C6 Tech/Performance LS2, LS3, LS7, LS9 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Tech Topics, Basic Tech, Maintenance, How to Remove & Replace
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

oil temp to high?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 27, 2011 | 12:13 PM
  #1  
Mattraffai's Avatar
Mattraffai
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
From: tucson az
Default oil temp to high?

I have a question my car has been running around 190-220 depending on conditions of driving or how far i drive. 224 is the highest it is ever gotten by me just letting car sit there running for half hour to see how hot it would get! I do have the 2006 A6 Z51 and i thought that Z51's came with an external oil pump or is it built into the radiator? If i do have a built in oil cooler what are my best options for upgrading it or adding an external one? I would also like to upgrade the tranny cooler at same time if i can? could i just get one of those expensive 1k+ radiators that have all those connections for the coolers? Are the coolers attached to aftermarket radiator like ron davis or dewitts one a good enough upgrade?

where do i look? what brands? options?
Reply
Old Mar 27, 2011 | 12:26 PM
  #2  
gunterwalker's Avatar
gunterwalker
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,314
Likes: 4
From: Cape May, NJ; Guntersville, AL; Orange Beach, AL
Default

Oil temp of 190-220 is pretty low. If that is coolant temp that is normal. 224 is not too high even for coolant.
Reply
Old Mar 27, 2011 | 12:43 PM
  #3  
Mattraffai's Avatar
Mattraffai
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
From: tucson az
Default

water never goes over 190 in driving or racing but i have edelbrock high flow wp and 160 stat. well i was getting ready to install a ss3600 converter and was told to upgrade the tranny cooler. I was also planning on doing a 100-150 shot of nitrous so i thought that i would need it to better cool the car because of the extra stress and power! I thought 220+ was hot because that's what is what it was at when in heavy traffic! At what temps should i start worrying about the oil,tranny,and water?
Reply
Old Mar 27, 2011 | 07:01 PM
  #4  
ErnieN85's Avatar
ErnieN85
Safety Car
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,726
Likes: 368
From: Montoursville Pa
Default

Originally Posted by Mattraffai
water never goes over 190 in driving or racing but i have edelbrock high flow wp and 160 stat. well i was getting ready to install a ss3600 converter and was told to upgrade the tranny cooler. I was also planning on doing a 100-150 shot of nitrous so i thought that i would need it to better cool the car because of the extra stress and power! I thought 220+ was hot because that's what is what it was at when in heavy traffic! At what temps should i start worrying about the oil,tranny,and water?
Coolant under 240
Engine oil under 270
Trans 50-70 under coolant
these are max temps on track

I'd like coolant under 210
oil 220

trans 100-150
Reply
Old Mar 27, 2011 | 07:04 PM
  #5  
Robls6's Avatar
Robls6
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,290
Likes: 0
From: Willow Springs IL
Default

Oil temps of 280 - 290 degrees during a lot of high RPM driving is normal. I would start to worry if you ever get it above 300. Mobil 1 they claim can handle temps of 400 degrees. You have nothing to worry about.
Reply
Old Mar 27, 2011 | 07:59 PM
  #6  
Bill Dearborn's Avatar
Bill Dearborn
Tech Contributor
25 Year Member
Liked
Top Answer: 1
Top Answer: 3
 
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,058
Likes: 9,820
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Default

The mods you are thinking of will not stress the engine oil temp much. High oil temps come from lots of time at high rpms and lots of wide open throttle operation. Drag racing does neither. Oil temp will barely blip in the few seconds it takes to run a drag race. On the track I typically see 258 to 260 oil temps with my C6Z after running at near max manifold pressure for 20 or 30 minutes.

