Generation III External Engine LS1 | LS6 | Bolt-Ons | Intakes | Exhaust | Ignition | Accessories
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Best coolant

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 7, 2007 | 03:07 PM
  #1  
Detoxx03's Avatar
Thread Starter
10 Second Club
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 7,336
Likes: 74
From: Woodward Avenue
Default Best coolant

What is the best coolant to put in a 2002 trans am?
Reply
Old Feb 7, 2007 | 08:07 PM
  #2  
sk8co's Avatar
Staging Lane
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
Default

dude its coolant.....
Reply
Old Feb 7, 2007 | 08:16 PM
  #3  
FU_I_AM_UltraZ's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
Veteran: Marine Corps
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
iTrader: (20)
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,160
Likes: 30
From: New Port Richey, FL
Default

Originally Posted by sk8co
dude its coolant.....
dex... the green stuff will eventually eat away at the aluminum. that's why they GM switched over.
Reply
Old Feb 7, 2007 | 08:35 PM
  #4  
Detoxx03's Avatar
Thread Starter
10 Second Club
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 7,336
Likes: 74
From: Woodward Avenue
Default

thanks
Reply
Old Feb 7, 2007 | 09:03 PM
  #5  
Flawless02SS's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,827
Likes: 14
From: Canon, GA
Default

I'd stay with Dex
Reply
Old Feb 7, 2007 | 09:08 PM
  #6  
Turbo LS1 SS's Avatar
10 Second Club
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,159
Likes: 0
From: Buffalo
Default

never really thought much into the coolent itself, but a nice little trick is to add a tablespoon of DAWN dish soap to it. works as a nice wetter. seriously
Reply
Old Feb 7, 2007 | 09:16 PM
  #7  
dlandsvZ28's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
20 Year Member
Photogenic
 
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,869
Likes: 99
Default

If you are starting out with a complete new system - radiator and motor - IMO use Evans after a rebuild.

The long haulers get upwards to a million miles with the stuff - it lasts and lasts. Up front cost is more with Evans- keep your car and change every three years - Evans is cheaper. I hear you can buy Evans at John Deere dealerships cheaper.

I use Dexcool - keep the caps on and don't frequently expose DexCool to air and it won't gum like you see it do around the overflow cap and radiator cap if you keep exposing the stuff to air.

I can't switch to Evans because it doesn't like my Meziere electric water pump.
Reply
Old Feb 7, 2007 | 11:14 PM
  #8  
orangeapeel's Avatar
ЯєŧąяĐ Єl¡m¡иąŧøя ™
iTrader: (18)
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 16,083
Likes: 4
From: Justin, TX
Default

This thread will slowly become a pissing match. Honestly. The manual from the factory says Dex. I will let you decide what my answer is to this.
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-3

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-7

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Five Reasons the Camaro Was the Most Pivotal Player in the Pony Car Wars 2.0

 Brett Foote
story-9

10 Reasons the LS7 Is GM's Most Extreme Naturally Aspirated V8 Engine Ever

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Feb 8, 2007 | 08:34 AM
  #9  
68birdls1's Avatar
11 Second Club
20 Year Member
iTrader: (46)
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,667
Likes: 0
From: jacksonville, fl
Default

this is my second ls1 and i am using the mix with any brand or make stuff. i used the same stuff on my other ls1 as well.
Reply
Old Feb 8, 2007 | 08:54 AM
  #10  
Ragtop 99's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 9,491
Likes: 1
From: Bethesda, MD
Default

If you are having cooling problems, moderate your mix to use the most possible water without risking freezing. Moving to 70% distilled water, 30% DexCool and a bottle of purple ice or water wetter will help keep summer temps down if that is a problem.
Reply
Old Feb 8, 2007 | 08:57 AM
  #11  
billyjo's Avatar
On The Tree
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 126
Likes: 0
Default

I've read that Evans is the way to go also, I'm planning on giving it a try.

Bill
Reply
Old Feb 8, 2007 | 09:06 AM
  #12  
FU_I_AM_UltraZ's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
Veteran: Marine Corps
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
iTrader: (20)
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,160
Likes: 30
From: New Port Richey, FL
Default

i think buying Evans is a gimic. why do they want you to ONLY use their crap with their water pumps... stay with 50/50 distilled water and dex and add a bottle of purple ice or water wetter. i use that on both my cars in my signature! never over heating problems in FL summer!! EVER!!!
Reply
Old Feb 8, 2007 | 09:22 AM
  #13  
TXZ28LS1's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,163
Likes: 3
From: Classified
Default

word!! DEX COOl to keep your LS1 COOL!!
Reply
Old Feb 14, 2007 | 09:49 AM
  #14  
FU_I_AM_UltraZ's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
Veteran: Marine Corps
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
iTrader: (20)
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,160
Likes: 30
From: New Port Richey, FL
Default

(deep, deep voice) E-YEH!!!!
Reply
Old Feb 14, 2007 | 10:23 AM
  #15  
99WS7's Avatar
TECH Resident
iTrader: (13)
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 894
Likes: 0
From: WY
Default

the regular green stuff imo will work fine...I dont see it eating the aluminum drastically
Reply
Old Feb 14, 2007 | 01:23 PM
  #16  
SSmokin99's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,818
Likes: 1
From: Bay Area, CA
Default

Where do you get the "Dex" coolant? I don't even know how to change my coolant
Reply
Old Feb 14, 2007 | 01:36 PM
  #17  
MeentSS02's Avatar
Kleeborp the Moderator™
20 Year Member
iTrader: (11)
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 10,316
Likes: 6
From: Dayton, OH
Default

I've been able to find Dexcool at Advance Auto and Auto Zone...it is what I use in mine along with distilled water. Keeps the car cool, and that's all I can ask.
Reply
Old Feb 14, 2007 | 01:51 PM
  #18  
TheLS1Kid's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (12)
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,724
Likes: 0
From: Orlando, FL
Default

i use the predilluted 50/50 mix green stuff from advance autoparts. works great.
Reply
Old Feb 14, 2007 | 02:33 PM
  #19  
RUDE SS's Avatar
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 335
Likes: 0
From: Nor Cal
Default

If you mix the dex with green stuff you will run into trouble. Gaskets etc will rot. Green stuff has a shorter life span then dex cool also. I say stick to the dex cool; gm made it for their motors so stick with it.
Reply
Old Feb 14, 2007 | 02:39 PM
  #20  
TheLS1Kid's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (12)
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,724
Likes: 0
From: Orlando, FL
Default

Originally Posted by RUDE SS
If you mix the dex with green stuff you will run into trouble. Gaskets etc will rot. Green stuff has a shorter life span then dex cool also. I say stick to the dex cool; gm made it for their motors so stick with it.
agreed, but if you want to use the green, just make sure you flush the system.
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:31 AM.

story-0
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-2
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-3
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-4
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-5
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE
story-8
Five Reasons the Camaro Was the Most Pivotal Player in the Pony Car Wars 2.0

The world was a better place when it was still around.

By Brett Foote | 2026-01-23 09:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Reasons the LS7 Is GM's Most Extreme Naturally Aspirated V8 Engine Ever

Slideshow: The 7.0-liter LS7 was designed for absolute cutting-edge performance.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-07 18:36:00


VIEW MORE