2012 LS3 Oil Cooler Delete - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

TXM62SS · 01-01-2016, 03:08 PM

After discovering a coolant leak and reading several threads on this issue, I decided to jump and delete the oil cooler on my 2012 LS3. My leak was not at the cooler itself but at the fitting going into the drivers side of the engine block. I ordered the block plug, oil block-off plate and a 5/8" Dorman cap. While the 2010 and 2011 need a 2012 hose for their delete, the 2012 needs to block off the radiator at the bottom corner on the drivers side. I reused the clamp that held the OEM hose to clamp the 5/8" plug snug in place.

The delete was a bit tough due to some tight places where bolts had to be removed. Otherwise it was very straight forward. I took a few pics of the finished product for those who may be looking to do this.

1. Shot of the radiator with new cap

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/rnb-02253

2. Pic of the new engine block plug installed

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/nal-12561663

3. Pic of the new oil block-off plate installed

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-g6325

The one issue I had was not burping the engine coolant properly/completely after the install. I did a quick test drive and my coolant temps quickly climbed to about 250 so I turned around in my neighborhood and got her home. With some help from Unreal and Paul SS I learned that I did not do a thorough job of burping of the air out of the system. I jacked up the front end high, added some coolant to the overflow tank and radiator itself. Car idled for around 25 minutes and the temps eventually settled around 190. I will do a test drive and monitor the fluid temps for the next couple of days and report back for anyone interested. My oil temps during the 25 minutes of idling never got to 200 deg.

olblue75 · 01-01-2016, 05:34 PM

Where did you get the block off plate maybe some links would help...

Trob85 · 01-01-2016, 05:49 PM

Did you notice a change in oil temp after the delete.

Pro Stock John · 01-01-2016, 05:51 PM

I deleted mine almost a year ago, congrats on getting it off. The leaks sucked.

TXM62SS · 01-01-2016, 06:15 PM

So true John. I wished I had checked on this earlier. Kinda freaked me out when I saw coolant coming from that fitting.

TXM62SS · 01-01-2016, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by olblue75

Where did you get the block off plate maybe some links would help...

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-g6325

Here you go man. This is the one I got.

TXM62SS · 01-01-2016, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trob85

Did you notice a change in oil temp after the delete.

Oil temps have been the same so far. Its been a cool day in Houston. Will post up updates when I get some more seat time.

TXM62SS · 01-01-2016, 06:24 PM

Added links for all the parts in the original post for everyone looking to do this.

christianchevell · 01-02-2016, 09:31 AM

Good Post!

BAYSIC SS · 03-28-2016, 11:01 AM

What a stupid design that hot coolant will cool hot oil....mine leaked on the way home from a night of racing...so jacked mine up and cleaned the oil and saw it leaking from the cooler....ordered parts and glad to be done with this....thanks for the links and the write...pics helped out as well...so again thanks

Orange 2010 Camaro · 03-28-2016, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BAYSIC SS

What a stupid design that hot coolant will cool hot oil....mine leaked on the way home from a night of racing...so jacked mine up and cleaned the oil and saw it leaking from the cooler....ordered parts and glad to be done with this....thanks for the links and the write...pics helped out as well...so again thanks

Just so YOU understand how the oil cooler on your LS3 / L99 Camaro engine works, from the factory, the car is built with a 190 degree thermostat.

The ENGINE COOLANT is sent to the OIL COOLER to keep the (ENGINE OIL) that runs through the OIL COOLER in the (200-230)degree range. That is why it is called an OIL COOLER!

Also the ENGINE COOLANT that is sent to the OIL COOLER heats up the ENGINE OIL at a MUCH FASTER RATE when starting the car with a cold engine.

The FASTER the engine oil heats up from a cold start, the MORE protection you have regarding internal wear on items such as crank bearings & valve lifters.

I hope this information helps you to understand why the FACTORY OIL COOLER on your SS Camaro is in fact NOT A STUPID DESIGN!

Just remember,Nothing on your SS Camaro is BULLET PROOF! If you are going to run the car hard at a race track, it is only a matter of time until you ( HAVE TO PAY THE PIPER)!

All The Best

Orange 2010 Camaro

Bo White · 03-28-2016, 04:20 PM

Mine has been off since Jan of 15

blakjak55 · 03-28-2016, 07:10 PM

I'm particularly fond of the design and it getting the oil up to temp faster.

That being said, if it ever starts leaking, it'll get deleted unless I'm feeling froggy and willing to replace parts.

Eric14SS · 03-28-2016, 08:04 PM

I deleted mine too.

