C4-LS swap question?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,512
Likes: 49
From: Franklin IN
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.
THANKS in advance.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 3,729
Likes: 190
From: Custer, WI
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
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
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,512
Likes: 49
From: Franklin IN
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
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
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 553
Likes: 277
From: Orlando FL - USA
Racer
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 279
Likes: 2
From: Las Vegas Nevada
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.
If you're doing regular street driving, you'd be fine without one. Oil coolers are meant for the track.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 6,486
Likes: 566
From: Clearwater Florida
..... 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 .....
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,178
Likes: 1,740
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
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.
But its not really needed for street driving.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,512
Likes: 49
From: Franklin IN
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.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers
Joe Kucinski
The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained
Joe Kucinski
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
