years and here is what I learned from that exercise for a street driven C3:

1. If you don't have an oil temp gauge, get one to see exactly what the oil temp is now. I put an 82 oil temp gauge in where the clock is in 1985..The oil temp gauge will tell you if you really need a cooler..

2. If you only drive on the street, I would guess that you do not need a cooler. Does the water temp run high now?

3. If you have an automatic, I would highly recommend a trans cooler over an oil cooler on the street.

4. I have a 425-450 HP rebuilt L-82- 355 now since the spring and the coolant and oil temps are low. No oil cooler needed.

5. Running a tube and fin cooler like I had is not the best setup if you decide to use an oil cooler-I would only run a double stack oil cooler which is much more efficient along with a temperature control in the sandwich at the oil filter.

6. If you run an oil cooler with rubber reinforced lines, not braided Stainless steel, you run the risk of a rupture and engine failure. The long oil lines also will cost you about 5 lbs of oil pressure, at lower engine revs, without a higher pressure oil pump-not good.

Hope that helps!

 

Hi JB,You answered my question.I switched to a high quality aluminum radiator back early last summer.I dont have the fan shroud for my electric fan due to being sent the wrong part and still waiting on the replacement,but during the hottest days of summer I would run at 200 degrees to 220 if caught in traffic.During these cooler months she runs at 170-175.Im sure that after I install the fan shroud,she should run alot cooler during the summer months also.Please correct me if Im wrong,What your saying is I need to get a oil temp guage before I will actually know if I need a oil cooler or not?What would be considered as cool as far as the oil temps?I mean I built this car from a empty body without even any glass in her,but I know nothing about oil temps,and what would be considered hot or cool.

 

Yes, you need to get an oil temp gauge to see what the oil temp is now before I would consider a cooler. Normal oil temp on my L-82 355 is about 175 degrees. BTW-same as on my 10 Z06 which does have an oil cooler from the GM factory but this car is really a track car on the street. You really don't need a cooler unless the temp runs routinely >200 degrees on a regular basis.

 

Well, there's a new one (?)

You don't need an oil cooler.

 

[QUOTE=jb78L-82;1588482318]Yes, you need to get an oil temp gauge to see what the oil temp is now before I would consider a cooler. Normal oil temp on my L-82 355 is about 175 degrees. BTW-same as on my 10 Z06 which does have an oil cooler from the GM factory but this car is really a track car on the street. You really don't need a cooler unless the temp runs routinely >200 degrees on a regular basis.[/I do thankyou for helping me out,I will take your advise and get a Oil Temp guage for Rosie and see what I have going on with my oil temps.That way I will have a much better idea on which way I need to go.Have a great day.