C6 engine oil cooler
Thread Starter
Former Vendor
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,593
Likes: 631
From: Brighton
C6 engine oil cooler
We would like to develop an air type oil cooler that is better than the stock Z51 or Z06 cooler but need some input, advice, and a volunteer to prototype this. We want to design something that is big enough to handle anyones needs and fit in a good location, preferably in the stock mounting, and hoses if possible. Anyone with a 2007-2010 Z51 and/or Z06 car have any pictures, dimensions, etc would be welcome. We would also give a few of these away if anyone local wanted to volunteer their car for mounting and fit checks.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 13,592
Likes: 187
From: Hudson WI
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Just an idea, but why not make one that uses the Z06 lines and mounting only bigger. That would make life simple.
Breathless Performance in FL has take of Z06 coolers that you could use as a pattern.
Breathless Performance in FL has take of Z06 coolers that you could use as a pattern.
Thread Starter
Former Vendor
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,593
Likes: 631
From: Brighton
That is exactly the plan, but when you go bigger stuff gets in the way.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 2,218
Likes: 0
From: Glendale AZ
kill the Fog lights, and use that front area.
I know there are some "kits" out there, but actually use a nice curved cooler.
build proper mounting and most important design proper shroud and ducting.
my 2 cts
I know there are some "kits" out there, but actually use a nice curved cooler.
build proper mounting and most important design proper shroud and ducting.
my 2 cts
Crackin' on...
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 9,426
Likes: 124
From: Somewhere in Tucson AZ
St. Jude Donor '09
Tom, I'd be happy to try anything you come up with! Me and my '07 base convertible that is! 
My avg temps here since I got the car are around 210*-230* or so, and I'd LOVE to get those under 200* if possible. My car is a stick too, no trans oil cooler needed.
Very happy with the quality of radiator for my '73 so I can't imagine anything else you come up with would be of any worse quality!
Please let me know!
Paul
My avg temps here since I got the car are around 210*-230* or so, and I'd LOVE to get those under 200* if possible. My car is a stick too, no trans oil cooler needed.
Very happy with the quality of radiator for my '73 so I can't imagine anything else you come up with would be of any worse quality!
Please let me know!
Paul
Last edited by 73sbvert; Aug 30, 2011 at 09:47 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 16,557
Likes: 2,102
From: Peoria/Phoenix AZ
C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
My concern is the mounting locations available. I have a Vararam and a stand-alone transmission cooler. It's already crowded in front of the AC condenser. How much more stuff can go in front of the radiator before it needs another capacity increase and more fan speed to suck the air through?
The ideal cooler for me would be a stacked plate about 3.5" x 21.5" that would fit parallel to the ground in the space behind the lower bumper cover and in front of the air dam. The left half as an oil cooler and the right half for the transmission. That way it'd be a vertical airflow and the cooler wouldn't block the horizontal flow coming in the front. The stacked plate construction would be hardy enough to deal with debris.
I currently have a B&M 70273 mounted in that fashion. It only has about 3.5" exposed, yet still hasn't reached 200 degrees in heavy Phoenix traffic during 110+ ambient temps. I have a 3600 stall torque converter and bypassed the radiator cooler. My oil temps have been reaching 230-240 and I'd prefer to keep them closer to 200. I have the F55 suspension, so no Z51 stock oil cooler, but it doesn't require rocket science to hook up oil lines.
The ideal cooler for me would be a stacked plate about 3.5" x 21.5" that would fit parallel to the ground in the space behind the lower bumper cover and in front of the air dam. The left half as an oil cooler and the right half for the transmission. That way it'd be a vertical airflow and the cooler wouldn't block the horizontal flow coming in the front. The stacked plate construction would be hardy enough to deal with debris.
I currently have a B&M 70273 mounted in that fashion. It only has about 3.5" exposed, yet still hasn't reached 200 degrees in heavy Phoenix traffic during 110+ ambient temps. I have a 3600 stall torque converter and bypassed the radiator cooler. My oil temps have been reaching 230-240 and I'd prefer to keep them closer to 200. I have the F55 suspension, so no Z51 stock oil cooler, but it doesn't require rocket science to hook up oil lines.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 41,732
Likes: 1,717
From: Springfield MO
My concern is the mounting locations available. I have a Vararam and a stand-alone transmission cooler. It's already crowded in front of the AC condenser. How much more stuff can go in front of the radiator before it needs another capacity increase and more fan speed to suck the air through?
The ideal cooler for me would be a stacked plate about 3.5" x 21.5" that would fit parallel to the ground in the space behind the lower bumper cover and in front of the air dam. The left half as an oil cooler and the right half for the transmission. That way it'd be a vertical airflow and the cooler wouldn't block the horizontal flow coming in the front. The stacked plate construction would be hardy enough to deal with debris.
