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

No thermostat, no problem???

Old Jan 22, 2011 | 02:35 PM
  #1  
lncboytre_d's Avatar
Thread Starter
11 Second Club
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 304
Likes: 0
From: Lancaster, tx
Default No thermostat, no problem???

Is it ok to run without a thermostat?
I've been running without it. The car never rises above 180 and seems to be fine.
Reply
Old Jan 22, 2011 | 02:51 PM
  #2  
96lt1m6's Avatar
TECH Junkie
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
iTrader: (31)
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,782
Likes: 3
From: LA$ VEGA$
Default

Not a good idea..... coolant just constantly circulates and will not get enough time in the radiator to cool off before it returns to the motor. You will eventually see especially when the warm weather comes......safe bet is to have a 160°-170° thermostat installed.
Why are you without a stat?
Reply
Old Jan 22, 2011 | 03:04 PM
  #3  
lncboytre_d's Avatar
Thread Starter
11 Second Club
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 304
Likes: 0
From: Lancaster, tx
Default

Car was stolen a while back and I just got it running, it was trying to overheat so I removed it, put it in a pot of hot water with no results. I had more work to do to the car so I left it out til I finished. I drove about 50 miles around dallas with it out through traffic. It never got above 180-185. Before I created a new problem I thought I'd ask.
Reply
Old Jan 22, 2011 | 03:17 PM
  #4  
whytryz28's Avatar
TECH Junkie
iTrader: (28)
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,757
Likes: 2
From: Hawaii
Default

Originally Posted by 96lt1m6
Not a good idea..... coolant just constantly circulates and will not get enough time in the radiator to cool off before it returns to the motor. You will eventually see especially when the warm weather comes......safe bet is to have a 160°-170° thermostat installed.
Why are you without a stat?
I ran around for 3 years in Florida weather without one in my 69 camaro, never overheated once.
Reply
Old Jan 22, 2011 | 03:49 PM
  #5  
idformula's Avatar
TECH Regular
 
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 481
Likes: 0
Default

Another problem that can happen is the coolant will circulate too fast, it won't pick up enough heat throughout the motor, so it will run hotter than what the coolant temp is.
Reply
Old Jan 22, 2011 | 04:02 PM
  #6  
David21's Avatar
On The Tree
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 198
Likes: 0
From: Carrollton, TX
Default

Originally Posted by 96lt1m6
Not a good idea..... coolant just constantly circulates and will not get enough time in the radiator to cool off before it returns to the motor. You will eventually see especially when the warm weather comes......safe bet is to have a 160°-170° thermostat installed.
Why are you without a stat?
Are you serious? Wow ignorance at it's finest.

If it's not in the radiator long enough to "cool" than how can it be in the motor long enough to get "hot"? The same logic applies.

Bottom line is you will be absolutely fine the purpose of a thermostat is to help the motor get hotter quicker and stay in operating temperature when cold.

Originally Posted by idformula
Another problem that can happen is the coolant will circulate too fast, it won't pick up enough heat throughout the motor, so it will run hotter than what the coolant temp is.
Again this is also an ignorant statement to make.
Reply
Old Jan 22, 2011 | 04:10 PM
  #7  
bowtienut's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
15 Year Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,685
Likes: 5
From: Bright, IN
Default

Originally Posted by David21
Are you serious? Wow ignorance at it's finest.

If it's not in the radiator long enough to "cool" than how can it be in the motor long enough to get "hot"? The same logic applies.

Bottom line is you will be absolutely fine the purpose of a thermostat is to help the motor get hotter quicker and stay in operating temperature when cold.



Again this is also an ignorant statement to make.
You beat me to it. Those comments above indicate a lack of understanding of........call it what you want: basic thermodynamics, or just common mechanical sense.
Only in cold weather will you have a problem keeping enough heat in the engine. For engine longevity, fuel mileage, emissions, and heater/defroster functions, it's best to run a thermostat. I like 160 deg stats in the LT1's; with the reverse flow, the engine ends up running in the 175-180 range.
Reply
Old Jan 22, 2011 | 04:23 PM
  #8  
David21's Avatar
On The Tree
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 198
Likes: 0
From: Carrollton, TX
Default

Thank you.

Im sorry for the way I said it if I offended the two above, but it irritates me when people spew incorrect information like that.

