C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

Oil Cooler

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Old Jun 1, 2008 | 09:53 AM
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Default Oil Cooler

I have a 94 lt1 with a vortech supercharger. My oil temps are way higher than I would like after a long drive. After an hour of highway driving my oil temp reached 260 and the water reached 230. I suspect that the high oil temp is causing the water to be that high. The outside temp on the A/C read 95 so it was pretty hot outside. Either way, I was wanting to install an oil cooler. I was looking at attaching a 10" x 11" B&M plate type cooler in front of the radiator. I just wanted to get opinions from guys here if this is a good idea. Is this the best place to mount it?
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Old Jun 1, 2008 | 10:13 AM
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I think it is the other way around. Work on the coolant temp first. I also think blocking the front of the radiator is a bad idea. Look at where the Z51 oil coolers are mounted for your car.
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Old Jun 1, 2008 | 01:45 PM
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Since the oil was 30 degrees hotter than the water, I thought that was the cause of the problem. I think the oil is normally only 15-20 deg higher.
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Old Jun 1, 2008 | 01:57 PM
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Originally Posted by BADDUCK
I think it is the other way around. Work on the coolant temp first. I also think blocking the front of the radiator is a bad idea. Look at where the Z51 oil coolers are mounted for your car.
There are no oil coolers on LT1 or 4 cars. There is a *power steering* cooler mounted in front of the front cross-member.

The ZR1s had their oil cooler mounted in the space between the radiator and A/C condensor.
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Old Jun 1, 2008 | 02:51 PM
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Originally Posted by 96GS#007
There are no oil coolers on LT1 or 4 cars. There is a *power steering* cooler mounted in front of the front cross-member.

The ZR1s had their oil cooler mounted in the space between the radiator and A/C condensor.
I replaced the radiator with one with a built in oil cooler from Dewitts.
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Old Jun 1, 2008 | 03:56 PM
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Originally Posted by 96GS#007
There are no oil coolers on LT1 or 4 cars. There is a *power steering* cooler mounted in front of the front cross-member.

The ZR1s had their oil cooler mounted in the space between the radiator and A/C condensor.
My L98 oil cooler is under the car. I didn't know LT1's NEVER had them. In that case I still wouldn't block the radiator.
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Old Jun 1, 2008 | 08:47 PM
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Originally Posted by BADDUCK
My L98 oil cooler is under the car. I didn't know LT1's NEVER had them. In that case I still wouldn't block the radiator.
That "oil cooler" is a ps cooler. Pull a line off and it'll bleed ps fluid (I had a '90 Z51 L98 car).

The "oil cooler" on an L98 car fits between the oil filter and the block, basically like a little donut. Doesn't do much of anything other than helping speed warm up.

And yes....Corvette LT1s and 4s NEVER had oil coolers. Some Impalas DID have oil coolers.
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Old Jun 1, 2008 | 08:54 PM
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Originally Posted by 96GS#007
That "oil cooler" is a ps cooler. Pull a line off and it'll bleed ps fluid (I had a '90 Z51 L98 car).

The "oil cooler" on an L98 car fits between the oil filter and the block, basically like a little donut. Doesn't do much of anything other than helping speed warm up.

And yes....Corvette LT1s and 4s NEVER had oil coolers. Some Impalas DID have oil coolers.
Thank you Mr Know It All. Like I give a S**T
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Old Jun 1, 2008 | 09:34 PM
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260 is not all that bad, but if you really start driving it, it'll likely sore over 300.

Drive down the highway in 3rd gear for a while. If your hitting the 300 mark, then it's time for a cooler. Your SC has pushed the factory cooling system a little to far.
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Old Jun 1, 2008 | 11:20 PM
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Originally Posted by BADDUCK
Thank you Mr Know It All. Like I give a S**T

You're welcome moron.

If you don't know, quit arguing.

If you don't care, quit answering.

Bad information from someone is worse than no information.

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Old Jun 1, 2008 | 11:26 PM
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Originally Posted by 96GS#007
You're welcome moron.