I currently have a B&M 70273 mounted in that fashion. It only has about 3.5" exposed, yet still hasn't reached 200 degrees in heavy Phoenix traffic during 110+ ambient temps. I have a 3600 stall torque converter and bypassed the radiator cooler. My oil temps have been reaching 230-240 and I'd prefer to keep them closer to 200. I have the F55 suspension, so no Z51 stock oil cooler, but it doesn't require rocket science to hook up oil lines.
The ideal cooler for me would be a stacked plate about 3.5" x 21.5" that would fit parallel to the ground in the space behind the lower bumper cover and in front of the air dam. The left half as an oil cooler and the right half for the transmission. That way it'd be a vertical airflow and the cooler wouldn't block the horizontal flow coming in the front. The stacked plate construction would be hardy enough to deal with debris.
I currently have a B&M 70273 mounted in that fashion. It only has about 3.5" exposed, yet still hasn't reached 200 degrees in heavy Phoenix traffic during 110+ ambient temps. I have a 3600 stall torque converter and bypassed the radiator cooler. My oil temps have been reaching 230-240 and I'd prefer to keep them closer to 200. I have the F55 suspension, so no Z51 stock oil cooler, but it doesn't require rocket science to hook up oil lines.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!
Michael S. Palmer
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!
Joe Kucinski
7 Bolt-On Upgrades From Extreme Online Store to Level Up Your C6 Corvette
Pouria Savadkouei
How Likely Are These Five 2027 Corvette Rumors to Be True?
Brett Foote
9 Best Corvettes You Can Buy for Half Price (& 1 You Should NEVER Buy!)
Joe Kucinski
8 Very Best Corvettes of Amelia Island 2026
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 WORST Corvette Engineering Failures of All Time!
Joe Kucinski
10 Records the C8 Corvette Generation Has SMASHED (& 1 Glaring Failure)
Joe Kucinski
7 Wildest Corvette Concepts Ever Made
Brett Foote
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 16,557
Likes: 2,102
From: Peoria/Phoenix AZ
C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
What about the Z06 and GS? That area, where you want to put the oil cooler, is blocked off on the Z06 and GS to prevent vertical airflow. I suspect that GM had a reason to install the block off when they use the Z06/GS front splitter, etc. Must have something to do with the car's aero and front downforce at speed and creating a high pressure zone to force feed the front brake scoops on the Z06/GS..
BTW, The standard C6 air dam also creates pressure for front brake cooling.
Track Junky
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,074
Likes: 36
From: Orlando Area
Tech Contributor
Tom, I would be willing to be a test car for you, but I live in S. Florida. I can provide certian dimensions and feedbck for you if needed, but unfortunately can't meet you in person due to our locations.
My oil temps got up to 257 F on my first track in August (heat of the summer), and I wasn't pushing the car hard - shifting between 5000-5500 RPM most of the time. I have the Z51 option which has the integrated oil cooler in the radiator. Coolant temps remained under 200 F for the duration of each session. I would like to find a way to keep oil temps under 230 F no matter what time of year.
Sean
My oil temps got up to 257 F on my first track in August (heat of the summer), and I wasn't pushing the car hard - shifting between 5000-5500 RPM most of the time. I have the Z51 option which has the integrated oil cooler in the radiator. Coolant temps remained under 200 F for the duration of each session. I would like to find a way to keep oil temps under 230 F no matter what time of year.
Sean
Last edited by taken19; Aug 31, 2011 at 06:09 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 41,732
Likes: 1,717
From: Springfield MO
Both the Z06 and GS grille openings are larger (taller) than the standard C6 which allows more frontal airflow. The Z06 and manual GS already have an oil cooler and neither require one for an automatic. Most of the A6 GS owners bought for appearance, not performance. What that leaves is the narrow body '05-'12 cars, which is the larger market being targeted.
BTW, The standard C6 air dam also creates pressure for front brake cooling.
BTW, The standard C6 air dam also creates pressure for front brake cooling.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 3,596
Likes: 37
From: Orange County CA
We would like to develop an air type oil cooler that is better than the stock Z51 or Z06 cooler but need some input, advice, and a volunteer to prototype this. We want to design something that is big enough to handle anyones needs and fit in a good location, preferably in the stock mounting, and hoses if possible. Anyone with a 2007-2010 Z51 and/or Z06 car have any pictures, dimensions, etc would be welcome. We would also give a few of these away if anyone local wanted to volunteer their car for mounting and fit checks.
