During the first half of the 2011 season, I struggled with oil temps in my 2003 Corvette Z06 with temperatures getting as high at 307* during NASA Time Trial races. After having the AC condenser removed, the radiator cleaned and holes cut in the factory fan shroud for more airflow, I was able to manage oil temps to 288* by running 3-4 hard laps in a session and then backing off and short shifting to the end or cutting the session short. In preparation for a move to wheel-to-wheel racing with the car in 2012, I turned to Alvin and the team at PCM of NC over the winter months to develop an engine oil cooler solution for my setup.
The kit Alvin developed is perfect. He created a modular bracket system that will allow for any size oil cooler to mount in front of radiator and A/C condenser. In a direct comparison to another market-available oil cooler kit, the brackets for the PCM of NC kit are MUCH sturdier and were tested to 4G with no failures. This is an important factor when considering the rigors of the environment in which the kit can be used.
For the first outing of 2012, I participated in a NASA Competition School, Time Trials and a Thunder Race all in the same weekend at Carolina Motorsports Park. During Time Trials, the highest engine oil temps were 232* while racing for the win on both Saturday and Sunday. During the Competition School Mock race on Saturday and the Thunder Race on Sunday, the highest temps I saw were 230* during the 40 minute race.
The direct comparisons show a 50-plus degree reduction in engine oil temps. What you cannot see from the numbers is the ability for me to run the car hard for the entire race. No more close monitoring of the oil temps, no more short shifting to let the engine cool, no more worrying. Thank you PCM of NC for the great kit!!!
–Kevin Harvey
NASA PTA/TTA #01
