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Oil Cooler? Optimal Oil Temps?

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Old Nov 20, 2001 | 11:44 PM
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Default Oil Cooler? Optimal Oil Temps?

Anyone using an oil cooler? At what temps would you use one? Guess it'd help with more aggresive bores, eh? What is too hot for oil? Too cold? Is it possible to make it too cold? I live in a hot climate.

How many people here are using the DRM Oil Cooler w/o their radiator? I think it's like $600.

Thx!
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Old Nov 20, 2001 | 11:48 PM
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Default Re: Oil Cooler? Optimal Oil Temps? (MelloYellow)

I just installed the DRM Oil Cooler / Radiator package this weekend. My new stroker motor was running 240F+ oil temps prior to the install and never gets over 200F now.. The DRM parts are top quality, put together VERY well... expensive but worth every penny!

I could have chosen to go with a separate oil cooler but between the a/c condenser, radiator, power steerign cooler, vortec intake, etc.. I felt I already had enough devices in the air stream.

The DRM cooler/radiator package uses the water inside the radiator to cool the oil, instead of airflow across a head exchanger..

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Old Nov 21, 2001 | 12:28 AM
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Default Re: Oil Cooler? Optimal Oil Temps? (nevrenuf)

Cool. How much was the combo radiator/cooler? I think just the air cooler is $600. I guess the stand-alone cooler goes under the shroud, eh? Since I don't use a bottom breather, I should have room I think...

What bore did you use? 4.100"?
Anyone else with a cooler??

Do you think extending the oil lines for the cooler reduces the overall Oil Pressure any? What kinda psi are you seeing?



[Modified by MelloYellow, 11:36 PM 11/20/2001]
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Old Nov 21, 2001 | 12:36 AM
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Default Re: Oil Cooler? Optimal Oil Temps? (MelloYellow)

I have the DRM radiator/cooler installed in my car. Oil temps dropped from the high 290s down to around 240. The water temp stays pretty close to the thermostat setting around 195 to 200. When I installed mine I did not block off the oil filter mount bypass valve in the engine block like was recommended. So far this hasn't caused a problem. Oh by the way I got the DRM setup and a set of stainless steel brake lines from DRM for $1100 when I was at Carlisle in 2000.
Bill


[Modified by Bill Dearborn, 11:38 PM 11/20/2001]
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Old Nov 21, 2001 | 12:39 AM
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Default Re: Oil Cooler? Optimal Oil Temps? (Bill Dearborn)

Thanks. I take it 290* was extended road racing?? How long til you get those temps??!

Would an Air Cooler be more or less efficient than a water/radiator integ. oil cooler? Should I worry about running too cool?? Would Oil Temps around 180* be a bad thing?
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Old Nov 21, 2001 | 12:52 AM
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Default Re: Oil Cooler? Optimal Oil Temps? (MelloYellow)

It doesn't take too long at WOT to get to the 290 level. I believe anything below 260 is fine, however 180 is probably too low. The benefit of the radiator/cooler set up is a quicker warm up of the oil. If you have an oil to air cooler you will require a thermostat in the oil line to keep the oil from going through the cooler when you have a cold engine. Otherwise, it will take a long time to get the engine warm.
Bill
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Old Nov 21, 2001 | 08:38 AM
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Default Re: Oil Cooler? Optimal Oil Temps? (Bill Dearborn)

Bill.. interesting results you have compared to me! After the cooler, I never get over 200 (but havent drag raced since).. My "before" temps were about where your "after" temps are now.. I wonder why? Also, I find that the oil cooler made my car oil warm up SLOWER than before. Since the oil used to stay in the motor, and now it gets pumped out into 70 degree water , and the oil warms up faster than the water does, I find that the oil temp is MUCH slower to come up than it used to be. In fact, I've gone from using 15-50 to using 10-30 now..

Mello .. I run the 4.100" bore, and paid $1100 for the radiator, remote oil filter kit, brackets, and braided lines...

Tom





[Modified by nevrenuf, 7:40 AM 11/21/2001]
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Old Nov 21, 2001 | 09:13 AM
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Default Re: Oil Cooler? Optimal Oil Temps?

ttt

FWIW, my coolant warms up faster than my oil, so I understand the 'theory' that the oil/water cooler should speed up warm-up. Oh.. Also, is the DRM Alum Radiator lighter or heavier than the stock radiator??


[Modified by MelloYellow, 8:15 AM 11/21/2001]
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Old Nov 21, 2001 | 10:04 AM
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Default Re: Oil Cooler? Optimal Oil Temps? (MelloYellow)

I'm surprised an oil cooler isn't part of the Z-51 and Z06 packages.

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Old Nov 21, 2001 | 10:07 AM
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Default Re: Oil Cooler? Optimal Oil Temps? (MelloYellow)

anyone used one of the basic oil coolers from Summit or comparable? They range from $60 to $100 for the whole kit!! Have an adapter that mounts below the oil filter and draws the line from there, i have used them on other cars and they work well and know several people running them on various cars... anyone used one on a MN6 C5??
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