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Oil coolers. by LS4FieroGuy
Started on: 04-07-2025 03:37 PM
Replies: 12 (228 views)
Last post by: La fiera on 04-11-2025 09:41 PM
LS4FieroGuy
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Report this Post04-07-2025 03:37 PM Click Here to See the Profile for LS4FieroGuySend a Private Message to LS4FieroGuyEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
Anyone running an oil cooler? I'm currently doing a complete rebuild of my Duke and I kinda wanna install an oil cooler to avoid excessive heat.

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Patrick
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Report this Post04-07-2025 06:18 PM Click Here to See the Profile for PatrickSend a Private Message to PatrickEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post

For a duke? IMO, complete overkill.
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richard in nc
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Report this Post04-07-2025 07:08 PM Click Here to See the Profile for richard in ncSend a Private Message to richard in ncEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
champion radiator instead.
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Brian A
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Report this Post04-07-2025 10:18 PM Click Here to See the Profile for Brian ASend a Private Message to Brian AEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
 
quote
Originally posted by LS4FieroGuy:

Anyone running an oil cooler? I'm currently doing a complete rebuild of my Duke and I kinda wanna install an oil cooler to avoid excessive heat.

Unless an engine is designed to use oil as a coolant (e.g. old Porsche), adding an oil cooler is not much use.

Some old sports cars had oil coolers to keep the oil below its maximum temperature threshold (e.g. Ferrari 308). Modern oils are a much more tolerant of heat than the old oils. If Pontiac didn't think the car needed an oil cooler back in the day, it is certainly not needed now.
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Patrick
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Report this Post04-07-2025 10:49 PM Click Here to See the Profile for PatrickSend a Private Message to PatrickEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
.
Depending on the type of driving one does, often an oil cooler is the last thing an engine needs. Engine oil lubricates best when it's reached engine operating temperature. Unless your car has an oil temperature gauge, you're probably unaware that it takes the crankcase oil a heck of a lot longer to warm up than the coolant.

My turbo Subaru STi has a factory oil "cooler", but it's probably better described as an oil temperature moderator. Using a line from the coolant system, this device warms up the crankcase oil when the oil's cold, and then keeps it at the engine's operating temperature (as determined by the coolant system's thermostat).

[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 04-08-2025).]

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LS4FieroGuy
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Report this Post04-08-2025 01:10 AM Click Here to See the Profile for LS4FieroGuySend a Private Message to LS4FieroGuyEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
Ok, I really appreciate the feedback guys!
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Dennis LaGrua
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Report this Post04-08-2025 03:16 AM Click Here to See the Profile for Dennis LaGruaSend a Private Message to Dennis LaGruaEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
On a 4.9L swap that we did we did run an oil cooler only because the engine was built to run with one and we just used existing connections.. Its probably not needed as I see that option mainly for a vehicle used for towing or racing.

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Frenchrafe
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Report this Post04-08-2025 07:34 AM Click Here to See the Profile for FrenchrafeSend a Private Message to FrenchrafeEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
My 3800 turbo has an oil cooler.
The oil filter/pressure relief block, with the flexible pipes fittings for the cooler, came from a 3800 fitted in europeen spec Pontiac Trans Sports. Pontiac thought that the europeans would push the car engine harder, so they fitted it.
I race the car, so I think it needs it too.

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"Turbo Slug" - '87 Fiero GT. 3800 turbo. - The fastest Fiero in France! @turboslugfiero
https://youtu.be/hUzOAeyWLfM

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olejoedad
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Report this Post04-08-2025 10:23 AM Click Here to See the Profile for olejoedadSend a Private Message to olejoedadEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
 
quote
Originally posted by Dennis LaGrua:

On a 4.9L swap that we did we did run an oil cooler only because the engine was built to run with one and we just used existing connections.. Its probably not needed as I see that option mainly for a vehicle used for towing or racing.



I left the oil cooler off of my 4.9 swap and modified the oil filter housing per the instructions on Mickey Moose's
excellent 4.9 thread.
That was 100,000 miles ago....
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Patrick
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Report this Post04-08-2025 03:00 PM Click Here to See the Profile for PatrickSend a Private Message to PatrickEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
 
quote
Originally posted by Frenchrafe:

My 3800 turbo has an oil cooler... I race the car, so I think it needs it too.


And therein lies the difference in need between your car and the OP's...(although I wonder if an oil cooler is even really necessary IF a car's used strictly for drag racing).

 
quote
Originally posted by Patrick:

Depending on the type of driving one does...

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La fiera
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Report this Post04-08-2025 09:07 PM Click Here to See the Profile for La fieraSend a Private Message to La fieraEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
Another way to increase oil cooling is to increase the oil capacity of the sump. If I remember correctly Frenchrafe did so when he had to re fabricate his oil pan for extra baffling and he ended up making the pan deeper. I don't recall the amount of extra oil he ended up with?!
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Frenchrafe
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Report this Post04-09-2025 11:39 AM Click Here to See the Profile for FrenchrafeSend a Private Message to FrenchrafeEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
 
quote
Originally posted by La fiera:

Another way to increase oil cooling is to increase the oil capacity of the sump. If I remember correctly Frenchrafe did so when he had to re fabricate his oil pan for extra baffling and he ended up making the pan deeper. I don't recall the amount of extra oil he ended up with?!


Hi Rei.
Nearly two litres more oil than before!

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"Turbo Slug" - '87 Fiero GT. 3800 turbo. - The fastest Fiero in France! @turboslugfiero
https://youtu.be/hUzOAeyWLfM

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La fiera
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Report this Post04-11-2025 09:41 PM Click Here to See the Profile for La fieraSend a Private Message to La fieraEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post


I increased mined by 10 quarts, 14 all together and a massive oil cooler both externally.
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