Worthwhile Mod...Oil cooler bypass.
01-29-2007 | 05:00 PM
#1
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Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Bullhead City, AZ
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Worthwhile Mod...Oil cooler bypass.
I recently finished a modification that I read about numerous other times on a couple different sites. While I was underneath my car running some lines and what not for the nitrous install, I decided to go ahead and change the oil while I was at it. A popular mod is to totally delete the oil cooler and run a taller filter in its place. I did this and noticed a very dramatic increase in oil pressure. The majority of people that I talked to said that the stock oil cooler does not really help that much and actually restricts oil flow mainly due to build up over time. The only time a oil cooler would be beneficial would be primarily on a road course. In this case a aftermarket radiator type cooler would probably be needed anyways. The purpose of this thread is to highly recommend this mod for any LT1 owners as low oil pressure is very common with these engines. It is very easy to do and will help tremendously. All that is needed is new proper length allen head bolts, washers, red loctite and a "L" shaped hose to go straight from the water pump to the radiator. (Can be bought at a Chevy dealership due to some Camaro's not coming with a oil cooler) I used a K&N Chevy V8 truck filter as it is much longer and holds more oil. Everything fit like a glove. If anyone has any questions, I am sure I can help out.
01-30-2007 | 08:00 PM
#11
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GTcars Regular
Joined: Oct 2004
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Most of the cost involved was money I would have spent anyways on a regular scheduled oil change.
1) 6 Quarts of choice Oil - $12 to $36 (I used Royal Purple)
2) 1 choice Oil Filter - $3 to $10 (I used K&N)
3) 2 Allen Head bolts - $2
4) 2 Lock Washers - $.50 cents
5) 1 Radiator hose section and hose clamps - $5 to $20 (Mine was free due to it being left over from my Goodyear Hi Miller hose kit)
You will also want to get some red loctite, but I think most people have that lying around anyways. If you use the cheaper stuff, you get get away with total cost under $25 including the oil change. Since I used the expensive fluids and filter, my cost was about $50.
1) 6 Quarts of choice Oil - $12 to $36 (I used Royal Purple)
2) 1 choice Oil Filter - $3 to $10 (I used K&N)
3) 2 Allen Head bolts - $2
4) 2 Lock Washers - $.50 cents
5) 1 Radiator hose section and hose clamps - $5 to $20 (Mine was free due to it being left over from my Goodyear Hi Miller hose kit)
You will also want to get some red loctite, but I think most people have that lying around anyways. If you use the cheaper stuff, you get get away with total cost under $25 including the oil change. Since I used the expensive fluids and filter, my cost was about $50.
01-31-2007 | 04:58 PM
#13
Skilled GTcars Poster
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 701
From: Alabama
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lol i know you wont feel power gains.. as do i think most of the rest of the guys.. but mainly just cause its a mod.. and with my high mileage ill take any help i can get towards the engine running better in general
01-31-2007 | 07:05 PM
#14
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Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Grand Ol' WNY
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increased oil pressure is just better on the motor- not necessarily a horsepower gain. You aren't going to gain anything that is close to noticable. Its just a good thing to have increased oil pressure all the way around... too much although and its possible that you can starve the engine of oil, but thats usually only typical with people running an HV pump- you'll be fine with the stock pump and street applications.