[A26B]

Originally Posted by 8upZR1

Hello everyone,
I was wondering about the oil cooler on our cars.

It looks relatively large but how good is it??

I think the ZR-1 cooler is as good as any other.

Is the pressure drop large?

Never measured it but seems very un-restricted when I "tried" to blow the oil out with air once. Design & tube size indicates negligable pressure drop to me.

Also does it clean/flush nicely?

Not particularly, because it's not a single tube. There are several large (0.5" i.d.?) tubes with a tube plate on each end, much like a radiator. Good from the standpoint if 1 tube plugs, the rest are open. Makes it difficult to flush & insure all tubes are open, but I can't imagine what would plug a tube. I don't even try to get the old oil out when changing anymore.

My ZR1 is a 1990 and I am about to fire a new motor so I dont want any issues from the original oil cooler. Are replacements available??

No direct aftermarket replacement to my knowledge, but have never looked for one.

I dont think there is that much trash/gunk is mine but Id like to be safe.

Considering the design, I would recommend removing the cooler & drain the oil by tipping the inlet/outlet to the lowest point. Then rinse with solvent by shaking the cooler with it oriented horizontal to slosh solvent from one side to the other through the tubes, repeating until clean. Then drain thoroughly, put new oil in the cooler & slosh like before, then drain again.

Obviously I don't have any aftermarket knowledge, but unless your oil cooler is damaged, I doubt the lines will be plugged, but may have some gunk similar to the engine, if any.