How to install air-to-oil engine oil cooler

[crc91]

Idk it's not somethin I'm looking to do immediately as I haven't even tracking my car yet, I'm into road course driving and autox. But I know I'll probably need it went y'all and I'll have to look at the car more and do a bit more research. Maybe I'll have the guys at lethal racing do the install.

[EarlyApex]

Originally Posted by X25

I worked on the car for a bit today, and I was able to install the oil cooler adapter upright!!

This means, thermostat will operate based on NOT the cooled oil coming from the cooler, but rather the hot oil coming out of engine. In my case, since I have an over-sized oil cooler, the difference can be huge.

Once I made sure nothing leaked, I went out for a test drive. I hopped onto highway, and set my speed on cruise control @65MPH @4300RPM @3rd gear @~30 degreed F ambient. The V8 quickly starts heating up at high RPMs, but this time, instead of keeping the climb, it has stabilized at 233 degrees, and never went above.

Of course, the real test will be at the track. Weather permitting, I will attend a track day on this Saturday. Michael @Improved Racing has also sent me a few parts to test if I need to (an oil cooler adapter with no thermostat, a 180 degrees F unit, different fittings, etc.), so if this is not the end of this saga, I will get to the bottom of it no matter what!



Note: I also updated the how-to post regarding upright install option.

First off, thanks for documenting your install, it's very helpful for the rest of us. Question, did you use the same fittings on the oil cooler adapter after installing it right side up?

[X25]

Originally Posted by EarlyApex

First off, thanks for documenting your install, it's very helpful for the rest of us. Question, did you use the same fittings on the oil cooler adapter after installing it right side up?

My pleasure. Good question, and yes, the same fittings worked just fine when I installed the adapter upright.

[Firefighter]

TTT for reference...

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

[AG1LE]

Thanks for the detailed write-up. Have you had a chance to test it out on the track? I'm looking to do something like this very soon.

[RaiderSS]

Great write up! Was extremely helpful in doing my own...

[X25]

I'm glad it helped! I am about to do a similar install on my Miata.

I have not tested the final set-up at the track since I was waiting on some of the Z/28 aero parts to cover up fenders and my Z/28 wheels would otherwise destroy my paint. The parts will finally be installed this week, and I plan to attend a track day on June 28th to see how temps will fare. I can't wait!

[Superman09]

Excellent write up, and this is something I am definitely looking into in the future. Approximately how much did the set up run you minus the gauges.

[X25]

Originally Posted by Superman09

Excellent write up, and this is something I am definitely looking into in the future. Approximately how much did the set up run you minus the gauges.

Thanks!

It cost me about $1K, but half of it was the oil cooler core. I wanted to go with the core that has the least pressure drop and most capacity, while having a good fit up front. I also used -12AN lines for the best flow.

I think you can lower the cost to about $650-700 with few minor changes.

[jamestown]

Greetings X25 and fellow oil cooling fans,

I went to the track this weekend and wanted to post some results of a cooling setup very similar to yours.

I have a series 1 60 row and the 212 improved racing thermostat mounted upright, -12 an lines, and no power mods on the engine, with the hood gills on my 1le open.

It was a high speed track (mosport) so the airflow should be above average.

In 77 degree ambient I hit 295 oil temps measured at the oil coming out of the block after about 15 minutes. The sessions were 25-30 min so this resulted in me doing a cool down lap and then proceeding to drive hard for the remainder of the session, ending again at 295.

The second day the ambient temperatures were quite a bit lower, around 60 degrees. During the same session length oil temps topped out at around 288.

So basically, this setup is borderline if you expect endless hard laps in warm weather. Is this a fine compromise for a street car? Probably as even if your engine temps are kept in check with an even larger oil cooler, the trans, diff, tires are all likely going to overheat next.

If I was going to do it again I would consider a series 6 oil cooler despite the increased pressure drop. For instance, the series 6 60 row cooler has literally twice the surface area and is only $100 more than the cooler I purchased.

[MTCobra]

You removed the factory oil cooler as well?


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[jamestown]

Originally Posted by MTCobra

You removed the factory oil cooler as well?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yes, the improved racing thermostat bolts on where the stock oil cooler is mounted to the block.

[X25]

Originally Posted by jamestown

Greetings X25 and fellow oil cooling fans,

I went to the track this weekend and wanted to post some results of a cooling setup very similar to yours.

I have a series 1 60 row and the 212 improved racing thermostat mounted upright, -12 an lines, and no power mods on the engine, with the hood gills on my 1le open.

It was a high speed track (mosport) so the airflow should be above average.

In 77 degree ambient I hit 295 oil temps measured at the oil coming out of the block after about 15 minutes. The sessions were 25-30 min so this resulted in me doing a cool down lap and then proceeding to drive hard for the remainder of the session, ending again at 295.

The second day the ambient temperatures were quite a bit lower, around 60 degrees. During the same session length oil temps topped out at around 288.

So basically, this setup is borderline if you expect endless hard laps in warm weather. Is this a fine compromise for a street car? Probably as even if your engine temps are kept in check with an even larger oil cooler, the trans, diff, tires are all likely going to overheat next.

If I was going to do it again I would consider a series 6 oil cooler despite the increased pressure drop. For instance, the series 6 60 row cooler has literally twice the surface area and is only $100 more than the cooler I purchased.

jamestown, thank your very much for posting all this info!

A few questions:

• First off, I presume you have an aftermarket oil temp sensor and gauge?
• Since you've already installed your system, did you consider using a 180 degrees F thermostat? Besides starting to cool earlier, it might also help with the flow in case it takes too long for the 212 degrees F thermostat to fully open up.
• The core you selected is rated for 325-425HP by Setrab, while the 72 row is rated for 600+. I wonder if that core is just not sufficient.

HP range Part Number W/H (in) ∆P (psi) btu/hr range
325-425 50-160-7612 8.27 18.31 0.6/1.1 33,000-45,000
600+ 50-172-7612 8.27 22.13 0.8/1.0 40,000-60,000
http://www.setrabusa.com/products/oi...ine/index.html

[jamestown]

Originally Posted by X25

jamestown, thank your very much for posting all this info!

A few questions:

• First off, I presume you have an aftermarket oil temp sensor and gauge?
• Since you've already installed your system, did you consider using a 180 degrees F thermostat? Besides starting to cool earlier, it might also help with the flow in case it takes too long for the 212 degrees F thermostat to fully open up.
• The core you selected is rated for 325-425HP by Setrab, while the 72 row is rated for 600+. I wonder if that core is just not sufficient.

HP range Part Number W/H (in) ∆P (psi) btu/hr range
325-425 50-160-7612 8.27 18.31 0.6/1.1 33,000-45,000
600+ 50-172-7612 8.27 22.13 0.8/1.0 40,000-60,000
http://www.setrabusa.com/products/oi...ine/index.html

Yes I have an auto meter temp gauge mounted on the improved racing thermostat (same as your current setup). I did not consider a 180 degree thermostat. While it would give me more hot laps, the temps on the street settle around 225 degrees so I believe that the 212 degree thermostat is the correct choice for a street driven car.

My core choice is smaller than yours by about 20% and it may not be sufficient. However you are also producing more power than me so I would expect your engine to also be throwing off more heat. Either way it is my current belief that both the (series 1) 60 row and the 72 row may not be enough to cool the ls3 on the track (in >75 degree temps), and I look forward to seeing your on track results.