Ron Davis Racing radiators

[JMBCTSV]

When thinking about an integrated oil cooler make sure you have enough excess cooling capacity to use the cooled water to cool the oil. If your water temp is marginal to begin with using it to cool the oil may not be the best idea.
Remember it's okay to have 300 degree oil, 300 degree water . . . . not so much.

[C66 Racing]

Originally Posted by JMBCTSV

When thinking about an integrated oil cooler make sure you have enough excess cooling capacity to use the cooled water to cool the oil. If your water temp is marginal to begin with using it to cool the oil may not be the best idea.
Remember it's okay to have 300 degree oil, 300 degree water . . . . not so much.

I disagree with you on the 300 degree oil... keep in mind that at 300F, a typical 5w30 has a viscosity of about 3 cSt. Most 5w30's have a viscosity of about 10-11 cSt at a nominal 212F. So... at 300F, your oil's viscosity is about 30% of nominal. It is for this reason that I run a high performance 10w40 in my 02 Corvette Z06 on the track (where I see oil temps of about 250F with an oil cooler).

On the thread topic, I have a Ron Davis radiator in my 02 Z06 which is the only aftermarket radiator allowed per SCCA T1 rules. Nice unit and helped lower my coolant temps on the track to a constant 200F even in hot weather.

I've read probably hundreds of these posts on the Corvette forum and will say that most guys with dual use cars (track and street) go for the unit that has the oil cooler integrated (I have separate oil cooler per the T1 rules). Based on what I've read, the integrated unit has the capacity to keep the oil temp reasonable (270ish) while maintaining coolant temp below 220F for most guys at most tracks. Most dual use guys get the integrated unit so as to allow the oil to come up to temp in daily driving. With my separate oil cooler, I really can't get my oil over about 150F until I get on the track. For a daily driver, you really don't want to keep your oil that cold and with the integrated unit, oil temp will follow coolant temp which is just about right for a daily driver.

As for fitament, mine was advertised to be a direct fit... and it almost was, but I had to file down the slots in the top radiator shroud a little bit (was very easy) as the Rod Davis unit was much thicker than stock). Despite this, it was still an easy install and one I'd seriously consider if I tracked my CTS-V.

[Naf]

I cant wait to get mine...MMMMMM....It is startin to get hot already, it hit 100 today...

Question though, if i run an oil cooler and give it a cool stream of air will i be runnin into issues? I think my nominal temp will be around 130-160F depending on ambient temp and asphalt temp...Or should i follow the way of CadillacFaq? cover the face of it?

[v-sam]

My Oil Temp on track gets to 310. The highest I have seen is 321 on the 3rd of July on track of course so and oil cooler would be great.

[ctsv154]

Do you have a for sure price yet? I've had my radiator replaced under warranty already and it still leaks. Just having one that will run cooler and have an oil cooler in it would be great. Not to mention one that doesn't leak!

[Lindsay Cadillac Parts]

Originally Posted by ctsv154

Do you have a for sure price yet? I've had my radiator replaced under warranty already and it still leaks. Just having one that will run cooler and have an oil cooler in it would be great. Not to mention one that doesn't leak!

The intergrated oil cooler isnt somthing that we are really talking to RDR about, there would need to be some plumbing issues worked out to get the oil to the radiator. A seperate cooler is definately on my short list as far as having one of my suppliers look into however. PM me for a price on the radiator.

[lunarx]

Originally Posted by ctsv154

Do you have a for sure price yet? I've had my radiator replaced under warranty already and it still leaks. Just having one that will run cooler and have an oil cooler in it would be great. Not to mention one that doesn't leak!

Just curious, can you see where your leak is?
(that leak is so hard to spot)

Nevertheless, the RDR is the final cure for leaking V radiators.

[lunarx]

Got my Ron Davis Radiator from Luke.
1-1/8" thicker than stock, it's a monster.

[shadybx7]

calling it a monster is an understatement.. that thing looks more like a intercooler then a Radiator..

[StealthV]

Good thing I don't have a V anymore or yet another mod would be draining my wallet. That thing is a work of art. Too pretty to be buried under the bonnet.

[Lindsay Cadillac Parts]

Originally Posted by lunarx

Got my Ron Davis Radiator from Luke.
1-1/8" thicker than stock, it's a monster.

thanks for the pics, I have one left on the shelf...........

[Civardi]

Cost?

[Keys8541]

Luke, can you PM me the price, I might just have to pick one up after seeing the picture

[rangerrob]

that thing looks sweet!

[atdeneve]

Yeah, curious as to the cost here, as well. Es purty.