If you don't know, quit arguing.

If you don't care, quit answering.

Bad information from someone is worse than no information.

For your information my Z51 has a working oil cooler. I don't know about your POS car.
As usual you were zero help to the poster, just more of your know it all attitude and no solutions. All you want is to find fault with others. I guess that makes you feel like a big man....little man.
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Old Jun 2, 2008 | 12:15 AM
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Originally Posted by BADDUCK
Thank you Mr Know It All. Like I give a S**T
Originally Posted by 96GS#007
You're welcome moron.

If you don't know, quit arguing.

If you don't care, quit answering.

Bad information from someone is worse than no information.

96GS#007, this guy is an idiot, pay him no mind.

Oil cooler's stopped being installed in C4 Corvettes when GM when to Mobil 1. My car is a '90, and I have one, so I think it was '92 that stopped installing them.

To the OP, what everyone is telling you that you need to work on the cooling system, not an oil cooler. DeWitts radiator and an electric water pump will do the trick.

Randy
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Old Jun 2, 2008 | 03:32 PM
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Originally Posted by RandyJ75
96GS#007, this guy is an idiot, pay him no mind.

Oil cooler's stopped being installed in C4 Corvettes when GM when to Mobil 1. My car is a '90, and I have one, so I think it was '92 that stopped installing them.

To the OP, what everyone is telling you that you need to work on the cooling system, not an oil cooler. DeWitts radiator and an electric water pump will do the trick.

Randy
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Old Jun 2, 2008 | 04:02 PM
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Default Bummer!

"For your information my Z51 has a working oil cooler. I don't know about your POS car."

Dude.....a POS Car? I better trade in my GS immediately......And to believe this whole time I thought I had a pretty sweet ride.....Dang!
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Old Jun 2, 2008 | 04:21 PM
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Originally Posted by RandyJ75
96GS#007, this guy is an idiot, pay him no mind.

Oil cooler's stopped being installed in C4 Corvettes when GM when to Mobil 1. My car is a '90, and I have one, so I think it was '92 that stopped installing them.

To the OP, what everyone is telling you that you need to work on the cooling system, not an oil cooler. DeWitts radiator and an electric water pump will do the trick.

Randy
You are the idiot. I have a 1989 Z51 and I have an oil cooler like I said.
Also on the first answer in this thread I said work on the coolant temperature not the oil oil temp first. So two days later you agree completely with me yet call me an idiot.
Can you not even read or are you too lazy!
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Old Jun 2, 2008 | 07:21 PM
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It is definately the oil heating up the water. On a shorter drive through town in the same heat, the water was at 225 and the oil was at 215. After a couple of minutes of driving at speed, the oil was up to 227 and the water was down to 215. The cooling system is good enough to keep the engine cool before then oil gets real hot. I am going to go ahead and do an oil cooler first and see how well that does. The radiator and electric water pump are good ideas, but significantly more expensive than an oil cooler.

On a side note, I did buy a DeWitt's radiator for my C3 and it cools great.

Thanks for all of the responses.
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Old Jun 2, 2008 | 09:38 PM
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Originally Posted by MassaRusty
It is definately the oil heating up the water. On a shorter drive through town in the same heat, the water was at 225 and the oil was at 215. After a couple of minutes of driving at speed, the oil was up to 227 and the water was down to 215. The cooling system is good enough to keep the engine cool before then oil gets real hot. I am going to go ahead and do an oil cooler first and see how well that does. The radiator and electric water pump are good ideas, but significantly more expensive than an oil cooler.

On a side note, I did buy a DeWitt's radiator for my C3 and it cools great.

Thanks for all of the responses.
Compared to a quality oil cooler setup, it would be just as cost effective to buy the DeWitts radiator with the integrated oil cooler.

If you still go the oil cooler route, be prepared to buy an oil thermostat. Often times when adding a cooler, the oil won't warm enough without the t-stat. Of course the size of the cooler plays into the equation as well.
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