LS1 operating oil temperature?

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Nov 29, 2006 | 06:48 PM

stealth71

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From: Orlando

LS1 operating oil temperature?

So what is the normal operating oil temperature of the LS1? I have done some searching and haven't really found a good answer. Some say it should be lower than coolant temp, but others say it can reach 280* during agressive driving.

Anyone have a oil temp gauge currently installed?

I am going to order a oil temp gauge and don't know to go for 100-250* or 140-300*. I will be installing it in the oil level switch location in the pan.

Nov 29, 2006 | 08:15 PM

Bob25thTA

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Corvettes have Oil temp guages. Normal Oil temp for street driven Corvettes seem to be in the 200 to 210 range. I track the car occasionally and have seen 290 temps. Have an oil cooler ready for install. One of my winter projects.

Nov 29, 2006 | 10:29 PM

GOaT Cheese

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From: San Diego

Quote:

Originally Posted by stealth71

There is no way the oil temp will be less than engine coolant temp. But to answer your question, oil temps on LT1's are typically around 10-15 deg. hotter than the engine temp.

Nov 30, 2006 | 12:07 AM

Krab

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From: Central Texas

I have an oil temp autometer gauge installed on my car and it's usually at a little over 180 degrees F. It does get up to about 220 or so after a WOT run, but rarely goes over that. I also have a 160 T-stat and my car is programmed to turn the fans on at 180 degrees fwiw.

Nov 30, 2006 | 08:33 AM

Bob25thTA

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Quote:

Originally Posted by GOaT Cheese

There is no way the oil temp will be less than engine coolant temp. But to answer your question, oil temps on LT1's are typically around 10-15 deg. hotter than the engine temp.

Then all LS1 Corvette oil temp guages must be innaccurate because water temps can go to 230 during the summer and the oil temp is still below 210.

Nov 30, 2006 | 10:18 AM

GPM30236

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From: S Metro ATL

Have seen temps of over 316 at VIR in Oct with redline 40wt racing oil , backed off a bit and temps came down , no engine issues have since put over 500 track miles on the car , . Have read on some of the track boards that 340 seems to be the max tolerable.

Nov 30, 2006 | 10:59 PM

GOaT Cheese

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From: San Diego

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob25thTA

Then all LS1 Corvette oil temp guages must be innaccurate because water temps can go to 230 during the summer and the oil temp is still below 210.

B.S. ! The oil is only cooled by the engine, or if it has an oil cooler, the engine coolant. If the engine coolant temp is 195, then the engine oil is at least 195. The engine oil is typically a little hotter than the coolant because the oil comes in direct contact with the pistons and other friction surfaces, the coolant does not. Also the oil is less dense than the coolant, therefore it has less cunductance when it comes to heat transfer. Now if you introduce an aftermarket, external oil cooler, then you could possibly see less oil temp than engine temp, but we're talking factory here right?