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

oil cooler question

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Old Apr 27, 2021 | 03:58 PM
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ok so while I am in there making a mess of anything and everything in sight - I came across the oil cooler - more hoses - I am wondering from those in the know (basically everyone here but me) - do I keep the cooler, remove it -
I am not sure how efficient it is - I suppose any cooler is better than no cooler - maybe?
then use the actual cooler hoses or try the 11138 napa hose - saw a video from someone that used that hoses bends to approximate the original lines

any thoughts or opinions welcome

thanks

Sean
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Old Apr 28, 2021 | 03:49 PM
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some further reading - it maintains or attempts to keep the oil 10* cooler than engine temp - does that sound right -
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Old Apr 28, 2021 | 04:49 PM
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I have it, I kept it when i changed engines.

I tend to look at it more as an oil warmer in cold climates, as it heats the oil with coolant in the mornings. Coolant gets warmed faster. Depends whether you drive in Ohio winters much.

It does not keep oil temps below coolant temps, oil temps tend to stabilize about 10-20F above your coolant temp. However most who have added or removed a factory cooler say it made about 10F difference in the oil temps once stabilized. So if you're cruising at 215F (oil), it would be about 205 with the cooler in place.

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Old Apr 28, 2021 | 05:06 PM
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Might check this recent thread. https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...options-2.html
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Old Apr 29, 2021 | 12:03 AM
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When my oil cooler was plugged my oil temps went to 260 ish but now I have cleaned the system the cooler will do as Vader says keep it close.
I like it alot and did the Napa hose deal.
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Old Apr 29, 2021 | 03:29 AM
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It's design will not help much for cooling, I agree it does however help the oil warm up quickly by the engine coolant.
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Old Apr 29, 2021 | 10:24 AM
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I completely uninstalled mine and plugged the block. With the full synthetic oils of today, it's kind of unnecessary for a street car. In my view anyway. Which, admittedly, is an amateur view, but I haven't even noticed a difference in temps since it was removed.
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Old Apr 29, 2021 | 11:54 AM
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The PO disconnected it and left the adapter in place.
I removed the adapter and was able to use a larger oil filter. I can add about another 8 oz or so. Doesn't sound like a lot, but with oil capacity, more is better.
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Old Apr 29, 2021 | 02:58 PM
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I tend to look at it more as an oil warmer in cold climates, as it heats the oil with coolant in the mornings. Coolant gets warmed faster.
Agree, imo its pretty much useless in Ca, one more set of hoses to leak also.
Next one I have Ill abandon that system and use a real oil cooler.
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Old Apr 29, 2021 | 03:27 PM
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Originally Posted by Natty C
I completely uninstalled mine and plugged the block. With the full synthetic oils of today, it's kind of unnecessary for a street car. In my view anyway. Which, admittedly, is an amateur view, but I haven't even noticed a difference in temps since it was removed.
GM found it unnecessary when they switched to synthetic from the factory too. (AT least that seems to be the claimed reason for its removal)

Mine would run in the 260-270 range with any sort of abuse so I added in a true cooler... the linked thread a few posts up. So far it drops with the fans being on. I'll have to update that post.
.
the thing is... you start to run better stability on internal parts at lower temps... so it really depends. A street car really doesn't need it with modern oil.

Last edited by 84 4+3; Apr 29, 2021 at 03:29 PM.
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Old Apr 29, 2021 | 08:00 PM
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that is my - well concern - I use a semi synthetic oil - so not full syn. removing the hoses would clean things up and make maintaining a little easier - but keeping internals cooler is appealing - especially since I am not sure how well the car was maintained before I got it - I have been trying to peck away at getting a baseline for what has been maintained and what has not - this just got in the way as I was changing hoses then looked at the "Y" connection while I have been messing around with the fuel lines - thought what a mess - then saw the price - and thought well let me see how necessary that is - that's when I turned to all of you - as always many great words of wisdom
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Old May 2, 2021 | 08:09 PM
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came across this in my searching - sometimes my semi - local napa does not or cannot get the parts very quickly - This Dayco 87867 HVAC Heater Hose replaces NAPA 11138, ACDelco 18229L, Gates 19138, CARQUEST 19138, Honda 79721-TK8-A00, Honda 79725-SV4-000, Duralast E87867, OEM parts and is perfect for replacement or a performance upgrade.
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Old May 2, 2021 | 08:11 PM
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also - does anyone rune semi-synthetic - will that run cool enough - this is a street driven car - if that ever changed I would add an oil cooler - not that I have decided which way to go -
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