Thanks,
Charley
Last edited by Charley Hoyt; Aug 31, 2011 at 04:09 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 3,596
Likes: 37
From: Orange County CA
Both the Z06 and GS grille openings are larger (taller) than the standard C6 which allows more frontal airflow. The Z06 and manual GS already have an oil cooler and neither require one for an automatic. Most of the A6 GS owners bought for appearance, not performance. What that leaves is the narrow body '05-'12 cars, which is the larger market being targeted.
BTW, The standard C6 air dam also creates pressure for front brake cooling.
BTW, The standard C6 air dam also creates pressure for front brake cooling.
Charley
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 16,557
Likes: 2,102
From: Peoria/Phoenix AZ
C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Tom asked specifically about a replacement oil cooler for the Z51 and the Z06, not a base C6. He asked for dims etc and volunteers for a 2007-2010 Z51 and/or Z06. The questions I raised addressed the aero with the Z06's front facisa and the block off cover under the nose of the car. I mentioned the GS as it uses the exact same front fascia, etc as the Z06. The GS/Z06 air ducts/front fascia gets 400% more cooling air to the front brakes vs a base C6. You start screwing with the aero by removing the cover, then you also screw with the amount of air flowing through the ducts.
My response to your concern about the Z06/GS addressed the different airflow and the lack of automatics that would require my ideal cooler. I can't understand why you would think I advocated modifying the aero on the wide body cars to fit what would be the ideal for me.
As far as airflow for brakes, I was only mentioning that the C6 also had ducts, because you stated that the Z06/GS splitter performed that function infering that the base cars couldn't.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 16,557
Likes: 2,102
From: Peoria/Phoenix AZ
C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
I merely stated that the narrow body cars are a larger market. They account for 81% of all '05-'10 production (less the ZR1). The non-Z51 option narrow bodies even are 50% of that total. If I were creating a product, I'd target the 81% that included the 50% with no factory cooler. JMHO
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,871
Likes: 15
From: Detroit's West Side MI
Tom, I'm local to you (Novi and Howell) and have a C6 Z51 car that is being converted to a race car this winter. I'd be interested in working with you (I already have your radiator in my other race car 
). I have full fabrication support and can take any measurements necessary as well as build mock ups / brackets, etc. to test fit. We can support both street and on track testing, I have a good amount of data acquisistion equipment as well should we want to install thermistors at various points in the cooling system.
You don't have a PM option, if interested PM me with contact number.
Thanks!
). I have full fabrication support and can take any measurements necessary as well as build mock ups / brackets, etc. to test fit. We can support both street and on track testing, I have a good amount of data acquisistion equipment as well should we want to install thermistors at various points in the cooling system.You don't have a PM option, if interested PM me with contact number.
Thanks!
Thread Starter
Former Vendor
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,593
Likes: 631
From: Brighton
Tom, I'm local to you (Novi and Howell) and have a C6 Z51 car that is being converted to a race car this winter. I'd be interested in working with you (I already have your radiator in my other race car ). I have full fabrication support and can take any measurements necessary as well as build mock ups / brackets, etc. to test fit. We can support both street and on track testing, I have a good amount of data acquisistion equipment as well should we want to install thermistors at various points in the cooling system.
You don't have a PM option, if interested PM me with contact number.
Thanks!
). I have full fabrication support and can take any measurements necessary as well as build mock ups / brackets, etc. to test fit. We can support both street and on track testing, I have a good amount of data acquisistion equipment as well should we want to install thermistors at various points in the cooling system.You don't have a PM option, if interested PM me with contact number.
Thanks!
Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 721
Likes: 3
From: Chicago IL
This sounds like a good place to start. I don't PM because I have several emails, websites, facebook, forum threads, etc to cover I don't have time to check for PM's. Just call me sometime at the shop, 517-548-0600 and we can talk about this. H0XX0H has some real valid points about addressing the volume useage and not a few race cars. Once we come up with something, we'll give a couple of them away for testing. Stay tuned
If you would like some hard numbers from a car that is road raced very regularly, let me know when you are doing your testing. I would love to see an easy to swap product come out that solved everyones heat issues! It would be no big deal for me to slap back on the stock lines and test out your product along with the z51 and z06 coolers all on the same day at the track.
Last edited by camaro_zach; Sep 2, 2011 at 04:56 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,537
Likes: 1
From: Southlake Texas
We would like to develop an air type oil cooler that is better than the stock Z51 or Z06 cooler but need some input, advice, and a volunteer to prototype this. We want to design something that is big enough to handle anyone's needs and fit in a good location, preferably in the stock mounting, and hoses if possible. Anyone with a 2007-2010 Z51 and/or Z06 car have any pictures, dimensions, etc would be welcome. We would also give a few of these away if anyone local wanted to volunteer their car for mounting and fit checks.