oharal

Hi guys. I'm looking to add oil cooling to my 02 Z06 this year. I'm a high end of intermediate to advanced driver and my oil temps are getting way up there...300F easy if I don't pay close attention and give a cool down lap or two sometimes.

I've been looking at stuff from Improved Racing and they seem to have the goods...

But would I be better off to just get a new bigger radiator like Dewitt's with integrated EOC? I could get two birds stoned at once this way and it seems the price is pretty reasonable. I won't have to worry about coolant temps if I ever go with some stupid power adders.

I want to get my oil temps down closer to 230 in sustained track sessions (30 mins, hot southeast USA summertime). What's my best bet? Are the integrated EOC radiators as good or better than a standalone unit? I definitely like not having to fabricate parts to mount a standalone...



Luke

davidfarmer

A separate oil cooler will do a better job of lowering oil temps. Ideally you’d run a large aluminum radiator and a separate oil cooler. I’ve personally not had satisfactory results with the integrated solutions

Quickshift_C5

JHrinsin

Similar discussion with good feedback recently here;

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...rack-duty.html

bigmackloud

Agree with all of the above. Ultimately having stand along coolers will give you more cooling capacity.

I put together my stand alone oil cooler with components from Improved Racing. Used their thermostat adapter block, Setrab 625 cooler, 10 AN braided lines, Raceflux heat sheathing to cover the braided lines, and I fabricated a simple cooler mount from sheet metal.

I documented my install here... (it's a little long, but you can skim to the sections that interest you).

And recently, while I had my engine out for a rebuild, I installed the I.R. oil pan baffles, and also a DeWitts aluminum radiator. I did installation videos for these too on my YT channel that you're welcome to check out if that interests you.

ImprovedRacing

You won't get your oil temps down enough with an integrated cooler. You will have to go with a standalone cooler.

We are actually working on an oil cooler kit for the C5, but it's probably still a couple of months away from being ready.

JHrinsin

Both the DeWitts and Ron Davis radiators are excellent all aluminum fabricated units but they can be a bit on the expensive side of things for some folks. There have been those here on the forum that have also reported success running the less expensive ECP fabricated all aluminum radiator #1480A (C5 manual trany)

http://www.speedcooling.com/1997-200...-Radiator.html

oharal

Thanks everyone for the feedback. Sounds nearly unanimous that standalone is the only way to go. I also found I can relatively simply mount the cooler behind the front fascia on the metal bumper and give it good air flow through the mesh vent next to the license plate closeout. Next I'll have to somehow arrive at a length of hoses to buy and hope I'm right......

bigmackloud

I used a section of basic rubber hose (cheap) and test routed how I wanted to run my lines to get an idea of length. It takes more than you think, so definitely buy a little extra.

oharal

Ohhh good call. I can probably find a crappy old water hose or something to try with!

Allthrottleandsomebottle

If you can find one in the PDF link in the below (vendor gone), it's one of the best stand alones

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...t-install.html

dropped temps 30 degrees.........it is in a vulnerable location but ya can't have it all

kmagvette

This is exactly what I did minus the Thermostatic Adapter thingy. I also run a 160 stat. On a hot day at The Glen, beating on it, the highest observed oil temp has been 245*. A single cool down lap drops oil temp to under 200 by the time I hit the pits. Water temp max is about 195, 25% Dexcool and 2 bottles of Water Wetter. I got my radiator from DRM and removed the extra shroud material as suggested in the instructions. Oil cooler is large Setrab, also purchased from DRM; mounts cleanly in front of the A/C (when I had A/C) condenser.

Very early on I went to an Oil Integrated radiator. As soon as I started running sticky tires I was back up to near 300* range. Your mileage may vary.

For what it's worth, I also put a smaller Setrab on the power steering, mounted up front with the oil cooler. The reservoir is aluminum and after a session you can keep your finger on it. In addition to the added cooling, you significantly increase the volume of PS fluid. The rack seems to like it as well.