Do I need an oil cooler?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Zurich
Do I need an oil cooler?
Dear all
I have a C5 (1998) corvette with some modifications (Z06 intake manifold, ram air vortex, MAF, Magnaflow exhaust, 160 Thermostat, Hypertech III, etc.) . When I was driving on the German highway (there is no speedlimit) at about 290km/h (close to max) the engine oil temperature rose to about 119C (=246Fahrenheit). As soon as the temp rose to that I level I reduced the speed to about 220km/h in order to cool down. So I don't know whether the temp would have risen even further if I stayed at 290km/h. Now I wonder whether I should get a TPIS oil cooler kit from west coast corvette. What are your recommendations?
Has any of you installed such an oil cooler? Any pictures, instructions?
Thanks a lot for your help.
Best regards,
Andreas
I have a C5 (1998) corvette with some modifications (Z06 intake manifold, ram air vortex, MAF, Magnaflow exhaust, 160 Thermostat, Hypertech III, etc.) . When I was driving on the German highway (there is no speedlimit) at about 290km/h (close to max) the engine oil temperature rose to about 119C (=246Fahrenheit). As soon as the temp rose to that I level I reduced the speed to about 220km/h in order to cool down. So I don't know whether the temp would have risen even further if I stayed at 290km/h. Now I wonder whether I should get a TPIS oil cooler kit from west coast corvette. What are your recommendations?
Has any of you installed such an oil cooler? Any pictures, instructions?
Thanks a lot for your help.
Best regards,
Andreas
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
We normally dont put oil coolers on corvettes unless you are seeing constaint temps above 260 F degrees. Even though the oil and engine can take those temps for short periods, 260 F seems to be the magic number.
The draw back of an oil cooler is for street and highway ( autobaun ) driving and not getting the oil hot enough. Remeber an oil cooler also keeps the block cooler as well.
I have pics of my oil and trans coolers in my sig links
The draw back of an oil cooler is for street and highway ( autobaun ) driving and not getting the oil hot enough. Remeber an oil cooler also keeps the block cooler as well.
I have pics of my oil and trans coolers in my sig links
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,498
Likes: 3
From: Sacramento CA
Originally Posted by AU N EGL
We normally dont put oil coolers on corvettes unless you are seeing constaint temps above 260 F degrees. Even though the oil and engine can take those temps for short periods, 260 F seems to be the magic number.
The draw back of an oil cooler is for street and highway ( autobaun ) driving and not getting the oil hot enough. Remeber an oil cooler also keeps the block cooler as well.
I have pics of my oil and trans coolers in my sig links
The draw back of an oil cooler is for street and highway ( autobaun ) driving and not getting the oil hot enough. Remeber an oil cooler also keeps the block cooler as well.
I have pics of my oil and trans coolers in my sig links
IMHO that is why you have a thermostat inline with the oil cooler.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,058
Likes: 9,821
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
With the oil temps you are seeing I wouldn't worry. I have an aftermarket radiator with a built in engine oil cooler in my car. On the track in half hour sessions at WOT or close to WOT I am happy to see the oil temp in the 240 range. Before the cooler I typically saw temps in the 295 to 310 range.
Bill
Bill
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
Originally Posted by Bill Dearborn
With the oil temps you are seeing I wouldn't worry. I have an aftermarket radiator with a built in engine oil cooler in my car. On the track in half hour sessions at WOT or close to WOT I am happy to see the oil temp in the 240 range. Before the cooler I typically saw temps in the 295 to 310 range.
Bill
Bill
Originally Posted by Hib Halverson
Any 5W-30 engine oil, including the synthetic in C5s, uses chemical additives, called "viscosity-index (VI) improvers", to widen its viscosity range enough to make it a 5W-30. VI improvers contribute little to lubrication and can make a "multi-vis" oil less effective at high temperatures than an oil without them. This can become a problem when the oil is under high shear loads at temperatures above 225F. It becomes a potentially damaging problem when oil temp. approaches 300¡F. If your oil temperature in the pan is 250F or above, bet that oil temp in bearings is approaching 300F . Near the piston ring lands and the upper sections of the cylinder walls, it is that or above.
Near the end of the article
Last edited by AU N EGL; Dec 1, 2004 at 09:33 AM.
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