LT1 Oil Cooler Delete Question
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 103
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LT1 Oil Cooler Delete Question If the LT1 in some cases came with an Oil Cooler, why does it seem so many people delete them? Also, what are the advantages and disadvantages to having the earlier LT1 oil cooler as apposed to the later LT1 oil cooler.
Thanks,
Brandon
Thanks,
Brandon
Some have shown to have oil pressure increse slightly after removing the oil cooler. Most just delete it to remove clutter. I don't think you will see any significant differences with or without one. My '97 came with one stock. When my new engine went in, I just left it out.
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Lansing, MI via Bowling Green, KY, Dalton GA, Nashville, TN & Atlanta, GA
I removed mine because it wouldn't fit with my headers. When I started my car after it had sat for several years, my oil pressure was pretty normal for a couple of minutes and then dropped to about 20 and would just stay there. After removing the cooler, and changing the filter, the pressure was back to normal. I either had an issue with the cooler, or filter, plugging, and possibly a little of both. My car sat for 6-7 years. I changed the oil & filter before starting it, but I feel like there was probably some gunk that circulated through the system when I first restarted my car.
The early design, 93 to early 95, black cooler, was designed and manufactured by Moroso for GM. It is a low-restriction, high-flow design, that is damn near impossible to clog, with plenty of oil cooling/heating ability.
The newer 95-97 all-aluminum design is HIGHLY restrictive and is VERY prone to clogging due to a single-path design with very small fins.
I made a huge post some time ago on CZ28.com in regards to the oil coolers. They are used as both an oil heater in cold weather as well as a cooler when the oil gets hot.
To sum it up, GM decided to do without the cooler once they started recommending Mobil 1 Synthetic due to it's ability to withstand higher temps without breaking down.
Moral of the story, run synthetic and forget the oil cooler. If you are making a road-race vehicle that will see constantly high-rpms with good airflow through the radiator (ie, driving at speed), you would do well by going with the 93-early 95 Moroso cooler as a cheap oil cooler solution. The best performing solution would be to go with a dedicated stand-alone oil cooler with a termostatically controlled bypass valve so that the oil does not get over-cooled.
The newer 95-97 all-aluminum design is HIGHLY restrictive and is VERY prone to clogging due to a single-path design with very small fins.
I made a huge post some time ago on CZ28.com in regards to the oil coolers. They are used as both an oil heater in cold weather as well as a cooler when the oil gets hot.
To sum it up, GM decided to do without the cooler once they started recommending Mobil 1 Synthetic due to it's ability to withstand higher temps without breaking down.
Moral of the story, run synthetic and forget the oil cooler. If you are making a road-race vehicle that will see constantly high-rpms with good airflow through the radiator (ie, driving at speed), you would do well by going with the 93-early 95 Moroso cooler as a cheap oil cooler solution. The best performing solution would be to go with a dedicated stand-alone oil cooler with a termostatically controlled bypass valve so that the oil does not get over-cooled.
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On The Tree
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
Wow! Thanks for the feedback. Lots of information in just 12 hours. Does anyone know if the 93-95 cooler will work with pace setter long tubes? Will it fit? Also I have a canton extended volume oil pan. Does anyone know of any issues with it fitting around the oversized pan?
Thanks,
Brandon
Thanks,
Brandon
Wow! Thanks for the feedback. Lots of information in just 12 hours. Does anyone know if the 93-95 cooler will work with pace setter long tubes? Will it fit? Also I have a canton extended volume oil pan. Does anyone know of any issues with it fitting around the oversized pan?
Thanks,
Brandon
Thanks,
Brandon