01-01-2016, 03:08 PM	#1
TXM62SS Drives: 2012 2SS/RS LS3 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Pearland, TX Posts: 388	2012 LS3 Oil Cooler Delete After discovering a coolant leak and reading several threads on this issue, I decided to jump and delete the oil cooler on my 2012 LS3. My leak was not at the cooler itself but at the fitting going into the drivers side of the engine block. I ordered the block plug, oil block-off plate and a 5/8" Dorman cap. While the 2010 and 2011 need a 2012 hose for their delete, the 2012 needs to block off the radiator at the bottom corner on the drivers side. I reused the clamp that held the OEM hose to clamp the 5/8" plug snug in place. The delete was a bit tough due to some tight places where bolts had to be removed. Otherwise it was very straight forward. I took a few pics of the finished product for those who may be looking to do this. 1. Shot of the radiator with new cap http://www.summitracing.com/parts/rnb-02253 2. Pic of the new engine block plug installed http://www.summitracing.com/parts/nal-12561663 3. Pic of the new oil block-off plate installed http://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-g6325 The one issue I had was not burping the engine coolant properly/completely after the install. I did a quick test drive and my coolant temps quickly climbed to about 250 so I turned around in my neighborhood and got her home. With some help from Unreal and Paul SS I learned that I did not do a thorough job of burping of the air out of the system. I jacked up the front end high, added some coolant to the overflow tank and radiator itself. Car idled for around 25 minutes and the temps eventually settled around 190. I will do a test drive and monitor the fluid temps for the next couple of days and report back for anyone interested. My oil temps during the 25 minutes of idling never got to 200 deg. __________________ 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 Last edited by TXM62SS; 01-01-2016 at 06:23 PM. Reason: Grammar

01-01-2016, 05:49 PM	#3
Trob85 Svt lol Drives: 2011 ss inferno orange blown Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Topeka Posts: 2,312	Did you notice a change in oil temp after the delete. __________________ plasti dip is not a mod.......and a cold air intake doesn't make you fast!

01-01-2016, 05:51 PM	#4
Pro Stock John Writer Drives: 2010 SS / 1967 Camaro Join Date: May 2009 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 7,216	I deleted mine almost a year ago, congrats on getting it off. The leaks sucked. __________________ 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

01-01-2016, 06:15 PM	#5
TXM62SS Drives: 2012 2SS/RS LS3 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Pearland, TX Posts: 388	So true John. I wished I had checked on this earlier. Kinda freaked me out when I saw coolant coming from that fitting. __________________ 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

01-01-2016, 06:24 PM	#8
TXM62SS Drives: 2012 2SS/RS LS3 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Pearland, TX Posts: 388	Added links for all the parts in the original post for everyone looking to do this. __________________ 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

01-01-2016, 05:34 PM	#2
olblue75 Drives: 2010 2SS/RS Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Clarksville Tennesse. Posts: 6,063	Where did you get the block off plate maybe some links would help...

01-02-2016, 09:31 AM	#9
christianchevell old school chevy rodder Drives: 2013 2SS/RS Manual,DM exhaust,CRT Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Oregon Posts: 5,587 View My Garage	Good Post! __________________ 2021 Wild Cherry ZL1 A10, Sunroof, Data, Carbon, Nav, RotoFab Dry CAI, Elite x2, Borla ATK, Driveshaft shop

03-28-2016, 11:01 AM	#10
BAYSIC SS Drives: '12 ss/rs Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: CoCo.Co. Posts: 74	What a stupid design that hot coolant will cool hot oil....mine leaked on the way home from a night of racing...so jacked mine up and cleaned the oil and saw it leaking from the cooler....ordered parts and glad to be done with this....thanks for the links and the write...pics helped out as well...so again thanks

03-28-2016, 04:20 PM	#12
Bo White Drives: 2015 Summit White 2SS 1LE Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Vance Alabama Posts: 8,018	Mine has been off since Jan of 15 __________________ Retired wanna be cylinder head porter 2015 2SS 1LE Clutch reservoir, Vararam DRX, ported TB, TSP 2" headers, MGW shifter Totalled: 2010 1SS Wilkes Performance/Eagle 416 shortblock, TSP custom valvetrain, PRC 260 heads, Edelbrock Pro Flo 102, th400 swap, 8" PTC 5500 stall= 535/435 at the wheels tuned Gen 3 Performance and Dyno 10.97 @ 124 full weight in 3100 DA CamaroFest X

03-28-2016, 07:10 PM	#13
blakjak55 drinks virgil's Drives: 2010 2SS M6 Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Missouri Posts: 448	I'm particularly fond of the design and it getting the oil up to temp faster. That being said, if it ever starts leaking, it'll get deleted unless I'm feeling froggy and willing to replace parts. __________________ 2010 2SS/RS M6 - CAI Intake - Borla Stinger - VTC - 3.91's Eibach Sways - LG ZR28's - BMR Springs - 285/35 Squared

03-28-2016, 08:04 PM	#14
Eric14SS Drives: 14 2SS RS and 16 Silverado LTZ Z71 Join Date: May 2014 Location: New Lenox, IL Posts: 68	I deleted mine too.