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Oil cooler

MBruneaux

MBruneaux

New member
Anyone install an oil cooler? I am starting to build my GT as a road course track car (I know, I know pick something else) and think a properly installed oil cooler would help, I already plan on the trans cooler for sure. Thanks.
 


these engines like to run a little hot.........having said that, this guy Ed that is local to me has his oil filter relocated to the front plate insert, then he put mesh where the insert goes, and has the oil cooler / filter setup right there.
 
the coolant controls engine temperatures and if it cant then an oil cooler isnt going to help you anyway.
 


my last 2 gmc trucks had oil coolers, factory installed stock. they must be there for a reason.

the cooler and lines used a extra 3 quarts of oil too. < this may be why.

also they both had trans coolers, stock as well.

both had the lines to the cooler come off the oil filter housing. the tube's end fittings looked like a cone that was clipped into the filter housing. with a clip that looked like a old manual window crank clip (the one that held the crank on) you old school guys know what im talking about lol
 
One thing to remember is that your oil needs to get hot. You need to get it up to a certain point to burn off the condensation that gets in your engine. So running an engine oil cooler on anything but a wild race car probably isn't recommended. I highly doubt you will generate enough heat to demand an oil cooler.
 
Zef_66 said:
One thing to remember is that your oil needs to get hot. You need to get it up to a certain point to burn off the condensation that gets in your engine. So running an engine oil cooler on anything but a wild race car probably isn't recommended. I highly doubt you will generate enough heat to demand an oil cooler.
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did you not read my last post??? they come on STOCK pick up trucks.

scottydoggs said:
my last 2 gmc trucks had oil coolers, factory installed stock. they must be there for a reason.
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scottydoggs said:
did you not read my last post??? they come on STOCK pick up trucks.
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Yes, I read it. And I have one one my pickup truck. But trucks are vehicles that are designed to haul a lot of weight and pull trailers that haul a lot of weight. STOCK! So very often you will find things on STOCK trucks that you do not find on cars that are meant to haul a few passengers and very light loads.

My truck has a positive traction rear end. That doesn't mean that my car needs one. Two totally different applications call for two totally different sets of equipment.
 
Zef_66 said:
Yes, I read it. And I have one one my pickup truck. But trucks are vehicles that are designed to haul a lot of weight and pull trailers that haul a lot of weight. STOCK! So very often you will find things on STOCK trucks that you do not find on cars that are meant to haul a few passengers and very light loads.

My truck has a positive traction rear end. That doesn't mean that my car needs one. Two totally different applications call for two totally different sets of equipment.
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that being said, these cars run hot, STOCK, so why not cool the oil, my car runs hotter than my truck did, and a open rear end is a sin in any car, they should all be posi, or a locker. having a open diff is just cheap engineering if you ask me.

over heated oil just breaks down faster too. keeping all your fluids cooler helps all the components of your engine running longer., just like a trans cooler, why run the trans at 210, if you can run it at 175 or lower? same plan different fluid.
 
scottydoggs said:
that being said, these cars run hot, STOCK, so why not cool the oil, my car runs hotter than my truck did, and a open rear end is a sin in any car, they should all be posi, or a locker. having a open diff is just cheap engineering if you ask me.

over heated oil just breaks down faster too. keeping all your fluids cooler helps all the components of your engine running longer., just like a trans cooler, why run the trans at 210, if you can run it at 175 or lower? same plan different fluid.
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What runs hot? The oil or the water temp? Have you ever checked the oil temps on these cars? They don't run hot. Do you have an oil temp gauge in your GS?
 
optimal temp is 212-220* F.

If it doesn't get there, you're not burning off the water in the oil.

If it goes over, oil breaks down faster.
 
matt5112 said:
optimal temp is 212-220* F.

If it doesn't get there, you're not burning off the water in the oil.

If it goes over, oil breaks down faster.
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my truck ran at 209 all day, i never had any condensation under the oil cap or in the valve covers or any signs in the oil pan. one friggin clean engine inside.

i would like to think a oil temp sensor could be installed in the block somewhere, like the low oil sensor could be replaced with a temp sensor. then we would know for sure what temp the oil runs at, and if its truly needed.
 


I'd venture to say 3* is probably the accuracy of the stock sender and gauge.

We should monitor EGT's and cylinder head temps too.... While we're there, rotor temp, tire temp :D
 
They put oil coolers on these from the factory... Supercharged 96's got them (some), and all of the police package impalas got them.

I actually have the oil filter cover with the oil cooler fittings on it for sale right now, PM me or something if you are interested.

that being said, these cars run hot, STOCK, so why not cool the oil, my car runs hotter than my truck did, and a open rear end is a sin in any car, they should all be posi, or a locker. having a open diff is just cheap engineering if you ask me.
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There are a few reasons this is wrong... Many situations do not require any type of locking diffs.. My race car is one that gained performance when I sold off the GMR diff I had in it.
 
scottydoggs said:
my truck ran at 209 all day, i never had any condensation under the oil cap or in the valve covers or any signs in the oil pan. one friggin clean engine inside.

i would like to think a oil temp sensor could be installed in the block somewhere, like the low oil sensor could be replaced with a temp sensor. then we would know for sure what temp the oil runs at, and if its truly needed.
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Yes, an oil temp sensor can be installed. Several have done it. But until you are running crazy mods and hot lapping at the track, there is no need for an oil cooler. The oil just doesn't get hot enough to warrant it.

As mentioned above, your oil needs to get hot enough to burn off the water and condensation. So keeping it too cold isn't a good thing. It can be worse than getting it too hot.

If you are really worried about oil temps, install a gauge. When your oil temps regularly run over 225° then you should start looking into installing a cooler.
 
Zef_66 said:
If you are really worried about oil temps, install a gauge. When your oil temps regularly run over 225° then you should start looking into installing a cooler.
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Thanks for the advice, I think I'll do that before getting an oil cooler.
 
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