Is an oil cooler really needed???

[GNICETRY]

OK, need a new radiator and am leaning towards a Be Cool universal w/ no other coolers. Probably will just get a tranny cooler only or maybe a small oil one. #1-Is an oil cooler really necessary? I thought high oil temps are good. Guys with no oil coolers-what are your temps? #2-How much lower are water temps w/o any other coolers in it? I would imagine it would be substantially lower.

 

[Russ Merritt]

With synthetic oil, my opinion is no. I don't run an oil cooler on my car and have seen no harmful effects. I also run 5-30 weight Amsoil, stock size oil pump with a booster plate and have tons of oil press. 20# hot idle and 70# WOT. Hot oil is good, just not too hot. I also run a Be Cool radiator and a FM I/C, in 95 degree heat a 1 hour ride on the highway the car stays at 162 degrees. When I exit the highway, at a stop light the car will go to 175, the fan kicks on and the temp retreats to 165 (fan turn off).

 

[bruce]

It depends,
Lots of chips run alot of timing in cruise mode, and that drives the oil temps up.
If you're running a lean cruise mode, I'd suggest you use the cooler.

About the only way to get a low timing at cruise chip right is going to be doing it yourself. So the safest bet is running the cooler.

 

[Mark E.]

I agree the safest way is to run a cooler. But, I have not used mine for several years. I lost a bearing, and I did not think I could get all the crap out of the cooler. I have a temp guage with the sender mounted in the pan. I did not see more than a 5-10 degree temp rise with no cooler. I was suprised. I thought it would be hotter. I have a very good cooling system, that helps too. My experience, Mark E.

 

[twin 93 svt]

D0nt use one either

 

[Eric Stage I]

In the interest of piston cooling, detonation, engine longevity, and turbo longevity, I would use the oil cooler.

Eric

 

[The Radius Kid]

The way I see it,GM[a company known for cutting costs everywhere they can]put one on the car.
There must be a reason for it.

 

[V6 Beast]

I don't run one.. but I spent a lot more than GM did on my cooling system.


Sully

 

[Roger]

I agree with The Radius Kid.
It gets hot here in Florida & I've not done anything to make the TR quicker, except to make it run cooler. I've picked up almost 1.5 sec without any go fast mods.

 

[darkfa8]

i run a B&M super cooler in-line with the stock radiator trans cooler, also have a CAS 3-core radiator, Intrepid dual fans (from ramchargers.com) and my coolant temps never exceed 180*

In the future I plan on adding another super-cooler for the oil in line with the stock radiator one.