Bill
Reply
Old Mar 27, 2011 | 08:16 PM
  #7  
gunterwalker's Avatar
gunterwalker
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,314
Likes: 4
From: Cape May, NJ; Guntersville, AL; Orange Beach, AL
Default

Originally Posted by ErnieN85
Coolant under 240
Engine oil under 270
Trans 50-70 under coolant
these are max temps on track

I'd like coolant under 210
oil 220

trans 100-150
Originally Posted by Robls6
Oil temps of 280 - 290 degrees during a lot of high RPM driving is normal. I would start to worry if you ever get it above 300. Mobil 1 they claim can handle temps of 400 degrees. You have nothing to worry about.
Originally Posted by Bill Dearborn
The mods you are thinking of will not stress the engine oil temp much. High oil temps come from lots of time at high rpms and lots of wide open throttle operation. Drag racing does neither. Oil temp will barely blip in the few seconds it takes to run a drag race. On the track I typically see 258 to 260 oil temps with my C6Z after running at near max manifold pressure for 20 or 30 minutes.

Bill
Great advice here
Reply
Old Mar 27, 2011 | 09:00 PM
  #8  
Streetk14's Avatar
Streetk14
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,391
Likes: 23
From: Santa Barbara CA
Default

[QUOTE=Mattraffai;1577176396] I do have the 2006 A6 Z51 and i thought that Z51's came with an external oil pump or is it built into the radiator?
[QUOTE]


To answer your question....... no, you don't have any engine oil cooler. The automatic Z51 cars didn't come with one. I'm not even sure if the manual Z51s had one in 2006. I know the 2005 Z51/manuals had one built into the radiator. The 2008+ Z51/manuals have an external air to oil cooler.

The cheapest solution would be to buy a 2008+ Z51 external cooler and lines. Or you could maybe find a used factory radiator with the oil and trans coolers from a 2005 Z51. I went with a DeWitt's that has both coolers built in because I don't have room for my external Z51 cooler anymore. I have a big intercooler taking up that space now
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Mar 28, 2011 | 01:21 AM
  #9  
Mattraffai's Avatar
Mattraffai
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
From: tucson az
Default

[QUOTE=Streetk14;1577181053][QUOTE=Mattraffai;1577176396] I do have the 2006 A6 Z51 and i thought that Z51's came with an external oil pump or is it built into the radiator?


To answer your question....... no, you don't have any engine oil cooler. The automatic Z51 cars didn't come with one. I'm not even sure if the manual Z51s had one in 2006. I know the 2005 Z51/manuals had one built into the radiator. The 2008+ Z51/manuals have an external air to oil cooler.

The cheapest solution would be to buy a 2008+ Z51 external cooler and lines. Or you could maybe find a used factory radiator with the oil and trans coolers from a 2005 Z51. I went with a DeWitt's that has both coolers built in because I don't have room for my external Z51 cooler anymore. I have a big intercooler taking up that space now
what external cooler is there then? because there is definately see a external cooler there but i cant tell what it is going to! power steering?
Reply
Old Mar 28, 2011 | 01:47 AM
  #10  
Bill Dearborn's Avatar
Bill Dearborn
Tech Contributor
25 Year Member
Liked
Top Answer: 1
Top Answer: 3
 
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,058
Likes: 9,820
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Default

[quote=Mattraffai;1577183069][quote=Streetk14;1577181053]
Originally Posted by Mattraffai
I do have the 2006 A6 Z51 and i thought that Z51's came with an external oil pump or is it built into the radiator?


what external cooler is there then? because there is definately see a external cooler there but i cant tell what it is going to! power steering?
The power steering cooler is just in front of the engine down by the steering rack. You can see it with the hood open. It is that finned assembly.

Bill
Reply
Old Mar 28, 2011 | 02:07 PM
  #11  
Ragtop 99's Avatar
Ragtop 99
Safety Car
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,537
Likes: 1,403
From: Bethesda MD
Default

If you add the high stall torque converter, I'd add an external tranny cooler; a small plate type one (e.g. B&M supercooler) would be adequate.
Reply
Old Mar 28, 2011 | 06:12 PM
  #12  
WB6HRO's Avatar
WB6HRO
Racer
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 391
Likes: 0
From: Costa Mesa CA
Default

As long as you are under 300 on the oil your are fine. I was running over 300 in C5 Z06 so I put in a Ron Davis radiator with built in oil cooler (water to oil cooler) now it runs at 240-250 on the track on hot days.
Reply
Old Mar 28, 2011 | 06:53 PM
  #13  
calemasters's Avatar
calemasters
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,611
Likes: 5
From: Thousand Oaks California
Default

I think you are fine. You want the oil temp to get above 212 so it will boil out any condensation.

