Second Gen Camaro overheating issues
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Teching In
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Second Gen Camaro overheating issues I have a 79 Camaro with a 2007 5.3 in it. I've been having some overheating issues and am wondering what other people use for LS swap radiators? I've already upgraded the fans to Spal, installed a 180° thermostat, and added a couple of holes in the shroud with rubber flaps. Idling and around town it stay around 190, but on the expressway it pushes 230° and I'm hoping a better radiator will help. Any suggestions?
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From: Central Cal.
How big is the radiator, which size fans, and have you thoroughly burped all air from the engine?
The 180 thermostat isn't much different than the stock 187 unit, and it is notthe issue going down the highway.
The 180 thermostat isn't much different than the stock 187 unit, and it is notthe issue going down the highway.
Launching!
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Can you physically see the radiator flowing inside when the thermostat opens? Im running a cheap stock size, aluminum radiator and i daily drive my swap everyday here in the Tx 100+ and it runs no higher than 190 just sitting at a stop light or something for a decent period of time. Maybe thermostat?
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Teching In
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I can see water movement but it doesn't seem like much. I had this problem with the stock thermostat so when I replaced it I put in water on the stove first and checked it with a meat thermometer. The only reason I was thinking radiator is because it's just a cheap ebay one. The new fans have helped greatly but I'd like to get the temps down more. I feel like if I did a long expressway run with the A/C on high it would climb even higher
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I had the same problem. It was due to using the wrong thermostat for the housing I had. See post number 224 in my build thread.
Turbo C3 Build link
Turbo C3 Build link
Thread Starter
Teching In
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When I installed the thermostat I did notice I had to push in on it to collapse the spring but if I'm reading your post correctly that will only affect warm up and not cooling after warm up, correct?
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I can see water movement but it doesn't seem like much. I had this problem with the stock thermostat so when I replaced it I put in water on the stove first and checked it with a meat thermometer. The only reason I was thinking radiator is because it's just a cheap ebay one. The new fans have helped greatly but I'd like to get the temps down more. I feel like if I did a long expressway run with the A/C on high it would climb even higher
Also, maybe check the radiator cap? Thats a very over looked part of the coolant system.
Thread Starter
Teching In
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Will compressing that spring when installing the thermostat affect the other spring opening all the way? I did put a new radiator cap on, I forgot to mention that. So that's two thermostats and two radiator caps with no change.
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If I’m understanding you correctly. I would assume so. But I’m not sure. You typically don’t want things to compress when installing unless it is a spring IE valve/spring.
sounds like the proper thermostat and housing with a good burping of the system should be what you want.
sounds like the proper thermostat and housing with a good burping of the system should be what you want.
Thread Starter
Teching In
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I went back through all my notes and found I had put a water pump on from a 2000 Camaro so I went ahead and ordered the proper thermostat, it appears to be the one that's integrated into the water neck. I will update when I get it installed. Thanks for all the replies so far.
Teching In
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From: Florida
It just sounds to me like a bad radiator, its a very clear sign based on the fact that it only overheats on the highway and no-where else. You could trying flushing the radiator and restoring some surface area. I've had success with taking temperataure readings in a grid pattern on the radiator at operating temperature to see if there are any cold spots that indicate poor performace. To be honest, I think any parts store radiator would be fine in your case, the extra cooling capacity offered by the expensive aftermarket doesn't seem needed. It could also be thermostat related, and a possible quick and easy fix.
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I installed the proper thermostat today and went on a 40 mile drive. I borrowed a buddies Snap on scanner so I could get real temps. It climbed to 135° before I pulled over. The fans cooled it down a bit and then for the hell of it I kicked off the circuit breaker to one of the fans. I ran 128° on the way back home. Are the fans blocking air going down the expressway? I'm considering dumping the three core radiator for a coldcase dual core with 1.25 cores. Anyone know anything about them? I'm also thinking about removing one fan completely tomorrow and taking another ride, pro's/con's? I like the idea of checking for hot spots with a heat gun, I'll give that a try also. Thanks again for everyone's input.
