Eliminating Oil Cooler - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

pancherj · 11-26-2015, 09:55 AM

I've seen lots of posts on adding an external engine oil cooler. What about eliminating it all together? I developed the dreaded leak and want to get it fixed ASAP. Any pictures or part numbers from guys that have done this?

Unreal · 11-26-2015, 10:17 AM

GTO oil block off plate from dealer
Or they are all over amazon, or summit has them

GM GTO OFAC Part Number 12577903

http://www.amazon.com/Billet-Cooler-.../dp/B00LV1JAW6

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/su...OW4aArVn8P8HAQ

If you don't road race or do track stuff, a great cheap/easy mod.

pancherj · 11-26-2015, 12:03 PM

That's perfect Unreal thanks!!

blake-b · 11-26-2015, 01:25 PM

You'll also also need a screw in freeze plug for the block. GM part number 11588949 or whatever part number superceded it.

pancherj · 11-26-2015, 01:35 PM

Is there also an issue with the radiator hose? The car isn't here right now, but I thought there was a coolant line that ran down there to the cooler.

DarkCry956 · 11-26-2015, 01:46 PM

Yes. I believe 2012+ radiator hose is what you need.

blake-b · 11-26-2015, 01:53 PM

You'll need to splice in a piece to eliminate the "T" or take your hose to an auto parts store and compare it to ones they have to get a similar shaped one (minus the "T"). If I remember correctly, the one out of an LS1 camaro (98-02) is close enough to work.

Or get GM PN 22962571. It is the factory hose for 2012+ SS camaros and doesn't have the "T". GM changed from splicing into the upper radiator hose in 2012 to running a line from the bottom of the radiator to the oil cooler/heater thing.

Darkcry beat me.

pancherj · 11-26-2015, 02:43 PM

Thanks for the help everyone! I appreciate it.

Pro Stock John · 11-27-2015, 10:52 AM

I'm not FI but I did all the above to delete my oil cooler.

TXM62SS · 12-17-2015, 01:01 PM

Would there be anything different in doing this for a 2012 LS3 with the radiator hose being different? Thanks in advance!

pancherj · 12-17-2015, 03:18 PM

Other than the radiator hose (you should already have the correct one), everything else should be the same.

xc_SS/RS · 12-20-2015, 06:10 PM

Curious why one would do this?

pancherj · 12-21-2015, 11:27 AM

Lots of leaks with the factory system. LS engines were going out the door by the millions before GM added the cooler. Maybe if they had done a better job on the engineering of the oil cooler system, the problems wouldn't be so pervasive in the Camaro and corvette community.

xc_SS/RS · 12-21-2015, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pancherj

Lots of leaks with the factory system. LS engines were going out the door by the millions before GM added the cooler. Maybe if they had done a better job on the engineering of the oil cooler system, the problems wouldn't be so pervasive in the Camaro and corvette community.

Yeah I can definitely see why you would change it to a different external cooler because of leaks but why would you delete it all together? It works to an extent, not as good as an external cooler that's in the grill area but removing it seems like a bad idea as the oil will stay warmer and be a higher temperature during normal operation.

11-26-2015, 09:55 AM	#1
pancherj Drives: 2010 Camaro SS Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Central PA Posts: 438	Eliminating Oil Cooler I've seen lots of posts on adding an external engine oil cooler. What about eliminating it all together? I developed the dreaded leak and want to get it fixed ASAP. Any pictures or part numbers from guys that have done this?

