And if so, what kind did you get and how hard was the installation? Where did you mount the gauge? And what kind of temps do you see in normal driving?

 

I found this on the net oil temp install. I am pretty sure this is from the same guy on this board he has a camaro too.

 

I've got an Autometer UltraLite Oil temp unit. You can use the port above the oil filter like on the previous mentioned web page. I've got mine in the dual pod right above the oil pressure unit.
I generally run about 200-210 degrees on oil temp with the car running in the 190-200 area. I'm sure i'm getting some heat soak from the headers, so i'm relocating it to the oil cooler lines as soon as i get all that finished.
It's worthwhile I believe. I like to be able to monitor everything about the car simply because a spike in oil temp but no lowering of pressure can also means something getting ready to go out before it actually does

-Shannon

 

One of the main reasons I want it is to see when the oil temp gets really high, such as if I'm stuck in traffic for a while, and then I will make sure not to drive it hard until the oil temperature has come down. If the oil temp is above 230 or so, it'll be considerably thinner, and won't protect as well as when it's closer to 200. Plus I can make sure not to drive it too hard when the oil is cold also. I'd also like to see where the oil temps are when I'm at the dragstrip, such as when the car has sat in the pits for an hour or so between runs and has cooled off.

 

I have one too. An AutoMeter Sport-Comp electric version. It was only $40, a great deal. It reads from 100-250*F.

I do have a 160* t-stat and reprogrammed fans, so the highest I've seen my oil go is about 210-215*. This was in 90*+ weather, with my coolant temp around 200-205*, in stop and go traffic. It's normal operating temp is around 195*.

I don't think you'll see 230*+ unless you are road-racing (why I got mine), or if your fans aren't reprogrammed and you have no oil cooler (I have the stock one).

I also used the oil plug above the filter where the '93 oil psi sender went. You'll need a 1/4-1/8" NPT adapter to fit the 1/8" NPT sender in there.

My gauge is mounted in a 3-pod pillar (hacked up to fit my '95) along with n2o and fuel psi.

 

there is a temp sensor somewhere for the oil b/c you can read the oil temp using TTS Datamaster. so if you could tap into that (where ever it is) youd be able to use a digital display.

 

Brad, those tables in the PCM are actually a hold-over from the Vettes. F-Bodies don't have the sensor.

I am told that the Vette sensors have a dual-output, one for the PCM input and one for a gauge. So, if that second output happens to be the same voltage-scale as the AutoMeters, one could use the Vette sender and get 2-in-1; have a working gauge and be able to control your fans based on oil temp too!

 

There is no oil temp sensor on an F-Body LT1, and no connection for input on the F-Body PCM, so you can't read it with DataMaster (other than getting the -40degF default value). Remember, DataMaster is not F-Body specific... it will work on the Corvette, which does have an oil temp sensor connected to the PCM.

I put the oil temp sensor in the oil drain plug on the pan. Drilled/tapped a hole in the plug. Put a connector on the sensor wire so I could disconnect the wire to pull the oil drain. I already have the S/S line for my mechanical oil pressure gauge in the port above the oil filter.

I find oil temp seems to track coolant temp fairly closely. I still have the factory cooler on my 381, and the engine generally runs at 195degF coolant, because thats where we made the best power on the dyno. Oil temp might rise 5 - 10degF above that. Even after a hard nitrous pass, I don't think I have seen 230degF oil temps, although that is not something I remember to check all the time.

Sensor in drain plug

 

thanks for clearing that up for me! i rarely ever use datamaster so i never paid close attention to the value.. just the fact it was present

 

That's my situation exactly, my car is bone stock (so the coolant temps get very high when in traffic) and it didn't come with the oil cooler (even though it was supposed to since I've got 3.23s) I'd be willing to bet I see 230-240F oil temps very easily on a hot day when creeping along in traffic, since my coolant temps are definitely getting that hot (the second fan doesn't come on until 227F right?)