Are these coolant lines really needed? can i just remove them?

 

camarOrs, are you talking about the 2 coolant tubes that run under the engine from the passenger side to the oil filter?

 

If we are on the same page, yes, you can remove them. I just discovered my `88 Iroc had the factory oil cooler last week when I was replacing the coolant hoses. I bought the car in April of this year and have been unable to get under it to look it over and see what is there. I am going to bypass the factory cooler until I can replace the hoses that attach to it. I`ll use it until the first of the year and then install a fin & plate type oil cooler. The only reason I am a little "edgy" about using the cooler is that it is 20 years old and probably severely corroded inside(the metal tubes are) and I don`t need a breakdown. There is a lot of information about them on this site if you click on "search" at the top of the page and type in "oil cooler".

 

Yes, i am talking about the coolant lines that split off from the passenger side and go under the block to the oil filter adapter...

These are 2 black metal coolant lines, not oil lines....

the main question is that is this really needed? cus i know some camaros dont even have this split off.....

If the lines are removed, what impact should i expect if any? higher/lower oil temps?

 

This was a very strange oil cooler set-up that GM required on certain models, usually `87 and later 350 TPI Iroc/Z28 coupe. The cooler is actually a "heat exchanger", not a traditional oil cooler like we are used to seeing. It won`t hurt to remove it but your oil will run a little hotter. I can`t say how much hotter but I am thinking not much as there are many on this site who have disconnected the cooler without any problems. The original engine in my `88 Iroc had to be replaced by the previous owner with less than 100k miles and he told me the car always ran too hot, so I don`t think these coolers did much cooling at all. I am going to replace my factory cooler with a more traditional cooler after the first of the year. If you decide to remove your cooler and associated parts, save them, someone will want to pay you good money for it. So, go ahead and remove it, you should not have any over-heating problems associated with the cooler. There is an excellent diagram on this site of the factory oil cooler we are talking about.