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.
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