87oldschool

Hey Guys,

I am an original owner of an 87 IROC, NON-T Top, Dark Red 74U, Saddle Buckets AR9 with all the goodies. IROC PKG3 1SC, Performance package B4Z, Limited Slip G80, Perf. Axle Ratio G92, Pwr Discs all 4's J65, 5.0 TPI LB9, 5-Speed Trans MM5, RadioDelete UL5 and the Engine Oil Cooler KC4. This is my question...how many of your cars have the factory Modine Oil Cooler?
My driver has had the factory 305 (wanted 350 but wanted 5 speed more...) a 355 and finally a serious 388. I am getting ready to do a LS3/T56 conversion without drive by wire.
Has anyone adapted the Factory Oil Cooler KC4 to an LS based engine? I would think the added cooling would be beneficial.
I never hear nor have read anything about these oil coolers. I put over 220,000 mile on mine and it worked great, so simple and well thought out.
Thanks,
87OldSchool

eseibel67

Factory KC4 cooler will not fit on LS engine. Some GM trucks with LS type engines came with factory coolers, and if you must have one that would be the one to adapt. The function of the truck "cooler" was more to get the oil up to temp quickly rather than to actually cool the oil.

This is the KC4 - it's way too big for an LS oil filter:

87oldschool

That's a curious thought since it was sold/advertized as an oil cooler not a pre-heater. If the radiator is designed to take heat out of the engine how will circulating anti-freeze through the filter base warm the oil? The circulating coolant will pull heat out of the oil won't it? I am going to have to really think about this one. Please don't misinterpret my comment I have just never heard of it explained that way.
Anyone else have any thoughts on this topic?

87oldschool

In addition, I know the LS engines use a small base filter but everything is adaptable. It's the concept I am interested in investigating. Thanks for the photo as well. Have you done the LS conversion? Can I assume the Modine piece is off your original engine?
Thanks

eseibel67

Cooler is out of an 88 GTA with the LB9/M5. The LS1 in my 01 Trans Am did not come with an engine oil cooler.

On a cold engine, of course the heads, and thereby the coolant, heats up way before the oil does. The "cooler" helps get the heat into the bottom of the engine more quickly. The advantages are lower emissions and reduced engine wear.

RockinGTA89

well said!

My ol 89 GTA with the 350 has the oiler cooler...and my 1993 S10 with the 4.3L has the oiler cooler as well! Practically the same idenfyable part numbers...just a few digits off...and plus the 350, 305, 4.3L...shares pretty much interchangable parts (not all parts)...

Orr89RocZ

iTrader: (20)

Anyone know if you can still buy replacement cooler lines for these? I got a motor that has one but the lines were cut off to remove from car instead of properly disassembled

mike_c

iTrader: (13)

Hawks sells reproductions in aluminum

http://www.hawksthirdgenparts.com/pr...-Aluminum.html