LT1-LT4 Modifications 1993-97 Gen II Small Block V8

2 in 1: Tune Question, & Temperature Question??

Old Jan 17, 2011 | 02:01 AM
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Default 2 in 1: Tune Question, & Temperature Question??

Tune Question: I am planning on having my PCM Tuned by MadZ28... I will be having it tuned for...

Part of Email Sent to MadZ28 below:

-Recalibrated Speedo (4.10 gear ratio & 275/40R17 tires)
-Clear my emissions code (Due to having no cats), so I can pass emissions
-Change my shift points to 6,000 RPM's/(Whatever you recommend for 4.10's and 275/40R17 tire size) (It is shifting WAY to high at 6700 RPM's due to having 4.10's)
-I would like the Fans to turn on at 185* (I dont know what the normal Temp is, so if 185* is pointless please let me know)
-Power tuning for Longtube headers, Off-Road Y pipe, Cold Air intake, and Magnaflow catback

I was wondering if I should have the line pressure in the transmission raised so it shifts firmer and harder? Good Idea, or Bad Idea?

Temperature Question: I have been driving my car and it stays around 190* while moving, but when stopped at a light or at idle it will go to 210*, sometime a little above 220*... I have a digital temp gauge, FYI.

Is this normal? If not, what do you think the problem is? I figured I could have it tuned to have the fans turn on sooner?

Thanks in advance,

Kyle
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Old Jan 17, 2011 | 02:46 AM
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what thermostat is in the car now? how hot outside is it when it's doing this and what kind of mix are you running?
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Old Jan 17, 2011 | 03:04 AM
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Originally Posted by BigD383lt1
what thermostat is in the car now? how hot outside is it when it's doing this and what kind of mix are you running?
I believe the stock thermostat is in the car now.

Its around 30*-40*

What kind of mix am I running? I dont know what that means.
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Old Jan 17, 2011 | 05:41 AM
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Bumping the shift points/line pressure is a good thing. Pontiac's had that as an option, stock, so it won't hurt anything.

Your coolant temps are fine. Stock fans don't even come on until 227 degrees. But with a 160-thermostat, having the fans turn on much earlier is certainly a step in the right direction.

The "mix" he's talking about is coolant mixture, but that doesn't have anything to do with how cool the car runs.
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Old Jan 17, 2011 | 11:45 AM
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Originally Posted by RamAir95TA
Bumping the shift points/line pressure is a good thing. Pontiac's had that as an option, stock, so it won't hurt anything.

Your coolant temps are fine. Stock fans don't even come on until 227 degrees. But with a 160-thermostat, having the fans turn on much earlier is certainly a step in the right direction.

The "mix" he's talking about is coolant mixture, but that doesn't have anything to do with how cool the car runs.
Ok. So is there any certain pressure I should ask it to be tuned at, or just ask for it to be bumped up?

I was thinking about doing a 180* thermostat.

I am running Havoline Dex-Cool "GM Approved Orange Coolant"
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Old Jan 17, 2011 | 11:47 AM
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180 thermo is what comes stock in f-bodies.
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Old Jan 17, 2011 | 12:32 PM
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id get that dex cool outa there. its has the tendency to eat head gaskets in motors not designed for it
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Old Jan 17, 2011 | 12:37 PM
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order a 160 and have them change the fans you will be good for temp. I can't speak on the rest
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Old Jan 17, 2011 | 03:35 PM
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Originally Posted by SpeedFreak123
Ok. So is there any certain pressure I should ask it to be tuned at, or just ask for it to be bumped up?

I was thinking about doing a 180* thermostat.

I am running Havoline Dex-Cool "GM Approved Orange Coolant"
Just ask for shift firmness. They'll do the rest.

That coolant is fine.

Stock thermostat is 180-degrees. Go with the 160-thermo, and make sure it is LT1-specific.

Originally Posted by Badazz 97 TA
180 thermo is what comes stock in f-bodies.
Yes indeed!

Originally Posted by ElkySS
id get that dex cool outa there. its has the tendency to eat head gaskets in motors not designed for it
Complete utter internet hearsay. What do you think your motor came with from the factory?
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Old Jan 17, 2011 | 11:05 PM
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So 160* thermostat... And have the fans come on at what temp?
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Old Jan 17, 2011 | 11:10 PM
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Originally Posted by SpeedFreak123
So 160* thermostat... And have the fans come on at what temp?
Your tuner will decide. I'm pretty sure mine come on at 175-180ish.
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Old Jan 17, 2011 | 11:17 PM
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Yep 175, the thermostat fully opens at that temp so the fans should come on then
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Old Jan 18, 2011 | 12:13 AM
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Ok sounds good. Anyone else got an opinion about the shift line pressure, through a tune?
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Old Jan 18, 2011 | 12:30 AM
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I had it done on my old tune. Initially it was rough coming from stock but after a few days it felt a lot better
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Old Jan 19, 2011 | 02:41 PM
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Originally Posted by RamAir95TA
Complete utter internet hearsay. What do you think your motor came with from the factory?
u do know gm got sued over this right? and i dont belive gm had dex cool in 94. plus it happened to me and thats why i use green now
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Old Jan 19, 2011 | 05:18 PM
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Originally Posted by ElkySS
u do know gm got sued over this right? and i dont belive gm had dex cool in 94. plus it happened to me and thats why i use green now
WTF? So The orange coolant is prob. why my head gasket blew?
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Old Jan 19, 2011 | 06:17 PM
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Originally Posted by SpeedFreak123
WTF? So The orange coolant is prob. why my head gasket blew?
Did you look at the gaskets that blew? Mine blew because it was overheated, as are most cases I come across. Blaming the coolant is the easy way out.
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Old Jan 19, 2011 | 06:44 PM
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mine had never overheated in the year i had owned it. i had been running dexcool for 2-3 months and out of no where, my car starts overheating. check the coolant and theres hardly any in there. no leaks. pull the heads off and find where the head gasket looks to have rotted a line straight from a cooling jacket to the combustion chamber. maybe dex cool caused it, maybe it didnt. im running green now and no problems.
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Old Jan 19, 2011 | 06:53 PM
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Originally Posted by RamAir95TA
The "mix" he's talking about is coolant mixture, but that doesn't have anything to do with how cool the car runs.
Bullshit, fill your car up with 100% coolant undiluted, and I gaurentee you'll overheat, water gets mixed in because straight coolant can't carry enough heat compared to just water.
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Old Jan 19, 2011 | 07:50 PM
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My car never overheated before the gasket blew, the hottest it got was like 210*
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