Oil temps
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,855
Likes: 322
From: Raleigh NC
Oil temps
This weekend at VIR I logged oil temps in my Z51 at 265 degrees, with 91 degree ambient temps. The motor has a Texas Speed stage III head & cam kit installed & a conservative tune.
Wondering if this is getting a bit too warm & I need to spring for the Z06 grill, secondary oil cooler, 600W fan & the Z06 NACA ducts...
Wondering if this is getting a bit too warm & I need to spring for the Z06 grill, secondary oil cooler, 600W fan & the Z06 NACA ducts...
Sr.Random input generator
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 7,799
Likes: 2,230
From: Sammamish, WA
What year is it? My 2016 Z51 already came with the 600W fan.
I also got about 265s at the track, which I find very reasonable. I'd start worrying if I started hitting 290s.
I also got about 265s at the track, which I find very reasonable. I'd start worrying if I started hitting 290s.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 29,063
Likes: 1,839
From: cookeville tennessee
I don't think you will hurt the car at this temp as long as you don't keep it at that temp for a really long time frame. Robert
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,855
Likes: 322
From: Raleigh NC
Hi guys, it is a 2015.
I was pitted with a guy that had a 2014 with the Z06 grill & the secondary cooler & he said it lowered his oil temps by 25 - 35 degrees.
I was pitted with a guy that had a 2014 with the Z06 grill & the secondary cooler & he said it lowered his oil temps by 25 - 35 degrees.
Last edited by Newton06; May 29, 2017 at 06:55 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,015
Likes: 2,709
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
On our C6, the oil overtemperature warning came at 302'f, with 5W-30.
I once got to 293' for maybe 10 minutes while having too much fun, the next oil analysis showed no deterioration in the oil (Mobil1 5W-30) and no unusual wear in the engine.
On our C7 LT1, the red marks on the oil temp gauge start at something over 300.
Based on that, I wouldn't worry about 265 but would try to avoid going higher, just to be kind to the engine.
I once got to 293' for maybe 10 minutes while having too much fun, the next oil analysis showed no deterioration in the oil (Mobil1 5W-30) and no unusual wear in the engine.
On our C7 LT1, the red marks on the oil temp gauge start at something over 300.
Based on that, I wouldn't worry about 265 but would try to avoid going higher, just to be kind to the engine.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,855
Likes: 322
From: Raleigh NC
On our C6, the oil overtemperature warning came at 302'f, with 5W-30.
I once got to 293' for maybe 10 minutes while having too much fun, the next oil analysis showed no deterioration in the oil (Mobil1 5W-30) and no unusual wear in the engine.
On our C7 LT1, the red marks on the oil temp gauge start at something over 300.
Based on that, I wouldn't worry about 265 but would try to avoid going higher, just to be kind to the engine.
I once got to 293' for maybe 10 minutes while having too much fun, the next oil analysis showed no deterioration in the oil (Mobil1 5W-30) and no unusual wear in the engine.
On our C7 LT1, the red marks on the oil temp gauge start at something over 300.
Based on that, I wouldn't worry about 265 but would try to avoid going higher, just to be kind to the engine.
I may hold off then on the purchases, which is good since I was just laid off from Dell.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 2,122
Likes: 452
From: Syracuse-Central Square New York Winer of the all Corvette race WGI 8/23!
Surprised GM doesn't recommend 15\50 for the track for Z51 as they do for the Z's or do they? Agree with every one else here 265 is just fine. Many run constantly over 285. OP are you do a complete track prep as coolant temps are directly related to oil. 80\20 water \ coolant or as we use Royal purple Ice additive. Make sure there is not one piece of debris or leaves in the radiator area. A set of cat covers from DEI over the 1200 degree cats 3 inches from your stock oil\water cooler.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 10,709
Likes: 7,102
From: Fulshear, TX
I've dropped 20+ degrees off my temps with a Z06 grille, Z06 fan, DEI cat shields, and a bottle of Redline WaterWetter.
I've also wrapped my radiator hoses and ceramic coated my exhaust manifolds; both those lowered underhood temps, but didn't really effect engine running temps (coolant and oil).
I've also wrapped my radiator hoses and ceramic coated my exhaust manifolds; both those lowered underhood temps, but didn't really effect engine running temps (coolant and oil).
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 10,709
Likes: 7,102
From: Fulshear, TX
The DEI cat shields have standoffs to allow an air gap and some breathability to prevent them from totally baking. With that said, if something were to happen I'd either let the emissions warranty coverage take care of it, or just buy some used stock take-offs which are easy enough to come by on here for cheap.
Last edited by Kracka; Jun 2, 2017 at 06:37 PM.
