oil cooler
Thread Starter
Speedy
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 6,107
Likes: 931
From: Tn
2024 C8 of the Year Finalist - Modified
oil cooler
im looking to drop coolant and oil temps on my blown c6, the z51 package isnt sufficient anymore.
i was thinking a dewits rad + external oil cooler,
obviously the z06 cooler should be the easiest to do as many before have swapped it in, i was wondering why people dont purchace oil coolers from jegs and use those, they are larger can offer more capacity and more cooling, any drawbacks?
i was thinking a dewits rad + external oil cooler,
obviously the z06 cooler should be the easiest to do as many before have swapped it in, i was wondering why people dont purchace oil coolers from jegs and use those, they are larger can offer more capacity and more cooling, any drawbacks?
Thread Starter
Speedy
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 6,107
Likes: 931
From: Tn
2024 C8 of the Year Finalist - Modified
what is the capacity of the Z06 cooler?
are there draw backs to running larger coolers (1.5-2qt) coolers
as for size i will be mounting it under the bumper cover on a custom bracket where the foam pad currently sits, i just finished sealing the cavity off (all air entering the bumper is forced through the radiator and intercooler) and will use a manual controlled fan to get air through the cooler, this will allow the car to quickly get up to oil temp but then stay cool
are there draw backs to running larger coolers (1.5-2qt) coolers
as for size i will be mounting it under the bumper cover on a custom bracket where the foam pad currently sits, i just finished sealing the cavity off (all air entering the bumper is forced through the radiator and intercooler) and will use a manual controlled fan to get air through the cooler, this will allow the car to quickly get up to oil temp but then stay cool
Last edited by SinisterC6; Oct 26, 2010 at 12:14 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 41,732
Likes: 1,718
From: Springfield MO
I don't have a S/C, but I do have a Z06. The oil cooler is quite large. If I had a blower, I would think about installing a pair of Earl's curved oil coolers plumbed in series where the fog lights are not . Remove the fog lights, make a black mesh screen to fit the openings, then install the oil coolers behind the mesh. That way you don't have the S/C's heat exchanger preheating the air to the oil cooler or the oil cooler preheating the air going to the A/C condenser and the coolant radiator.
Thread Starter
Speedy
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 6,107
Likes: 931
From: Tn
2024 C8 of the Year Finalist - Modified
im not ready to loose my fogs just yet, if youve ever had the bumper cover off youd know theres a lot of room being taken up by the foam pad, cool air will enter through the grill opening and get sucked through the cooler via a fan, the cooler im interested in is from fluidine with a 1.6 qt capactity, making a total of 2 additional qts with the lines and over filling my 5.5 oem capacity by a qt (done for track duty) would bring my total capacity up to 8qts, im thinking a slightly thicker oil (0w 40) will maintain pressure with the added capacity.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,974
Likes: 14
From: Pinellas Park Fl
St. Jude Donor '08-'09 & '12, '14
The only difficulty in using aftermarket oil coolers is the lines, but the make blocks to use AN fittings and packaging. Mounting them may be difficult.
Since you live in some cold country and plan to run a large oil cooler, if you drive during the winter, think about using an oil thermostat. Earls used to make them, now I'm not sure since I don't keep track of that stuff anymore.
Since you live in some cold country and plan to run a large oil cooler, if you drive during the winter, think about using an oil thermostat. Earls used to make them, now I'm not sure since I don't keep track of that stuff anymore.
Last edited by glenB; Oct 26, 2010 at 09:17 PM.
Thread Starter
Speedy
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 6,107
Likes: 931
From: Tn
2024 C8 of the Year Finalist - Modified
The only difficulty in using aftermarket oil coolers is the lines, but the make blocks to use AN fittings and packaging. Mounting them may be difficult.
Since you live in some cold country and plan to run a large oil cooler, if you drive during the winter, think about using an oil thermostat. Earls used to make them, now I'm not sure since I don't keep track of that stuff anymore.
Since you live in some cold country and plan to run a large oil cooler, if you drive during the winter, think about using an oil thermostat. Earls used to make them, now I'm not sure since I don't keep track of that stuff anymore.
my concearn is capacity, how big is too big? can it cause a drop in pressure? how do you compensate?
