ebay/amazon oil coolers
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 1,113
Likes: 144
From: Miami
ebay/amazon oil coolers
Let me put my flame suit on first, ok here we go. So I've been looking into getting an oil cooler, and started researching here the forums since it's been a very talked about topic already. I'm mostly interested in doing the EOC (external oil cooler approach) just to keep things separate. I typically don't cheap out but for this I couldn't help to at least look what ebay and amazon had to offer on oil cooler kits for C5/LS1 application. I mean the price points are very tempting, and if you think about it there's nothing too special or high tech about an oil cooler as far as fabrication.
Just wondering if anyone has actually gone the ebay/amazon route for oil coolers. My application is to combat oil temps at an occasional HPDE, bring them down from around 290F to at least 250F, for at least a 30 min session, while hopefully not having the temps too cold during street use. Ambient air can range between 70-90F (South Florida). There's a Lingenfelter clone 12 row AN10 oil cooler for $260 (https://www.ebay.com/itm/Rev9-Black-...AAOSwy1ZdHSXE)
There's even a 16 row for less, and it actually looks pretty good. https://www.ebay.com/itm/For-LS1-LS2....c100005.m1851
I'd like to hear actual horror stories of these if any (or positive experiences too if any), not just speculation.
Just wondering if anyone has actually gone the ebay/amazon route for oil coolers. My application is to combat oil temps at an occasional HPDE, bring them down from around 290F to at least 250F, for at least a 30 min session, while hopefully not having the temps too cold during street use. Ambient air can range between 70-90F (South Florida). There's a Lingenfelter clone 12 row AN10 oil cooler for $260 (https://www.ebay.com/itm/Rev9-Black-...AAOSwy1ZdHSXE)
There's even a 16 row for less, and it actually looks pretty good. https://www.ebay.com/itm/For-LS1-LS2....c100005.m1851
I'd like to hear actual horror stories of these if any (or positive experiences too if any), not just speculation.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 1,562
Likes: 324
From: Morristown, TN
In for info as well. The biggest thing Insee is they do not have thermostats like the higher end models do. But in my mind looking at the device, the hoses, and the cooler.....the price tags from the large name companies are ridiculous.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,297
Likes: 398
From: Raleigh Suburbs
Well there's a reason for example DRM and/or Improved Racing is the go-to for Corvette cooling solutions. I've bought a catch can off of ebay with good luck, but an oil cooler is a much more important component. Alternatively, how can you go wrong haha 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 1,236
Likes: 91
From: Pittsburgh,PA
I picked up my oil cooler used from the forum but It did not come with hoses or fitting. I got 10 foot of braided hose and 4 AN swivel hose ends for less than $50
from amazon I've had them on for 2 years with no problems.
from amazon I've had them on for 2 years with no problems.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,481
Likes: 267
From: So-Cal California
2023 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C5 of the Year Winner - Modified
Can anyone think of a reason to not try the ebay kit? It's a quarter of the price of putting together the Earl's setup. Not too worried about the thermostat as I don't drive mine hard till fluid temps are up anyway.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 6,882
Likes: 234
From: Bangkok, Thailand
My only concern with the E-bay one would be the o-ring seal for the adapter - what happens when you need a new one?
The tubes in the cooler look thin/skinny, so I'd watch oil pressure carefully at first to make sure it's not a restriction.
As for thermostats, when I worked in speed shops we saw several of the adapter type thermostats stick in either the closed or open position and cause oiling problems.
The tubes in the cooler look thin/skinny, so I'd watch oil pressure carefully at first to make sure it's not a restriction.
As for thermostats, when I worked in speed shops we saw several of the adapter type thermostats stick in either the closed or open position and cause oiling problems.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 5,414
Likes: 3,957
From: Cincinnati, OH
To keep it from getting too cold without thermostat, you can make a block off plate and zip tie it to the front of the cooler to keep air from going through it whenever you are not racing.
Also, look into B&M stacked plate coolers. They work well.
Also, look into B&M stacked plate coolers. They work well.
Last edited by smitty2919; Apr 9, 2020 at 02:07 PM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,043
Likes: 9,807
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
The DRM/Ron Davis Racing Radiator with built in EOC is the way to go. You can hook the oil cooler up to the block. It will also add more coolant to your cooling circuit and more oil to the engine. It will keep things cool. I had one of the original setups with the oil cooler adapter mounted to the oil filter mount on the block and a separate 1 quart external oil filter mounted behind the radiator shroud. With a stock thermostat it would keep the engine coolant temp at 200 degrees and the oil at 230 degrees. The difference between the RD Radiator and one like a DeWitt is the RD Radiator has the oil cooler built into the passenger side tank of the radiator so it sees cooler coolant. Due to the location of the oil cooler you can run into some engine oil temperature issues if you drive around town in mid 40 degree ambient temps as the oil won't go over 140 degrees unless you bring the engine rpms up. However, you shouldn't see those kinds of temps very often in your location.
Bill
Bill
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,297
Likes: 398
From: Raleigh Suburbs
The DRM/Ron Davis Racing Radiator with built in EOC is the way to go. You can hook the oil cooler up to the block. It will also add more coolant to your cooling circuit and more oil to the engine. It will keep things cool. I had one of the original setups with the oil cooler adapter mounted to the oil filter mount on the block and a separate 1 quart external oil filter mounted behind the radiator shroud. With a stock thermostat it would keep the engine coolant temp at 200 degrees and the oil at 230 degrees. The difference between the RD Radiator and one like a DeWitt is the RD Radiator has the oil cooler built into the passenger side tank of the radiator so it sees cooler coolant. Due to the location of the oil cooler you can run into some engine oil temperature issues if you drive around town in mid 40 degree ambient temps as the oil won't go over 140 degrees unless you bring the engine rpms up. However, you shouldn't see those kinds of temps very often in your location.
Bill
Bill
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,105
Likes: 114
From: Lawrenceburg, KY
I like my DeWitt radiator w/ integral oil cooler. My commute to my old job was 10 minutes and it would usually get the oil up to 200 degrees in that time (15 mins always got it to 210). Water never goes above 195 and oil never goes over 220 in AZ Summer.
If I were racing, I would keep the DeWitt radiator I have and add an external oil cooler in series with an inline t-stat. My $0.02
If I were racing, I would keep the DeWitt radiator I have and add an external oil cooler in series with an inline t-stat. My $0.02
Last edited by ChrisLSx; Apr 27, 2020 at 08:03 PM.