11-26-2015, 10:17 AM	#2
Unreal Drives: 2006 Z06 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 5,712	GTO oil block off plate from dealer Or they are all over amazon, or summit has them GM GTO OFAC Part Number 12577903 http://www.amazon.com/Billet-Cooler-.../dp/B00LV1JAW6 http://www.summitracing.com/parts/su...OW4aArVn8P8HAQ If you don't road race or do track stuff, a great cheap/easy mod. __________________ Nick Corvette Z06 -1200ish rwhp

11-27-2015, 10:52 AM	#9
Pro Stock John Writer Drives: 2010 SS / 1967 Camaro Join Date: May 2009 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 7,216	I'm not FI but I did all the above to delete my oil cooler. __________________ PROJECT HEAVY CHEVY Camaro Now: Mods for the Masses Part I \| Part II 13.15@106 1.95 \| 100% Stock 12.37@112 1.85 \| + Kooks Headers/Cats + 20" 555R + CAI + BW TB + UDP + Tune 12.06@113 1.70 \| + CD 3200 + 18" NT05R + RCR Intake + NE OTR + GPI Tune 11.84@115 1.59 \| + 3.91s + Race Star 17x7 Fronts 10.90@125 1.47 \| + GPI VVT Cam + BW Ported Heads + CD 3800

12-17-2015, 01:01 PM	#10
TXM62SS Drives: 2012 2SS/RS LS3 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Pearland, TX Posts: 388	Would there be anything different in doing this for a 2012 LS3 with the radiator hose being different? Thanks in advance! __________________ Victory Red 2012 2SS/RS LS3 Camaro Pat G. Spec Cam from Cam Motion 228/236 .599/.599 112+2LSA Kooks 1-7/8" LTs w/ Cats Roto-Fab, Bo White TB, Borla Touring Catback 3.91 1LE Gears, MGW Tuned by Pat G

12-20-2015, 06:10 PM	#12
xc_SS/RS Drives: 2010 Camaro SS/RS Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: somewhere in MD Posts: 4,883	Curious why one would do this? __________________ 2010 2SS/RS Z/28 intake, NW, FAST 102, speed engineering LT's, some exhaust, ATI -10% pulley, GM flex fuel injectors, DSX flex fuel sensor, MGW shifter, HP Tuners, some suspension work, stickers and a little weight loss. 12.63 @113.53

11-26-2015, 12:03 PM	#3
pancherj Drives: 2010 Camaro SS Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Central PA Posts: 438	That's perfect Unreal thanks!!

11-26-2015, 01:25 PM	#4
blake-b Drives: 2009 ZR1 Join Date: May 2010 Location: KCMO Posts: 3,205	You'll also also need a screw in freeze plug for the block. GM part number 11588949 or whatever part number superceded it.

11-26-2015, 01:35 PM	#5
pancherj Drives: 2010 Camaro SS Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Central PA Posts: 438	Is there also an issue with the radiator hose? The car isn't here right now, but I thought there was a coolant line that ran down there to the cooler.

11-26-2015, 01:46 PM	#6
DarkCry956 Drives: 2011 Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Texas RGV Posts: 794	Yes. I believe 2012+ radiator hose is what you need.

11-26-2015, 01:53 PM	#7
blake-b Drives: 2009 ZR1 Join Date: May 2010 Location: KCMO Posts: 3,205	You'll need to splice in a piece to eliminate the "T" or take your hose to an auto parts store and compare it to ones they have to get a similar shaped one (minus the "T"). If I remember correctly, the one out of an LS1 camaro (98-02) is close enough to work. Or get GM PN 22962571. It is the factory hose for 2012+ SS camaros and doesn't have the "T". GM changed from splicing into the upper radiator hose in 2012 to running a line from the bottom of the radiator to the oil cooler/heater thing. Darkcry beat me.

11-26-2015, 02:43 PM	#8
pancherj Drives: 2010 Camaro SS Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Central PA Posts: 438	Thanks for the help everyone! I appreciate it.

12-17-2015, 03:18 PM	#11
pancherj Drives: 2010 Camaro SS Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Central PA Posts: 438	Other than the radiator hose (you should already have the correct one), everything else should be the same.

12-21-2015, 11:27 AM	#13
pancherj Drives: 2010 Camaro SS Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Central PA Posts: 438	Lots of leaks with the factory system. LS engines were going out the door by the millions before GM added the cooler. Maybe if they had done a better job on the engineering of the oil cooler system, the problems wouldn't be so pervasive in the Camaro and corvette community.