Should I run an oil cooler?

[spacepirate]

I have an LS3 with a stage 1 Mast Motorsports cam and Mast oil pan. I was curious if I should run an oil cooler? My plan is to daily drive it and try my hand at the occasional autox.

[raustinss]

Yes...and my favorite answer, wouldn't do any harm now would it?!

[Sieg]

Run an oil temp gauge and let that make the decision for you.

[Che70velle]

Stock LS3? I wouldn't bother with it. GM did a great job with temp control. Hot oil is your friend (to a degree...pun intended), and you certainly don't want to cool the oil unnecessarily. As Sieg suggested, let you gauge make this decision for you. Just because you can, doesn't mean you should.

[Rod P]

if your going to autocross it..... oil cooler and power steering cooler....at the very least.....

[spacepirate]

Thanks guys.

[Panteracer]

One thing I saw when I put the oil Cooler on it also
helps warm the engine up quicker..... You are on grid
at an Autocross on a cold morning and the cooler actually
helps put some heat in the engine before your first run

I always worry about hammering it before the oil actually gets
warm.. believe me it takes a little while if you watch that gauge

Bob

[Chad-1stGen]

Run an oil temp gauge and let that make the decision for you.

Agree with this.

If you do run an oil cooler make sure you get a quality thermostat to ensure minimum heat in the oil.

[clill]

One thing I saw when I put the oil Cooler on it also
helps warm the engine up quicker..... You are on grid
at an Autocross on a cold morning and the cooler actually
helps put some heat in the engine before your first run

I always worry about hammering it before the oil actually gets
warm.. believe me it takes a little while if you watch that gauge

Bob

For the life of me I can't figure out how the oil cooler helps warm the engine up on a cold morning. On my track car I have to put tape over the front of the cooler on cold mornings so the cold air doesn't keep cooling the oil.

[Matt@BOS]

For the life of me I can't figure out how the oil cooler helps warm the engine up on a cold morning. On my track car I have to put tape over the front of the cooler on cold mornings so the cold air doesn't keep cooling the oil.

I'm thinking oil to water type heat exchanger/cooler, maybe?

And, add me to the list of people who think an oil cooler is a good idea.

[waynieZ]

I have a cooler in my radiator , I'm still going to use a 215 degree Improved Racing oil thermostat.

[clill]

I'm thinking oil to water type heat exchanger/cooler, maybe?

And, add me to the list of people who think an oil cooler is a good idea.

That makes sense.. I just have a external cooler in front of the radiator.

[Che70velle]

Again, watch your gauges. Quality engine oils are developed by chemists, and most require being 210-230 degrees to operate effectively, and efficiently.
You should at least have these numbers to allow the condensation that develops in your oil to evaporate. If not, the condensation (water) turns to an acid like mixture, that corrodes. Nothing wrong with a cooler...if you need one.

[Panteracer]

Sorry. Yes I have a water to oil cooler
that helps warm the engine oil when cold

Have not run an air to oil cooler since
I got the Pantera. Charlie is right the air
cooler works against you on a cold day
if trying to warm things up

Bob

[Solid LT1]

From my C5 Z06 autocross days......you will see a 15-20 degree oil temp spike from extended high RPM operation on a 40-60 second autocross lap in a LS motor......run the cooler!

[GregWeld]

On a STREET / DD car -- if I ran an oil cooler (air to oil version) I'd run a thermostat in the system to make certain the oil gets up to temp. Running the oil too cool could lead to moisture building up. I don't know if you'd need that in a water to oil cooler as then the temp would be more controlled.

Like Charlie said -- we have to tape over our air to oil coolers at the track to get some heat in the system. But those are race/track cars... and are driven hard for 20 minute periods much of which is at WOT. Imagine now just running around on the street... and all the stopping etc that doesn't create any heat.

[spacepirate]

Thanks for all the advice guys.