check the MFG operating temps for the oil you plan to use.

I'd advise to add an oil temp sender & gauge to monitor temperatures.

The engine will make a tiny bit more power by pumping a less viscous oil
via the mechanically driven pump. Oil will also drag less when it's in the
optimal range.

I personally wouldn't add a cooler unless things are running steady hot on
average. There's also less chance of leak with fewer connections.

 

I was told by an engineer that unless tracking the greatest thing to effect engine oil temp is engine coolant temp. I have found this to be correct, with oil temp usually 20 deg. higher than coolant.

 

OK then. I think I'll start simple without one, run Mobile 1 and get a temperature gauge and see what happens. It's easy enough to add later anyway.

Unless anyone has a strong argument or advise from experience.....

Thanks

 

I just wanted to bring this thread back to life and to ask what your experiences in this case were. With my LS-7 I am contemplating whether to install an engine oil cooler or not. I have not tracked my GTM yet, though my engine oil temps are always near the 250F range. How did it go with your setup?

thanks..........Eugen

 

Eugene,

I ended up moving and took a break. I'm back up now and working on the car. I'll likely add a oil cooler blockoff plate (More in a minute) with threads for a temp sensor.

After the first start I had low oil pressure. I've been researching and everything I found did not mention anything about this plate and how important it is when you drop the LS7 in a GTM. After troubleshooting the oil pressure issue (25 PSI at idle with no increase at higher RPM) I nearly gave up and was halfway through pulling the engine. (Easy now compared to later). Anyway, I learned about the little O-rings in the new lefter valley cover I bought from SMC and was wondering if may one fell out or was missing. I had already considered everything else. Anyway, the part was new, just machined for the rear pressure pickup so it had all the O-rings in from the manufacturer/SMC. I decided to call them and as we were discussing things I mentioned the blockoff plate. The guy asked.."what blockoff plate?" I told him that I bought one and that it was a flat plate with two screws. He me to describe it to be sure. It turns out the blockoff plate was not ported between the incoming and outgoing oil. These two openings apparently must be common or open to one-another. With all the GTM mods, a Peterson tank and different PCV arrangement, I couldn't find anything that discussed this. Anyway, I was down to getting the engine hoist ready and decided to make a last ditch troubleshooting effort (today) through the entire system and then made some calls. We stumbled across the answer by accident. I was pretty concerned and I've known about this for 8 months or more. Moving made it impossible to deal with. Finally I got the new garage done and the guts to start pulling the engine out. Luckily, I had only disconnected externals and was just about to get into the harder stuff. Still, I removed headers, harness, fuel water, oil, belts and was about to begin removing the Mendeola before, finally, the engine. I should have it up and running again in a day or two. When it did run, there were no issues with anything. Just low pressure but no bad sounds or ticking. I even looked at the oil with a magnifying glass under light with a black background. It was spotless.

So....just make sure you have a ported (Inlet and Outlet open to each-other) either through a blockoff plate or via an oil cooler.

As far as temps go, I've heard a cooler is likely not needed for the street but if you're racing or going to the track, it probably wouldn't hurt. I still plan to measure temps and I'll add a cooler if needed. Better to see how things go and I've still got a few places I can mount one.

I had planned to come on tonight to provide some follow up. I'll just cut and paste this in the other thread.

John

Good luck

 

John,
thanks for the update! In my application I used a ported version for the block off plate. I drilled/tapped the oil pressure sensor into this plate as well. I will install a adapter plate with integrated thermostat and D-10 oil lines to a cooler placed into the side intakes to keep the temperatures a little lower.

Good luck with your project!


Eugen