LS1 Racing

iTrader: (15)

Just picked up a 2002 Z28 with 150,000 miles on the clock. It's in great condition, but I did notice that the temp gauge seems to move a bit more than the previous LS1 cars I had (a 1999 SS and a 2000 Z28). It runs with the needle on halfway or just a tick past once warmed up.

So, I got out my ancient Autotap and logged some data. Looks like it runs about 198 most of the time, but will climb as high 225 on very steep hills (think canyon roads), before quickly going back down as soon you can get it rolling free without pushing hard in the throttle.

Is this the normal temperature range or should I be looking at the radiator?

The original owner from whom I bought the car said he put a 160 t-stat in it, but I find that hard to believe with these temps.

Any opinions?

ItzFox69

Did you check the plastic shroud underneath the motor that guides the air up and into the radiator? I got my car off a guy from PA and he had the bumper repainted because of all the road chips you get up there and when they put everything back together they never got that air guide shroud back on 100% correctly so it wouldn't flow all the air up and into the rad. properly. Once I fixed it the car never missed a beat.... not that it really did in the first place but it was just oh so slightly noticeable.

LS1 Racing

iTrader: (15)

Thanks...I'll give that a look. Also will be checking my condenser, which may have a lot of gunk!

01ssreda4

iTrader: (96)

190-200 is bare minimum temperature with factory equipment, even with a 160 thermostat. Spiking to 230 under load doesn't seem odd either, but I would verify everything is in working order. 230 is not overheating for these cars.

senicalj4579

iTrader: (41)

Normal is a wide range really. 190-230s.
From what I have gathered keeping your ls1 around 190-200 is where you want it.

LS1 Racing

iTrader: (15)

I'll still check all of the possibilities, but I feel better knowing that I'm "in the ball park".

LS1121

iTrader: (17)

my gauge in the dash has always read about 185, but that's the factory gauge.

LS1 Racing

iTrader: (15)

So, I get under the front of the car to look debris blocking the radiator and condenser. I don't find any, but I did find a Fast Toys Ram Air system!!!

This explains the warmer temps, as the scoop blocks off a nice portion of radiator!

roninsonic

iTrader: (3)

mine likes to sit around 192 or so

ItzFox69

THERE YA GO haha

WS6_Veteran

iTrader: (6)

Gah, if that was me I would do something about relocating it or I would rip it out. Im not a fond one of having anything near my radiator, after I had an overheating problem racing a honda in my V6 (and yes i reeled him in repeatedly to make him feel special and to think my v6 only had about ~230 horses lol). Immediately I parked the car and looked under it and noticed that I had a food lion bag covering up half my radiator, so now I have this habit everytime I come near any light weight road debris like a piece of paper or a paper bag I make sure i see it in my rearview mirror... otherwise under the car I go lol.

38DD2436

Have your fans tuned to come on at a lower temp

LS1 Racing

iTrader: (15)

I'll definitely be doing this when I get tuned in a few weeks!

darkvader0

I do the same thing now too after the same thing happened to me (minus the racing the Honda part lol).