Oil cooler needed?

[OneLethal87GN]

Now that my engine is finally ready to go back in I have a question. The guy said that he couldn't sufficiently clean out the oil cooler and that it would be fine to just put the oil filter up there until I could get a new cooler. Is this good or do I need a new cooler? If so should I get a new stock type or aftermarket type?

 

[GN SBS]

The stock oil cooler is located in the radiator and if you're going to add a cooler I'd think it makes sense to add a nice high-efficiency aftermarket unit than replace the stocker.

B&M makes a nice version of their Supercooler for engine oil applications. This was the best option that I found, though others may chime in.

Scott

 

[MistaScott]

I got a new F-body radiator and have no oil cooler right now. It is not necessary short-term but would be helpful with regard to the turbo, etc. I intend on getting one before it gets warmer.

The radiator oil cooler is fairly useless because it uses hot coolant to cool the oil.

 

[JeffG]

I used to run a pretty large external unit that I seriouly think kept the oil too cold (on cool nights). If I were to take a long freeway drive with weather in the low 50's-40's, it would build up foam in the breathers and valve covers. It was like the oil didn't get hot enough to really steam off the mosture.
I had then taken it off the car and oil pressure takes a dive on warm days. The cooler does seem to help keep oil pressure up.
I really think the best set up (if you must tinker with the stock set up) is to have the oil run through an external, then into the stock unit in the radiator to stablize the oil temps in most weather conditions.

 

[DR BOOST]

hmmm...now that you mention it..maybe the stock setup was also to warm up the oil faster too.

i run without the oil cooler and it takes my car 5 minutes to reach 130 deg. coolant temp and about 15 miles of driving for my oil to reach operating temp. i dont get on the car until my oil press drops to about 25 at idle. when i start it its at about 95 psi.

i kinda wish i never put guages in the car. i find myself constantly staring at them.


surej

 

[Mark E.]

Anyone else have an oil temp guage? My temps barely went up 10 degrees without the cooler. Regular driving/Hot rodding it never gets much over 200 degrees. Sender is in the pan. I did not use the cooler for the same debris reason. I have not seen a need to put one back on. Maybe before I run the Silver State Classic, but that may be a while

 

[Red Regal T]

I just purchased a perma-cool dual pass unit for $100 (one for trans and one for oil) because I'm installing a camaro radiator. Take a look at it in Summit........Nice looking piece. I haven't done the changeover yet so can't comment on performance. I think I'd feel better with an oil cooler than without. Oil gets pretty hot running through the turbo.

 

[GN SBS]

Originally posted by JeffG
I used to run a pretty large external unit that I seriouly think kept the oil too cold (on cool nights). If I were to take a long freeway drive with weather in the low 50's-40's, it would build up foam in the breathers and valve covers. It was like the oil didn't get hot enough to really steam off the mosture.
I had then taken it off the car and oil pressure takes a dive on warm days. The cooler does seem to help keep oil pressure up.
I really think the best set up (if you must tinker with the stock set up) is to have the oil run through an external, then into the stock unit in the radiator to stablize the oil temps in most weather conditions.

Thanks for the info.

Note that B&M sells an optional thermostat with a cooler bypass, but their tech representative that I spoke to didn't recommend it unless you lived in sub-zero land.

 

[HellOnWheels]

Oil cooler

I haven't run an oil cooler (stock or otherwise) for the past 5-6 years and so far haven't had a problem, but I run synthetic oils. I just do not see where a turbo engine would run any hotter than any other engine w/o an oil cooler unless the engine sees boost all the time.

The oil needs to run fairly hot to keep the moisture boiled outta the oil anyway.

HellOnWheels

 

[CTX-SLPR]

Howdy,

From what I understand its actually a good idea to run both internal and external coolers but run the external cooler before the internal. The reason for this being to keep from overchilling the oil but still knock the extreme heat out of it. By running the external first it cools the oil down significantly but maybe too much, then you you use the internal cooler to normalize the temperature more in line with what the engine is running at so you keep the water out and the viscosity at the correct area.
Same applys to trannies. I plan on running external coolers for both the tranny and engine oil but keeping internal coolers to keep the fluids in the proper operating range so they are neither too thick or too thin.

Just my thoughts on the issue,

 

[Red Regal T]

If your oil should run too cool, all you have to do is move it, or slant it, so as not to receive as much air flow. Climate has a lot to do with it. I'm in Florida so will have less problems with a cooler according to the opinions in this thread. If you live in the north, it's chilly, or downright freezing, most of 9 months out of the year. I have your May temperatures in January so I don't think my oil will run too cool. If it does, I'll just slant it out of the airstream.

 

[MistaScott]

Unfortunately a lot of us have F-body aluminum radiators and we can't run an internal cooler.

I'd be interested in knowing what temp measurements people get with and without an external cooler and with no cooler at all. Especially in the summer (i.e. 80 plus degree air temps).

 

[OneLethal87GN]

Well, it sounds as if not running it would be o.k. I'm not too worried about the turbo since it has the water-cooled option and I plan to run the lines once I get the car back.

 

[8UWITH6]

I just installed the F-body radiator in my GN and took off the oil cooler. I really dont plan on running it, but have thought about a small external cooler under the rad support or something. I have a few local buds that went w/o the oil cooler all last summer with no problems to speak of. Just my .02

 

[galoush]

Synthetic and no cooler here .

 

[REDS HOT AIR]

regular valvoline oil and no cooler ever on mine ...I punish my car everytime its driven and have no signs of oil breakdown when I tear into it to freshen it up

when you get into high hp with these motors need to inspect and refresh reguarly for precaution and to catch anything that may be starting to go wrong

no engine problems at all so far other than lifting the heads