Should I run an oil cooler? - Lateral-g Forums

spacepirate · #1 10-12-2015, 08:26 PM

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 · #2 10-12-2015, 08:48 PM

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

**Sieg** · #3 10-12-2015, 09:19 PM

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

Che70velle · #4 10-13-2015, 04:18 AM

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 · #5 10-13-2015, 06:24 AM

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

spacepirate · #6 10-13-2015, 10:25 AM

Thanks guys.

Panteracer · #7 10-13-2015, 11:00 AM

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 · #8 10-13-2015, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sieg

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** · #9 10-13-2015, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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

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** · #10 10-13-2015, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clill

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.