Is OEM ZL1 Engine Oil Cooler any different than SS?

[X25]

I am trying to find a way to keep oil temps in check when I finally get to drive my '15 SS 1LE at the track. I was wondering if the engine oil cooler's heat exchanger for the ZL1 is any different and larger in capacity than the SS engine oil cooler; does anyone know?

When I looked it up at the online parts stores, it shows different titles (oil cooler assy 6.2 LITER W/O SUPERCHARGER v.s. oil cooler assy 6.2 LITER W/SUPERCHARGER), but their MSRP and sale price is identical, so I'm not sure if it's any different.

Does anyone know? Would I benefit by switching to that oil cooler?

[X25]

Any takers? Are they identical?

[axis]

From the pictures, they look to be the same. Any difference in actual size can't me much. If you're seriously wanting to lower your oil temps, an external radiator with a temp controlled check valve would be considerably better.

[Pro Stock John]

If they are the same don't bother. I'd do an aftermarket cooler like Axis said. Stock coolers also will sometimes fail like mine did at the drag strip.

[X25]

Originally Posted by axis

From the pictures, they look to be the same. Any difference in actual size can't me much. If you're seriously wanting to lower your oil temps, an external radiator with a temp controlled check valve would be considerably better.

I am investigating that route, too. Take a look at this chart. As you can see, you need quite a big oil cooler to reign in an engine making 450-500 HP:
http://www.setrabusa.com/products/oi...ine/index.html

I am leaning towards piecing together an external engine oil cooler kit with 12-AN fittings from Improved Racing, using Setrab's series 6, 40 row oil cooler. This is substantially bigger than what I see people use (which is usually less than 20 rows).

HP range Part Number Width (in) Height (in) ∆P (psi) btu/hr range
450-550 50-640-7612 12.99 12.20 1.6/2.1 45,000-67,000

This unit provides exceptional cooling with very low drop in oil pressure. Also, per Setrab, it will increase the oil capacity by .9 quarts (and will weigh 5.3 lbs dry, 6.99 lbs filled):
http://www.setrabusa.com/pdf/ProLine...ies_112610.pdf

[axis]

Click the "search this forum" on the upper right hand side of the first page of this forum, and type in "oil coolers". There are a few threads on this.

Whichever rad you get, make sure you grab one of these.

http://www.improvedracing.com/cooler...80f-p-209.html

[X25]

Originally Posted by Pro Stock John

If they are the same don't bother. I'd do an aftermarket cooler like Axis said. Stock coolers also will sometimes fail like mine did at the drag strip.

I read your posts on other threads, and indeed it sucks, but I'd imagine an aftermarket cooler can fail even easier, with all those fittings, hoses everywhere.

I really wanted to first upgrade the radiator and see if it helps enough, but I got conflicting information from vendors in terms of what would/could fit on a '15 1SS 1LE. If only I could know of a brand radiator that would fit perfect, which would also keep my engine oil temps in 260s... Back when I owned my last Corvette ('13 Z06), all I did was to replace the stock radiator with the ZR1/Z07-spec high performance version from GM, and that was enough.

[X25]

On a side-note, I know for a fact that the heat exchanger unit for Z28 is bigger since it was mentioned in introduction videos. I could not find any part number, though.

[Synner]

You're getting real hung up on a single chart from a single vendor. A bunch of us have done oil cooler upgrades and no one has gone that big. We're all doing ok.

And wait until you've looked at all the fittings on the stock system by disassembling it, there's less risk of failure with an aftermarket setup when installed properly.

[Anthony @ LG Motorsports]

From the cars that have came in the shop, the ZL1/SS/1LE all use the same oil cooler. I have not had the chance to pull a Z28 apart yet, so I am not sure what they are running.....other than the dry sump tank.

With that being said, the fluid to fluid exchangers work well....given the radiator is big enough to remove the heat from both. If it is not, then you will start to run into issues. Of course the more HP you make, the more heat it is going to produce.......and so on down the line.

We are finishing up a stand alone cooler for the C6Z cars now, and this might work well as a universal cooler for the Camaro's, using your own lines and adapter block.

Personally I'm not a big fan of the thermostats. Yes they do work on keeping your oil within a certain range if the cooler is so large you have a hard time getting temp in the engine when street driving, but unlike a water thermostat there is little time to handle this if they fail.

[axis]

Originally Posted by Anthony @ LG Motorsports

Personally I'm not a big fan of the thermostats. Yes they do work on keeping your oil within a certain range if the cooler is so large you have a hard time getting temp in the engine when street driving, but unlike a water thermostat there is little time to handle this if they fail.

I've seen quite a few people run these without issues. The big thing for me, and others when talking about aftermarket coolers is, initial warm up. Without something to keep the oil in the engine to warm up, it would take FOREVER to get your oil up to temps. Have you seen any of these fail, or just a concern you have?

[Anthony @ LG Motorsports]

Originally Posted by axis

I've seen quite a few people run these without issues. The big thing for me, and others when talking about aftermarket coolers is, initial warm up. Without something to keep the oil in the engine to warm up, it would take FOREVER to get your oil up to temps. Have you seen any of these fail, or just a concern you have?

Running a thermostat used to be very popular a number of years ago, even on the dedicated race cars, and yes we have seen them fail from time to time. Possibly there is a better fail safe now if they stick than what was used in the past?

If you look at the current generation Z06 (2006-2010 cars to be specific) they had a air/oil cooler and yes, if it was a cold and rainy day I would have a hard time making more than 140-160 F oil temps on the way to and from work....but on a normal sunny Texas day it would run 180-210. They later went to the system you see on the Camaro's with the fluid to fluid and now they will run 200-230 on a pretty normal basis as it is using the radiator to build temp. The ZR1 uses the same technology but both cars now have water and oil temp issues when used on track....which we did a radiator for and solved pretty much both issues.

Now you do have to take this with a grain of salt with the Z06 cars, they are measuring the oil at the bottom of the dry sump tank, not in the pan, or in the stream of oil coming to or from the engine....just at the bottom of the tank so those numbers are a bet offset.

[X25]

Originally Posted by Anthony @ LG Motorsports

Running a thermostat used to be very popular a number of years ago, even on the dedicated race cars, and yes we have seen them fail from time to time. Possibly there is a better fail safe now if they stick than what was used in the past?

If you look at the current generation Z06 (2006-2010 cars to be specific) they had a air/oil cooler and yes, if it was a cold and rainy day I would have a hard time making more than 140-160 F oil temps on the way to and from work....but on a normal sunny Texas day it would run 180-210. They later went to the system you see on the Camaro's with the fluid to fluid and now they will run 200-230 on a pretty normal basis as it is using the radiator to build temp. The ZR1 uses the same technology but both cars now have water and oil temp issues when used on track....which we did a radiator for and solved pretty much both issues.

Now you do have to take this with a grain of salt with the Z06 cars, they are measuring the oil at the bottom of the dry sump tank, not in the pan, or in the stream of oil coming to or from the engine....just at the bottom of the tank so those numbers are a bet offset.

Anthony, when do you guys plan to release an updated version of the radiator for 2013+ Camaros? Also, have you guys ever measured the drop in coolant and oil temps before/after your radiator at a road-course track?