I just ordered a 2002 coupe. I plan to run several open road races this year.
Will I need an oil cooler?

..... The C4 I've diven the past few years was OK on the oil temp until I averaged 145 (mph). How will the C5 compare?

 

Road_runner, hi,

The C5 compares very well if not real better to your former racer, especially on higher speeds! I would say the engineering around the bottom section just before the radiator shrouds is optimized. BUT: make sure, when you race on enduring higher speeds, that the center positioned rubber airdam (underbody) is fixed into position to avoid rearward flexing and therefore loosing big quantities of cooling slipstream!

IMHO, when you add an Oil-cooler, one of the other advantages is for sure some supplementary Oil qty (a real need on this engine), which for sure helps also in further down-cooling, lubrication plus lower temps of course.

On the other hand to go an efficient route as well is the implementation of the following combo:

- HYPERTECH LowTemp Thermostat. I decided for the 160°-type.
- HYPERTECH PP3. When downloading the SW, you will find the "Fans kick-in earlier"-routine which works really great (for me at least).
- Get the best possible Oil quality (to the best, use 10W-40!! GM approves this weight, see SVC-manual). Excellent choice is (again, IMHO) => RED LINE.

You might not forget, we speak the heartblood of the engine, so every $$$ you are willing to spend to this fact is worth it!!

My experience: even on VERY hot summer days (90°F +), you will hardly if never achieve anymore pushing your Oil-temps to extreme high readings. I can speak from first hand experience, as there are almost no speed limits on German Highways.

And yes, I know, many people do not say much of good things about HPP3. But there in fact are many advantages in comparison to other "similar" Software for the LS1/LS6's PCM .

Best is (amongst other SW-features), you can go BACK to STOCK, anytime you have need to do so => eg before Dealer-Checks, GM-updates..... Once back home, just go easy and download again all your preferred initial settings and enjoy from real firmer shifts, altered shift points, higher revs, higher speed limiter etc.

I wish you a healthy and racy season 2002. Stay safe all times and do not forget: COMPETITION MODE. ENJOY!!

Joe.


[Modified by SwissVette_Joe, 10:16 PM 2/8/2002]

 

congrats on your 02 coupe. I assume you ordered a 6 speed.

if you're going to do ssc in the 145 or above class, and you don't want to cross the finish line in a cloud of smoke, then I advise you to invest in a transmission cooler and a differential cooler.
I also recommend an oil cooler, though if you're just going to do open road race 'rallye' type stuff, as opposed to closed course race track (road Not drag) lapping type stuff, then the oil cooler isn't so essential.

if you want to look at a C5 with all the road racing stuff come across the mountains some time :)

shiny side up
David

-ps- a 6 speed can get it's fans to come on 'early' way cheaper than buying a hpp3, which is imho elsewise useless. I personally do not favor using lower temp tstats for daily driven (esp 4 season) cars.
SwissVette_Joe's comment re propping the hinged front air damn for extended high speed running is right on, when that folds back in the wind, at say 150+ there's a noticable loss of cooling due to the changed air flow around the radiator.. this (obviously) isn't a concern for most folks :)

 

Thanks
I'll look into ordering the factory trans cooler.