Challenger Oil Cooler Upgrade: Do You Need One?
Track driving and sustained high loads raise oil temps on the HEMI. An oil cooler prevents thermal breakdown — here's what to know.
Stock Oil Cooling on the HEMI
The 5.7L and 6.4L HEMIs use an oil-to-coolant heat exchanger (not a dedicated air-to-oil cooler) mounted near the oil filter. Coolant flowing through the heat exchanger transfers heat from the oil. This system works well for street driving but can fall short under sustained track loads.
The 6.2L Hellcat adds a more substantial oil cooling circuit to handle the higher heat generated under boost.
When Oil Temps Become a Problem
Ideal HEMI operating oil temperature: 180–220°F. On track, sustained oil temps above 240–250°F cause:
- Accelerated oil breakdown (viscosity loss)
- Increased engine wear
- In extreme cases, oil viscosity drops low enough to cause bearing damage
Signs of high oil temps on track:
- Oil pressure dropping noticeably after several laps
- Oil pressure warning light
- Burned oil smell from the engine bay
Aftermarket Oil Cooler Options
Remote-mounted oil cooler kit: The most common upgrade. Includes an oil filter relocation adapter, external cooler (like a Setrab or Earls unit), oil lines, and mounting hardware. Cooler mounts in front of the engine bay for airflow.
Popular kits: Mishimoto, Mocal, Setrab — designed for track use.
Cost: $300–600 for a quality kit. Installation is 2–4 hours.
Thermostat Control
Quality oil cooler kits include a thermostatic sandwich plate that only routes oil through the cooler when oil temps exceed ~180°F. This prevents over-cooling on cold days (cold oil increases viscosity and causes wear too).
Do You Need One?
Street only: No. The stock oil cooling is more than adequate.
Occasional track days (2–3 per year): Monitor temps. If oil temps stay below 240°F, you may be fine with short cooldown laps.
Regular track use (6+ events/year): An oil cooler is a worthwhile investment in engine longevity.
Related Articles
HEMI Tick: What It Is, What Causes It, and How to Prevent It
The HEMI tick is one of the most discussed topics on Challenger forums — and one of the most misunderstood. Here's what it actually means, which type you need to worry about, and exactly how to protect your engine.
Manual vs Automatic: Which Dodge Challenger Should You Buy?
Manual or automatic? It's the most debated question on Challenger forums. Here's an honest, practical breakdown — covering performance, daily driving, mods, and which one is actually right for you.
Track Mode, Sport Mode, and Custom Mode Explained
The 2022 Challenger has multiple drive modes that change how the car behaves — from throttle response to traction control to transmission shifts. Here's what each mode actually does and when to use it.