Oil cooler talk...
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 7,821
Likes: 412
From: Montreal
St. Jude Donor '13
Oil cooler talk...
While my car is in pieces I have now decided to do an oil cooler. My plan is to use a B&M cooler with a fan and install it the same way I did my transmission cooler, but on the drivers side.
I am using the Improved Racing slim adaptor which looks like a very nice piece.
I have been reading on the topic and the consensus seems to be to use -10 lines, but I am not sure I understand why. I want to use -8, and considering the size of the cooler fittings, its seems to make no sense to use bigger. I am pretty sure that on cars that come with coolers from the factory, the lines are not bigger than -8.
Any thoughts experiences on this topic?
Thanks and happy holidays to all.
I am using the Improved Racing slim adaptor which looks like a very nice piece.
I have been reading on the topic and the consensus seems to be to use -10 lines, but I am not sure I understand why. I want to use -8, and considering the size of the cooler fittings, its seems to make no sense to use bigger. I am pretty sure that on cars that come with coolers from the factory, the lines are not bigger than -8.
Any thoughts experiences on this topic?
Thanks and happy holidays to all.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,482
Likes: 35
Factory lines have to be closer to -6.
But on the cooler I installed on my camaro I used -8. Never caused an issue but also not sure on temps because of lack of a gauge.
I just deleted the cooler on my newest motor build. Felt like it kept temps too low.
But on the cooler I installed on my camaro I used -8. Never caused an issue but also not sure on temps because of lack of a gauge.
I just deleted the cooler on my newest motor build. Felt like it kept temps too low.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 942
Likes: 11
Where are you mounting? I was thinking about mounting one in the fog light area and eliminating the fog lights. On two other cars I used -8 and worked well. Improved racing sells a thermostat controlled adapter.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 7,821
Likes: 412
From: Montreal
St. Jude Donor '13
I will mount the cooler the same as the pic below, but on the other side. This one is my trans cooler.
From the temps I see with no cooler, the engine running too cold is the last thing I am worried about.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 942
Likes: 11
Your car a Z? Assume if it is you eliminated the brake duct?
I saw the adapter with the thermostat but I am going without it for 2 reasons. One is that it is thicker, which puts it closer to the header (although its not much), and the other is I don't like to add something else that can screw up.
I will mount the cooler the same as the pic below, but on the other side. This one is my trans cooler.
From the temps I see with no cooler, the engine running too cold is the last thing I am worried about.
I will mount the cooler the same as the pic below, but on the other side. This one is my trans cooler.
From the temps I see with no cooler, the engine running too cold is the last thing I am worried about.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 7,821
Likes: 412
From: Montreal
St. Jude Donor '13
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,482
Likes: 35
What Temps are you seeing?
If I did an oil cooler again it would be with a thermostat.
My c5 without an oil cooler gets to 220 and stay unless you drive it hard. Then settles back down.
my c6 with an oil cooler stayed in the 180s 190s. My bearings and pump showed signs of lack of lubrication and from reading this isn't hot enough to be desirable.
If I did an oil cooler again it would be with a thermostat.
My c5 without an oil cooler gets to 220 and stay unless you drive it hard. Then settles back down.
my c6 with an oil cooler stayed in the 180s 190s. My bearings and pump showed signs of lack of lubrication and from reading this isn't hot enough to be desirable.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 7,821
Likes: 412
From: Montreal
St. Jude Donor '13
What Temps are you seeing?
If I did an oil cooler again it would be with a thermostat.
My c5 without an oil cooler gets to 220 and stay unless you drive it hard. Then settles back down.
my c6 with an oil cooler stayed in the 180s 190s. My bearings and pump showed signs of lack of lubrication and from reading this isn't hot enough to be desirable.
If I did an oil cooler again it would be with a thermostat.
My c5 without an oil cooler gets to 220 and stay unless you drive it hard. Then settles back down.
my c6 with an oil cooler stayed in the 180s 190s. My bearings and pump showed signs of lack of lubrication and from reading this isn't hot enough to be desirable.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,482
Likes: 35
motor was a dry sump car with tons of pressure.
I don't think the resting temp was the issue as much as maybe taking a while to get there.. and it being on the lower end of the scale already means it spent a lot of time being a bit chillier than I would like.
if i would have thought more about it maybe I would have just used a thinner oil.
But as often as I change it I like the Rotella diesel stuff.
But I'm sure these are some reasons gm used to a coolant and oil heat exchanger over the front mount style ones like my car came with.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 608
Likes: 9
From: St. Petersburg FL
I used this B&M 11 in. x 11 in. x 1 1/2 in with -8 lines. Without it I was hitting 250* temps. Now I sit around 220. I am going to put a small fan on it for next summer to see how much that helps.
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 24,035
Likes: 2,342
From: Gilbert AZ
I'm running no oil cooler, they hit ~200 and just stay there. Since I don't road race, or do extended high HP stuff besides 1/2 mile, street fun, I don't see a need at all. Cruising around in 115F weather oil temps don't get high at all.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,482
Likes: 35
Something I noticed today taking the new baby to the doctor in my baby mommas ctsv.
the oil temp changes with pressure.
in my c5 it's pretty consisted with part throttle and little throttle driving.
so I'm curious how big of an effect the placement of temp sensor has on the temp displayed on our gauges.
like on our c6z the temp is taken at the dry sump tank.
if it was taken some where else how would it compare? 20, 30, or 40? Degrees higher? Does it even matter?