I have never seem my oil temp get over 280, and for synthetic oil, that is not excessive.
Reply
Old Mar 28, 2011 | 06:56 PM
  #14  
TLK's Avatar
TLK
Pro
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 547
Likes: 3
From: Silicon Valley California
St. Jude Donor '09-'11
Default

The temps in question 190-220 are not high, and if that's all you're getting, you do not need any additional cooling.

I've hit 270 on long mountain runs on hot days, and even 240 on cold winter days, and these temps aren't a problem. I do not have the Z51 cooler, and basically don't need it since I only reach this high a couple times a year. Since I do a lot of short trip driving in town, an oil cooler would make it that much longer to warm up the oil (particularly in winter) hence I really don't want one.
Reply
Old Mar 30, 2011 | 10:34 AM
  #15  
99blancoss's Avatar
099blancoss
Former Vendor
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,470
Likes: 2
From: Portland OR
St. Jude Donor '10-'11-'12
Default

Originally Posted by WB6HRO
As long as you are under 300 on the oil your are fine. I was running over 300 in C5 Z06 so I put in a Ron Davis radiator with built in oil cooler (water to oil cooler) now it runs at 240-250 on the track on hot days.

I have one as well, the radiator offers 20% better cooling than stock as well so your gaining benefit in more than one area...
I never see coolant temps over 180 for very long at all.. I hit 190 and it drops right back down to a constant 180 no matter what abuse I am giving it.
Reply
Old Mar 30, 2011 | 11:51 AM
  #16  
Elite275's Avatar
Elite275
Burning Brakes
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,004
Likes: 68
From: Cincinnati OH
Default

Originally Posted by ErnieN85
Coolant under 240
Engine oil under 270
Trans 50-70 under coolant
these are max temps on track

I'd like coolant under 210
oil 220

trans 100-150
I have a 2005 A4 and am seeing trans temps up toward 185 with normal driving and slightly higher with a hard freeway pull in cool conditions. The temp is close to my oil and coolant temps. Any ideas on why this would be so high or advice on how to remedy the situation?

I have the stock converter, but am running an rpm 3.42 rear diff and A&A SC. I only recently started paying close attn to the temps after the SC install, so I'm not sure exactly what the temps were prior to having this done.
Reply
Old Mar 30, 2011 | 01:25 PM
  #17  
ErnieN85's Avatar
ErnieN85
Safety Car
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,726
Likes: 368
From: Montoursville Pa
Default

I would add a transmission cooler inline after the stock cooler. I have been told that there is no such thing as too cool for an automatic.
I put in the largest that Autozone had about $50.
with a super charger you can put a lot more power through a transmission thats why it would be a bit hotter.
also the stock cooler is in the cold side of the radiator and will not cool lower than the outlet temp of the coolant
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To oil temp to high?

Old Mar 30, 2011 | 04:03 PM
  #18  
Elite275's Avatar
Elite275
Burning Brakes
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,004
Likes: 68
From: Cincinnati OH
Default

Great info and explanation...thanks!
Reply
Old Mar 30, 2011 | 06:28 PM
  #19  
SinisterC6's Avatar
SinisterC6
Speedy
Supporting Lifetime Gold
15 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 6,110
Likes: 931
From: Tn
2024 C8 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Default

Hi guys, I have a supercharger, dewitts and EOC, 160* stat and am still seeing 190*coolant and 220* oil with only 40* ambient. Would it be beneficial to drill holes into my thermo? The car is not driven in winter. I plan to do some road racing this summer and need to get my temps under control quick.
Reply
Old Mar 30, 2011 | 06:55 PM
  #20  
Robls6's Avatar
Robls6
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,290
Likes: 0
From: Willow Springs IL
Default

Those temps are way normal. Honestly 220 oil is on the low side. Don't worry about it!
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:43 AM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE