And Penny just keeps on changing...

[Steve1968LS2]

Originally Posted by James OLC

I don't know if would be able to find a way to incorporate one (but I know that you are more than capable of figuring it out) but the marine 502's used to have a thermostatically controlled oil cooler that sandwiched between the block and the filter. IIRC the thermostat was set at about 220; below that the oil went straight to the filter, above that it went to the cooler first.

My Canton thermostat (the one you reference) works great but is huge - especially once you get 4 -12 lines going through it. Earls makes a much more reasonably packaged t-stat that is just slightly bigger than a deck of cards.

That being said - I don't think that you need one with the water based cooler. But I might be mistaken.

You don't need a t-stat with a water based cooler.. but I will have an air based cooler now.

The size of the Canton isn't a big deal since it will mount on the front of the core support (plenty of room). I don't like the Perma-Cool and Earls t-stats because (to me) they seem too restrictive. I read that the internals are pretty small and the reason the Canton unit is bigger it that is needs to be bigger to pass the right volume of oil.

I spoke with them today and we discussed why thier t-stat is set at 215-degrees while others are set lower (like 200 or even 180). They said they do this so that the temp is over the boiling point of water (212). This way any moisture in the oil will burn off, seemed to make sense.

Anyways, one is on the way, now to order up the Setrab.

[Steve1968LS2]

Originally Posted by gmorris

I'm running that stat and like it so far. I haven't made it back to the track to really punish it but on the street the oil comes up to temp just as fast as it did without the setrab cooler and seems to level off just over the set temp rather than just climbing until I lost my nerve like it did before. The stat has huge flow passages so I din't think there is any really restriction there either. The plumbing is a bit of a pain though.

My oil lines will now run up to the core support where they will attach to bulkheads. After that all the lines to the t-stat, the Setrab, back to the t-stat and to the bulkhead will be hard lines. It should make it all a bit neater. This will keep my engine bay neat and empty and utilize the dead space between my grill and the core support.

[Steve1968LS2]

The core support is fully in now, but there were a couple of issues that found. The nice part is that I spoke with the owner and he's making changes to future kits base on my suggestions. It's nice to see responses like this from companies.

Problem on was that the core support mount sat 3/4 or and inch too high. This means we needed a thicker spacer or a "stepped" mount. Future kits will have a way to step the mount. Not a big deal, but a PITA to fab on the spot.

Problem two was that on the LS style radiator the fill cap should be on the driver's side. In this configuration you would have a hard time running the car with the cap off (to fill, etc) since it would splash from the water pump inlet.

Like I said future ones will be changed. Other than that I love the kit. If you look at the earlier pics I posted you can really see how much bigger the opening is. When I mount my huge Setrab 925 cooler it's only going to shroud a small percent of the radiator and the increased cooling capacity should be really nice to have.

In my case we're going to move the cap ourselves. Here it is with thier optional core support closeout. I think it's pretty sweet looking, but I've gotten use to the DSE version, so we're going to fab it to work.

Also, the Autorad deal gives more clearance between the radiator fans and the water pump, so people would have an easier time with packaging an air induction system.

Here's a shot with their closeout...

[camcojb]

that sure is a clean looking setup, too bad they don't make one for a 73 Vega..................... yeah, big market there...........

Jody

[Steve1968LS2]

Finalized the Oil Cooler system:

Canton high-flow t-stat
Setrab 925 oil cooler

Cooler is like this one:
http://www.patrickmotorsports.com/part/1574/

The cooler will me mountd to bosses on the pass side of the radiator. The 10 AN lines will pass through the core support via bulkhead fitttings and go to the t-stat mounted to front side of the core support. All the lines on the front will be hard lines. This way the cooling system will be integral to the core support.

Also finalized the new engine:

440 cui LS engine
Darton MID sleeves in an LS2 block
Lunati Pro Crank = 4" stroke
4.185 Bore
Wiseco -8cc pistons
Compression should be 11.2:1 with 70 cc heads
K1 lightweght H-beam rods (6.125")
Canton oil pan

Either
235 Trick flow heads with Fast 92mm intake
or
Mast 12-degree Black Lable LS3 style heads with FAST 102mm intake

We're guessing 660 hp and right at 600 ft-lbs or torque.

[Steve1968LS2]

Originally Posted by camcojb

that sure is a clean looking setup, too bad they don't make one for a 73 Vega..................... yeah, big market there...........

Jody

I'm sure we would wittle one up.. especially with your mad skills..

[tobenk]

Steve the radiator support looks awesome and motor combo don't sound to bad either. By the way one of the best camaros of all time in my opinion.

[GregWeld]

WOW! That's great looking Steve!

Great info on the cap etc - something many would never think about!

[Steve1968LS2]

Originally Posted by tobenk

Steve the radiator support looks awesome and motor combo don't sound to bad either. By the way one of the best camaros of all time in my opinion.

Yea, I was really tempted to run that, but I like how the DSE panel extends into the engine bay and frames the engine. Or more like that is what I'm use to seeing.

and thanks for the compliments.. lots of NICE cars out there these days.

Originally Posted by GregWeld

WOW! That's great looking Steve!

Great info on the cap etc - something many would never think about!

It was nice how Jim at Autorad listened and was open to changes. Other people might have noticed the same things but never gave feedback to the them.

[Steve1968LS2]

Hmmm.. what's that writing on the inner fender well???