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

C4-LS swap question?

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Old Apr 23, 2017 | 11:31 AM
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Default C4-LS swap question?

To those of you that have done this swap. I understand that only the LT-5's C4's came with an oil cooler from the factory. What did you do with your LS swap did you put a oil cooler in or did you use a block off plate?
THANKS in advance.
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Old Apr 23, 2017 | 08:53 PM
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Pretty sure there was an oil cooler included on Z51 optioned cars

Depending on application (street driving) might not even need one. I don't run one on my car that is street driven, temps hardly ever cross 235 unless i'm pounding high rpm for a long period of time which never happens on the street.

Run a good synthetic oil and forget about it, IMO
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Old Apr 23, 2017 | 10:33 PM
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Originally Posted by Pwnage1337
Pretty sure there was an oil cooler included on Z51 optioned cars

Depending on application (street driving) might not even need one. I don't run one on my car that is street driven, temps hardly ever cross 235 unless i'm pounding high rpm for a long period of time which never happens on the street.

Run a good synthetic oil and forget about it, IMO
Sounds like a plan if for any reason I could add one later.
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Old Apr 24, 2017 | 01:40 PM
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Originally Posted by 87bob
Sounds like a plan if for any reason I could add one later.
Yeah not really needed for the street, and like you said you can always add it if necessary. Just get a good gauge so you know what your temps are.
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Old Apr 26, 2017 | 08:38 PM
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Originally Posted by Pwnage1337
Pretty sure there was an oil cooler included on Z51 optioned cars
Confirming this. Z51 models also came with the oil cooler. It was basically an adapter that fit between the oil filter and block. Hard lines cycled coolant through the adapter that connected with other hard lines that cycled coolant through 4+3 manual and auto transmission models. The ZF 6 speed equipped cars after 89 did not have trans cooling lines to my knowledge. My oil temp sat around 190-200*F in normal driving never went above 220*F in hard driving or traffic in the summer. Seeing oil temps in the 250-260*F range in traffic is not uncommon in non-Z51 C4s and considered normal operating temp.

If you're doing regular street driving, you'd be fine without one. Oil coolers are meant for the track.
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Old Apr 27, 2017 | 08:05 AM
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..... Before you just block off the oil cooler fittings from the engine , make sure that there is an alternate path for the oil to circulate through the engine and filter that does not involve a bypass or pressure relief valve .....
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Old Apr 27, 2017 | 01:08 PM
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Z51 cars had oil coolers, which are actually more like oil warmers. A true cooler would run an oil line to a oil radiator parked in front of the radiator, ours are doing the opposite.

But its not really needed for street driving.
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Old Apr 27, 2017 | 03:58 PM
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Originally Posted by C409
..... Before you just block off the oil cooler fittings from the engine , make sure that there is an alternate path for the oil to circulate through the engine and filter that does not involve a bypass or pressure relief valve .....
Yes, I realized that, I was looking at some block off plates at Summit racing and saw where they had milled a passage way. Thanks for the heads up.
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