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Dewitts C5 Engine Oil Cooler Line Kit - Routing Question
Recently purchased for my 2004 Base Coupe (6-Speed) the Dewitt's Radiator W/Integral EOC + Line Kit, along with a VanSteel upgrade sway bar setup. I'm having a mental mind-duck in routing the hoses - I'm trying to visualize before I tear into the side of the block and have a paperweight instead of a running car.
Does anyone have images of how they routed the lines along the sub-frame and out to the adapters?
I just got a reply from Dewitts on this. I have (on back order) the $150 32-898 which is a modified GM part from the C6. It needs to be fished up between the block and manifold/headers. The email from Dewitts says this a cheaper option but more difficult to install.
The more popular option is the $450 32-894C with improved racing adapter block and flexi lines, it is easier to install and apparently much more popular.
Originally I wanted to save $300 and figured the hard lines would be more durable anyway. Now I'm not so sure the savings are worth the install headache. Might cancel the cheap line and order the expensive one. From the look of it you may want to pull the manifold or mid pipe off.
@Old School@Hatepylons either of you guys get this line installed yet and can you share your experience?
I installed oil cooler lines to my DeWitts radiator in 2015. ALL were stainless steel braided flexible lines furnished by Improved Racing including their 180 degree oil temperature thermostat connection at the block WITHOUT ANY disassembly anything on the driver side of the engine.
NO straight hard steel lines.
BUT FIRST I mocked up the route with 1/2 " heater hose and simulated fittings using galvanized iron pipe water fittings to set the route and required length of braided hose lengths and fitting type necessary to connect at both ends.
I fabricated and installed a two layer thin steel heat shield between the hoses and where they pass the exhaust manifold.
Seven years, 15 track days and 25,000 road miles later no drips or leaks.
The engine needs to be raised off the motor mount on the drivers side. I suggest changing motor mounts during the install.
that a great photo thanks
Summit delivered my hard lines about a month early... the same day I was trying to cancel the back order. But it doesn't look so hard once the parts are off. I'm worried I'm gonna "while you're in there" right into new plugs... new headers... etc...
Summit delivered my hard lines about a month early... the same day I was trying to cancel the back order. But it doesn't look so hard once the parts are off. I'm worried I'm gonna "while you're in there" right into new plugs... new headers... etc...
Just summon your inner cheapass. I ignore crap like that all the time.
I can't help with specifics on the routing of the C6 hard lines to the Dewitt's EOC ports on their radiator, but I can tell you its a bear routing everything under there because there truly is not enough room. Long tube headers do not help either when trying to mounting the adapter to the block or the fitting to the adapter. With the extra thick HD radiator pushing the factory fan shroud backwards, along with an oversized front sway bar and the factory '99-00 ABS mounting bracket in the way, you have to get very "creative". I had to run the convoluted conduit covered and sleeved 10-AN lines through the opening in the ABS mounting bracket, then under the sway bar and inside the lower core support upright. I know that the '01-04 C5 has a different ABS mounting bracket and that makes things somewhat easier. Maybe these photos will help some with ideas on routing options, then again maybe not. Best of luck!
I went with the flex hoses. They worked for a while, but one of the lines found its way to my power steering pump pulley, which ate a hole in the line and made a COLOSSAL mess everywhere. I got it all cleaned up, built a new hose, and then REALLY had fun. I have LT headers and they're a major pain in the ***, and this was the biggest pain in the *** of them all. It's almost impossible to route these hoses without getting close to the headers. Well, I got one a bit TOO close, and it burned a hole in the line, the line sprayed oil on the headers and caught on fire. Fortunately we got the fire out pretty quick before it caused any real damage.
Right now I've got the oil cooler capped off and am back to the factory housing. When I reactivate the oil cooler I'll probably go with a set of hard lines, but given the cooling capability of the improved radiator, I haven't really seen a major need for it yet.
I went with the flex hoses. They worked for a while, but one of the lines found its way to my power steering pump pulley, which ate a hole in the line and made a COLOSSAL mess everywhere. I got it all cleaned up, built a new hose, and then REALLY had fun. I have LT headers and they're a major pain in the ***, and this was the biggest pain in the *** of them all. It's almost impossible to route these hoses without getting close to the headers. Well, I got one a bit TOO close, and it burned a hole in the line, the line sprayed oil on the headers and caught on fire. Fortunately we got the fire out pretty quick before it caused any real damage.
Right now I've got the oil cooler capped off and am back to the factory housing. When I reactivate the oil cooler I'll probably go with a set of hard lines, but given the cooling capability of the improved radiator, I haven't really seen a major need for it yet.
Good to see you back, Mike!! Haven't seen any posts for awhile.....
Summit delivered my hard lines about a month early... the same day I was trying to cancel the back order. But it doesn't look so hard once the parts are off. I'm worried I'm gonna "while you're in there" right into new plugs... new headers... etc...
found another showing front of block routing under steering rack
I then, erm, "installed more airflow" with my dremel while it was out... yeah, that should help...
See the area I highlighted in purple? The area to the left (cowl and one motor strut) had to be trimmed to plug in the lower hardline, and clear the upper line as well. The area on the top left needed to be trimmed to fit the upper hose with it's clamp on. Dummy me didn't think ahead and had to do this trimming on the car. Hope this helps somebody else.
@Elektro what do you use your car for? Your fan shroud modifications should improve high vehicle speed air flow (fan off) but will hurt airflow at low vehicle speeds (fan on) due to air recirculation.
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Dewitts C5 Engine Oil Cooler Line Kit - Routing Question
Will see when I put the rad in next week.
