I was cruising along around 70 mph today. Got a pretty long open stretch ahead and the temptation got to me. I ran it up to over 100+ mph. After slowing back to 70 or so I noticed the oil temperature was 219*. My engine coolant temp was only 183*. Have a 160 tstat. Seems a bit warm for an outside ambient temp of only 75*. What is it going to be when it's 95* outside. Sure glad I have a 160 tstat. Can't imagine what it would be running with the factory. After a fair amount of normal driving, the times I've checked, engine oil was around 200*.

Yea I know, I shouldn't be going that fast but on a wide open stretch it awfully hard to keep this Corvette down.

 

Your 160 stat has nothing to do with your oil temp. High rpms heat your oil up bro. I have a built in oil cooler (LG Motorsports G2 Supercool Radiatior w/built in oil cooler) and my oil temps rarely get above 210 and thats when I am running hard on the expressway. Without the cooler temps had been in the high 230's. Continuous high speeds and no cool down times your oil could get into the 270's or more when playing hard, and without a cooler you have to be careful or you'll be suffering from Viscosity Breakdown. Mobil 1 is good for temps higher then 300* I believe but don't test my memory, I could be wrong.

 

Good info Doug; will you need to get a cooler if you run Mobil 1?



.

 

I do run Mobil 1. Maybe I just shouldn't drive that fast from now on!

Surely GM knows us guys are going to run these Corvettes pretty fast and have designed for that without having to buy an aftermarket oil cooler. May that's why our filler cap says Mobil 1.

 

Well I have an aftermarket oil cooler that came built in to the radiator I bought. Anyways my car generates 480+ rwhp and 454 rwtq and a lot more heat then it did stock so I really needed the upgraded cooling for the engine and oil cooler for the oil. Helps it to run better then stock by controlling the heat factor. To much heat is terrible when it comes to getting and maintaining MAX performance.

 

I may have to consider one of LG radiators if my temps get very high when summer gets here. If I see above about 250 then I will get concerned. Thanks for the info!

 

You can get an oil cooler by itself. But if you are modding the engine get the LG Motorsports G2 supercool radiator. It was worth every penny in my opinion. Decreased coolant temps, and much cooler oil temps even under hard driving.

 

I don't plan any serious mods but I do like cooler oil and coolant temps. I like the oil cooler built into the radiator rather than added on somewhere as in blocking part of the radiator. That LG is pretty pricy though at $1200! I don't have the Z51 so they are saying another $150.

 

Those temps are nothing to worry about. I have Z51 and can run up to 230 sitting in traffic for an hour at 105*. Typically run 210-220*. I'm also over 470 rwhp and run 11.5:1 static comp.

If you are hot lapping at the track, you will notice some loss in times though!

 

No big deal .

 

I think the price went up for 2007. I don't remember it being that much when I bought it with lines in March 2006. There are other options out there, but I can only speak on the Superior Quality of LG Motorsports G2 radiator. Haven't had an issue yet, and really doubt that I will either.

 

For now I just plan to keep a watch on my temp as it gets to warmer weather. If I feel it's getting too warm then I'll address the issue. Or maybe Chevrolet needs to address the issue if it's a problem.

Thanks for all the info!

 

You should be fine.

 

my new c7 is the same way Larry.... I aired her out a few times friday, and the oil temps were in the 220's. Now lets get together and race .

 

Hi Larry! Sounds like fun. When are you going to the track again?

 

A bunch of us track/road race our cars ( ~30 minute sessions), and most seem to agree on oil temp. using Mobil 1 or equal...

no worries up to ~ 275 F/long term

short term up to ~ 300F/ short shift or slow down

Many of us added the Rippie combo heavy duty radiator/oil cooler...

this brought my oil temp's down to a max. of ~ 268 F @ Road Atlanta in July.

This was on an 04 Z06... my 07 has built in coolers... no temp. problems yet.

 

I'm pretty sure you want it to at least hit 200*F to burn off any condensation in your oil. I wouldn't worry about it.

 

My oil temp routinely gets in the 230's idling in traffic....No worries....