Getting very conflicting information on this oil cooler. I have a 1995 silver oil cooler BTW.

Why do some people chuck these, is keeping the oil cooler a bad thing?
Is there something better?

 

People usually chuck them because they are prone to clogging and causing issues with oil pressure.

 

Chuck it and go full synthetic.

 

Chuck it.

 

If you haven't read this thread, it's informative: http://web.camaross.com/forums/showt...ght=oil+cooler

 

Good read.
Thanks

 

All I know is, my engine went to hell after a cam install with only 7K on the motor and although no one could/would explain why, I did see that the oil cooler ----which was an option on my 97SS was full of metal shavings.

So the question might be, did the bearings spin because of the cam install, or did the cooler clog with some shavings and starve the bearings resulting in ruining the engine?

Also, is the cooler the type that one would need to clean when changing the oil or one where the oil itself is not affected by impurities and debris?

When I had my engine replaced with the 4-bolt replacement short block, I did not have an oil cooler installed. JMHO

 

I disagree. Don't chuck it, Ebay it. Some fool paid $125 for mine.

Added bonus, my oil pressure is now 5-10 PSI higher.

 

I replaced (slp?) with a trans-adapt conversion and Summit air to air unit. Picked up some pressure on the gage. Also, the car runs cooler temp with 160 deg stat.

 

I don't know what that is, but if the oil must travel through the cooler like a filter, rather than just having the oil conduit cooled from the exterior by coolant or air or something like that, you better make sure that the cooler is cleaned every time you change your oil and filter, otherwise the cooler might fill up with crap. Just a thought---don't know whether there should be any concern or not.JMHO

 

I took my oil cooler apart and found tthe radiator thing inside. It had lots of carbon chunks and some bering material too.

I can also see why this thing would lower oil pressure a bit.
It aint going back in period.

 

Another vote to chuck it here. Found scarey amounts of material caught in the fins. Was rewarded with higher oil pressure after removing it.

 

I noticed a good 5-10 psi increase in oil pressure after removing mine. Another vote to Chuck It or Ebay it.

 

One vote to keep it. Mine had no debris or gunk at over 80K miles, but inspecting it at oil changes is a great suggestion anyway and not very hard. I like the fact that it helps get the oil up to temperature faster in cool weather. If bearing chunks clogging the cooler are a concern, well, the trouble already started before that happens, so it is not the cause. Circular logic.

 

The abundance of debris in mine was carbon chunks and lots of them, so I guess the question is does the cooler receive oil pre or post oil filter?

I cant imagine these chunks making it past the filter, therefore oil flow does become more restricted.