engine oil thermostat needed?

[71RS/SS396]

Originally Posted by Vegas69

If I was that concerned, I'd look to see what factory engineers do. Oil t stats allow for up to 20% of the oil to flow anyway, I don't think it will make much difference but I'm no expert. I did build a pro touring car and slept in my own bed.

If the coolant tstat isn't opening, that means the coolant system is likely to large. A factory car tstat will open in almost all conditions. The truth is, these high powered pro touring cars need massive cooling systems to have a chance without real engineering.

It does make a difference having a thermostat on the oil. I have the same radiator/cooler set-up as the op and initially had no t-stat but struggled to build oil temps in cool weather while street driving.

I'm not sure I would use what factory engineers do as a model for proper cooling for road course duty. There are very few factory built cars that could handle a 30 minute session on a big road course where the duty cycle is higher than anything it will see in street duty.

[jlwdvm]

I was superised to hear that some think that the C&R oil cooler won't be enough for a 20 minute track session...which is what I will be doing most of the time. I went a little overboard with my cooling system for piece of mind and room to grow in the future. I thought Steilow was using a similar setup in some of his builds. I think for a little added cost with the Improved Racing options, I will go with a thermostat. Would 212 be a better bet if the car will see a little street time, or would 180 be better for the track? I'm still trying to find a spin-on oil filter adapter that I can plumb my accusump into as well. The factory style oil pan doesn't leave much room for the spin-on adapters! Thanks.

[71RS/SS396]

The C&R cooler will be fine, that's what I'm using and it cools mine just fine. I would use the 180.

[GregWeld]

Originally Posted by jlwdvm

I was superised to hear that some think that the C&R oil cooler won't be enough for a 20 minute track session...which is what I will be doing most of the time. I went a little overboard with my cooling system for piece of mind and room to grow in the future. I thought Steilow was using a similar setup in some of his builds. I think for a little added cost with the Improved Racing options, I will go with a thermostat. Would 212 be a better bet if the car will see a little street time, or would 180 be better for the track? I'm still trying to find a spin-on oil filter adapter that I can plumb my accusump into as well. The factory style oil pan doesn't leave much room for the spin-on adapters! Thanks.

Did you check Accusump.com They offer various spin on parts and adaptors on their website.

[jlwdvm]

The single inlet adapter that accusump has for the 22mmx1.5 has a kick out where the inlet is machined in that won't allow it to spin on the Holley 302 LS pan...or any other LS pan I think. I found one that Moroso makes that may fit. It has a lower profile at the inlet. It, along with more fittings, should be here in a few days.

[Vegas69]

Originally Posted by 71RS/SS396

It does make a difference having a thermostat on the oil. I have the same radiator/cooler set-up as the op and initially had no t-stat but struggled to build oil temps in cool weather while street driving.

I'm not sure I would use what factory engineers do as a model for proper cooling for road course duty. There are very few factory built cars that could handle a 30 minute session on a big road course where the duty cycle is higher than anything it will see in street duty.

Very few pro-touring cars can run 30 minutes all out as well...

The stat sure isn't going to hurt. I just never had any problems with moisture in 7,000 miles. I was a fair weather driver and always ran a detergent oil vs. race oil. I ran dual -12 breathers which likely helped evacuate and many of my miles were combo street/city. Down the freeway in sub 60 weather would definitely make for low oil temps. What's another $200 bucks. ha