97V8Bird

I know there have been prior threads on this, but no very specific info. I have a 97 LT1 Formula. I have been concerned about the running temperature for years now, but wanted to get others input. I live in upsate NY and only drive my car in the summer, so air temps range from 50-90 here, with normal around 75. On a normal day, once the car has warmed up, here's what I see:

Driving Constantly at 55-60mph: 195 deg
Driving Constantly at 30-35mph: 220 deg
Sitting in traffic: 230deg

On a hot day, these will be slightly higher. And also, after shutting the car off for a few minutes and turning the ignition back on before starting, the temp is up in the Red.

Just curious if these are consistant with others' experiences? Thanks for anyone who can find out.

RamAir95TA

iTrader: (2)

Assuming your cooling system is stock, then those numbers are perfectly normal.

With several cooling system modifications though my temps never get above 195ish, even with the high-compression 383.

ahritchie

iTrader: (1)

Get a 160 stat and your fans tuned....my car runs a steady 170 as long as I'm going 45MPH+ even in the hot *** summers here in NC. Even if stuck in traffic on a 95 degree afternoon only creeps up to 200 because the fans come on sooner now. Stock tuning and thermostat would have it going to 210-215.

jlpz

iTrader: (8)

Mine where about the same, I changed to a 160 T-stat and SLP fan switch..now the car stays consistant at 170...driving..

great421

iTrader: (1)

2x vote here - 160 Thermostat and a Tune from PCM4Less lowered mine to that range as well (I'm even in NC too!) - however, after I flushed my system then switched from Dexcool Long Life coolant to "standard" / green coolant, my coolant temps now NEVER exceed 175.

I was told by a guy who owns a radiator repair shop (a ASE certifed Master Mechanic too!) that the standard / green coolant has a greater coefficient of thermal conductivity, therefore using it increases the overall efficiency of your cooling system (vs. Dexcool).

wrd1972

iTrader: (12)

192-196 100% of the time. Tune has been tweaked and I have a 160 stat.

VinR1

iTrader: (17)

fans on full time, 160deg t-stat, and orange coolant - temps rarely go above 180deg in the 100deg+ TX heat in stop-and-go traffic

I saw ~195-ish one day and come to find out my radiator had leaked over a gallon of coolant out

either my car runs cool or my gauge is wrong... I will say the car seemed to run better with half the coolant missing

97V8Bird

Thanks for the thoughts. I was planning on getting it tuned, I'll have them set the fans too. What's a good kick in temp with a 160 thermostat? 200 or so? I'd rather not keep it on or install a switch.

RamAir95TA

iTrader: (2)

I have mine set to come on around 170-degrees. If you live in a climate where it can get pretty cold and like to keep your heat toasty I'd request for it to be set around 200ish.

defaultexistence

iTrader: (11)

No t-stat, Florida, hotter than hell, fans tuned to lower settings, runs 180 all day stop or go. 169-170 on cool nights

Badazz 97 TA

iTrader: (18)

160 tstat and fans set to come on at 208. On the highway it runs around 175 and sitting in traffic like 210.

I would have the fans kick in anything over 200. Otherwise there gonna run all the time which you don't need in NY. These cars run hot, its not a bad thing.

ALH442

160 t stat,fans on with switch,never gets above 200 eaven at the track hot laping

trilkb

iTrader: (4)

yea like everyone has said thats normal for a stock car.

If you go with pcmforless they have Tables that they use to set the turn on temps depending on your t-stat. Can also adjust your timing to make use of the cooler running engine.