2001z

iTrader: (32)

i know this isnt the right section for this post but im just looking for a simple answer . i just put in a 160 thermostat i purchased from a guy on ls1 tech i put it in followed directions and took my predator and turned fans on earlier and it is only getting 10 to 15 degrees cooler than my factory 210. anything i can do .

ArcticZ28

iTrader: (14)

Are you monitoring the temps by the dummy gauge in the car?

Crazy Man

iTrader: (6)

HMMM maybe he sold you a 180?

2001z

iTrader: (32)

i just found out every ls1 but 98 year has a crappy dummy guage in the car. i was getting pissed was gonna start throwing stuff at it then i cooled down, and read some stuff on the net. i was used to my 98 when i changed to 160 on that car it read correct it went to like 180 and sat there . but ohh well long as the car is running colder im happy . the only thing that guage is good for now is if i ever overheat.


by the way i have my fan1 to come on at 163 and off at 160 and fan2 on 166 off at 161 does that sound ok or maybe i should go a little higher.

hey crazy man my name is tim to what a small world lol

RevGTO

iTrader: (12)

You have it set so that the fans are coming on as soon as the thermostat starts to open. What benefit is there to that? You're not even letting the car get to normal operating temp. Not to mention that your fans will be running all the time.

2001z

iTrader: (32)

thats why i am asking normal operating temp wont be 210 rev becouse i have a 160 now it should go as high as 180 and stop . im just wondering if i should set them up at 170 or so .

RevGTO

iTrader: (12)

I'm not one of those who subscribes to the theory that the colder you can run your engine, the better. My general estimate - and others may want to modify these numbers - is that good "normal operating temp" for an LS1 is about 185-215. Try this link and scroll down to the bottom of the page for some interesting discussion http://www.vincihighperformance.com/...20PAGE%20.HTML .

Z28_1998

Of course the cooler your engine runs, the better. I mean, I'm sure there is a limit, but it is well below 160 degrees. The cooler your engine runs, the better the combustion is (= more hp) and the longer the life of your engine. I have a 160 degree Hypertech thermostat in my 98 ls1, and a superchips programmer to program my fans to come on at 160 degrees. Yes my fans run near constantly, but so what, they are electric and don't consume horsepower when they are running. My engine runs all the time between 160 and 170 degrees, even when it is 100 degrees outside. It is quite possible that you have a 180 degree thermostat if you are not getting any cooler than you are.
Hope it helps,
Jeff

RevGTO

iTrader: (12)

Well, obviously, I don't think this is right. The cooler your engine runs, the RICHER it will run, and running rich all the time will not benefit engine life. Yes, within certain parameters, running a little richer will give some performance benefit. But that has to be evaluated from the perspective of one's total operation of the car (i.e., is it used mostly for driving around town, or a strictly strip car, or what?). The electric fan motors were not designed by the factory to run all the time. Doing so will shorten their service life. But maybe that's not a big deal. Anyway, there's more to the equation than just a few hp.

2xLS1

iTrader: (25)

Whether you coolant temp is 180* or 210*, the PCM is going to try and keep the a/f at 14.7:1 in closed loop and it is going to use the PE table when WOT, so how is it going to run richer with a lower coolant temp? I think GM uses the higher temp t-stats and fan temps for emission purposes.
I don't think I've ever seen less than 178* running temps logging with 160* t-stat equipped cars. I think they are good to use and have them in both of my cars. I use these fan settings for 160* t-stats.
Fan1 - on/off - 184/175
Fan2 - on/off - 194/185

RevGTO

iTrader: (12)

I'm not disputing using a 160* stat. Your settings seem reasonable. My comments were directed to his having the fan settings basically at thermostat temp, and then to the notion that "the cooler the better," as if running your car at 140 would be desirable. Doesn't the PCM command enrichment of the mixture up to "operating temp" - whatever that is? There is more involved than just emissions - fuel economy, oil life, the thermal efficiency of aluminum, etc. - all these factor in.

Gman2002Z06

I've had them all...Factory thermostat ran right at 192 degrees...180 degree thermostat run at 187 degrees...160 degree thermostat holds at 174 degrees...

With the 160 degree thermostat, I have my fan 1 to come on at 186 and off at 180, fan 2 set to come on 188 and off at 180...

Peace...Gman

Crazy Man

iTrader: (6)

hey crazy man my name is tim to what a small world lol [/QUOTE]

LOL I seen another Tim on the club member list and wondered who it was lol Nice to meet ya

PREDATOR-Z

160 stat does not mean 160 engine temps.
It only means that the thermo will open coolant flow at 160, that is all.
I agree with the above statement that LSx motors should run between 180>210 as that is their efficiency running temps.
The comment about running rich is also true.

strokedls1

iTrader: (1)

I use almost the same number as 2xls1 when I program a car for a 160 stat. Running temp is usually 178-180 cruising.

2xLS1

iTrader: (25)

Explain how.

PREDATOR-Z

Thermal combustion efficiency
In Lehman terms, your motor will run mostly in closed loop due to the pcm not reading proper efficient temps. (Kinda like a choke mode), that will make it run rich.

The other reason not to run too cold of a motor on the street is that your oil becomes contaminated with H2O particles from the ambient air/dew/humidity.
It needs to reach water boiling temps for it to evaporate and allow the oil to operate at full viscosity capabilities.