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,974
Likes: 14
From: Pinellas Park Fl
St. Jude Donor '08-'09 & '12, '14
i really dont drive once it gets below 50, what im anticipating is that the cooler wont get much air flow so the oil heats up but the fan will pull a lot of air through and keep temps where i want em
my concearn is capacity, how big is too big? can it cause a drop in pressure? how do you compensate?
my concearn is capacity, how big is too big? can it cause a drop in pressure? how do you compensate?
short version
180 - 210 optimal oil temp
minimal bends to reduce pressure drop
yes, you will have some drop, how much depends on length of lines, size of the lines, radius of the bends and how many bends
you can shim the oil pump pressure relief to compensate
The Z06 cooler adds about 1 qt
It doesn't matter how much it holds, if you drive it long enough all the oil will reach the same temp, all you gain is capacity. Meaning, it will take longer to warm up, but once it reaches it maximum, then you just have alot of hot oil. A larger cooler just adds reserve, like a big radiator, so if you're not doing any open track events, then you probably don't need it so big, a Z06 cooler will suffice.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
Speedy
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 6,107
Likes: 931
From: Tn
2024 C8 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Just blew out my post
short version
180 - 210 optimal oil temp
minimal bends to reduce pressure drop
yes, you will have some drop, how much depends on length of lines, size of the lines, radius of the bends and how many bends
you can shim the oil pump pressure relief to compensate
The Z06 cooler adds about 1 qt
It doesn't matter how much it holds, if you drive it long enough all the oil will reach the same temp, all you gain is capacity. Meaning, it will take longer to warm up, but once it reaches it maximum, then you just have alot of hot oil. A larger cooler just adds reserve, like a big radiator, so if you're not doing any open track events, then you probably don't need it so big, a Z06 cooler will suffice.
short version
180 - 210 optimal oil temp
minimal bends to reduce pressure drop
yes, you will have some drop, how much depends on length of lines, size of the lines, radius of the bends and how many bends
you can shim the oil pump pressure relief to compensate
The Z06 cooler adds about 1 qt
It doesn't matter how much it holds, if you drive it long enough all the oil will reach the same temp, all you gain is capacity. Meaning, it will take longer to warm up, but once it reaches it maximum, then you just have alot of hot oil. A larger cooler just adds reserve, like a big radiator, so if you're not doing any open track events, then you probably don't need it so big, a Z06 cooler will suffice.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,974
Likes: 14
From: Pinellas Park Fl
St. Jude Donor '08-'09 & '12, '14
But then you'll get half the board up in arms because you're not using what the factory recommends
Last edited by glenB; Oct 27, 2010 at 05:48 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 20,933
Likes: 905
From: salem OR
I don't have a S/C, but I do have a Z06. The oil cooler is quite large. If I had a blower, I would think about installing a pair of Earl's curved oil coolers plumbed in series where the fog lights are not . Remove the fog lights, make a black mesh screen to fit the openings, then install the oil coolers behind the mesh. That way you don't have the S/C's heat exchanger preheating the air to the oil cooler or the oil cooler preheating the air going to the A/C condenser and the coolant radiator.
Since that big stock Z oil cooler out front does a good job. Just needs
some thermo control.
The Dewitts surprized me! The water temps are cooler and easy to control. The bonus is I lose NOTHING to the stock cooler.
My oil is always much cooler, even cooled in the same unit!
So with the intercooler way out front and not sandwitched to the radiator. It works well! The A&A kit is SECOND to none. Andy
added a new 3rd new intercooler with air defuser's that direct the air
to cooling. Works So well with the Dewitts
Thread Starter
Speedy
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 6,107
Likes: 931
From: Tn
2024 C8 of the Year Finalist - Modified
i spent about 3 hours fabbing up some plastic that seals the front cavity, now all the air that enters the bumper through the grill or bottom must pass through the ic and rad
Thread Starter
Speedy
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 6,107
Likes: 931
From: Tn
2024 C8 of the Year Finalist - Modified
i have a z51 that has this setup and its totally overwhelmed at my power just on the street, im looking for more power and want to track race a bit this summer so i need something totally up to par, i looked to setups on gt2 race cares and theyre all running EOCs
Former Vendor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,470
Likes: 2
From: Portland OR
St. Jude Donor '10-'11-'12
Ahhh, well Ron Davis offers 7, 14, and dual 14 plate heat extractors. We went this route for a customer in Saudi Arabia of mine. The 7 plate is very small about 3" thick by 10" long.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,537
Likes: 1,403
From: Bethesda MD
You didn't post temps, but bringing your coolant temps down should be your first priority. 240* oil temps may seem hot, but are not going to the harm anything. 230* coolant is a bigger issue unless you are using meth. Once you bring the coolant temp down, the oil will be cooler too. Get the Dewitts radiator and see if that is enough.
Last edited by Ragtop 99; Oct 29, 2010 at 09:47 PM.