I can't say how many times ive already seen on here the misconception of,

"the water goes too fast through a radiator your car will overheat" garbage
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 Jan 22, 2011 | 04:32 PM
  #9  
lncboytre_d's Avatar
Thread Starter
11 Second Club
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 304
Likes: 0
From: Lancaster, tx
Default

Thanks for the help. More importantly thanks for explaining your reasons why or why not.
Reply
Old Jan 22, 2011 | 04:36 PM
  #10  
David21's Avatar
On The Tree
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 198
Likes: 0
From: Carrollton, TX
Default

No problem just surprised they didn't say anything about your hi flow water pump lol.

Nice mod list btw, seems all your lacking are some gears
Reply
Old Jan 22, 2011 | 04:45 PM
  #11  
shbox's Avatar
TECH Veteran
15 Year Member
Liked
 
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 4,144
Likes: 61
From: Little Rock, AR
Default

Originally Posted by whytryz28
I ran around for 3 years in Florida weather without one in my 69 camaro, never overheated once.
There are big differences in the water pump and thermostat than in that car. You can't really compare the two.

What happens when you have no thermostat in an LT1 is that not all the heated coolant coming from the engine will make it to the radiator (it will go back into the engine). In the summer, this can lead to rising engine temps during higher ambient temps. In the winter, you may not notice, but you'll likely get more efficient warm up with it present (and that is a good thing for engine life).

The thermostat is not the same as an SBC thermostat and has a dual stage function and the water pump has complex passages to make use of it.

Bottom line-run a thermostat.
Reply
Old Jan 22, 2011 | 04:49 PM
  #12  
chaman's Avatar
TECH Veteran
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,482
Likes: 46
Default

Ive ha d a lot of cars without a t-stat and never a single problem. In colder weather it could in fact be a problem.
Reply
Old Jan 22, 2011 | 04:54 PM
  #13  
lncboytre_d's Avatar
Thread Starter
11 Second Club
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 304
Likes: 0
From: Lancaster, tx
Default

Gears will be my next mod....lol. I ran out of budget money. For that matter I went over budget a LONG time ago.
Reply
Old Jan 22, 2011 | 04:55 PM
  #14  
bowtienut's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
15 Year Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,685
Likes: 5
From: Bright, IN
Default

Originally Posted by shbox
There are big differences in the water pump and thermostat than in that car. You can't really compare the two.

What happens when you have no thermostat in an LT1 is that not all the heated coolant coming from the engine will make it to the radiator (it will go back into the engine). In the summer, this can lead to rising engine temps during higher ambient temps. .
true dat
If you really must run an LT1 without a tstat (I do for racing, so I can do a quick cooldown between runs), you need to plug that bypass passage to force it all through the radiator.
Reply
Old Jan 22, 2011 | 04:59 PM
  #15  
lncboytre_d's Avatar
Thread Starter
11 Second Club
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 304
Likes: 0
From: Lancaster, tx
Default

I'd like 3.73's but was leaning more towards 3.42's haven't deceided. Can't really justify one over the other. I don't race much, just like to go fast and sound good doing it.
Reply
Old Jan 22, 2011 | 05:03 PM
  #16  
lncboytre_d's Avatar
Thread Starter
11 Second Club
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 304
Likes: 0
From: Lancaster, tx
Default

It's slower than yours I know...... But its fast enough to out run the guy behind me

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=oNxGJsGoFTk
Reply
Old Jan 22, 2011 | 05:04 PM
  #17  
David21's Avatar
On The Tree
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 198
Likes: 0
From: Carrollton, TX
Default

Go 3:73. You'll regret it later if not
Reply
Old Jan 22, 2011 | 05:05 PM
  #18  
David21's Avatar
On The Tree
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 198
Likes: 0
From: Carrollton, TX
Default

Sounds really good
Reply
Old Jan 23, 2011 | 03:54 PM
  #19  
lncboytre_d's Avatar
Thread Starter
11 Second Club
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 304
Likes: 0
From: Lancaster, tx
Default

It took just under 5 minutes to warm up at idle to 170. I let it idle for about ten minutes then adjusted the rocker arms which took another 15 to 20 minutes, the car never got over 180*. I was worried about it staying in open loop from being below normal op temp but it went into closed loop around 150-160. According to Ion at madtuner.com running a lower t-stat and fan temp allows for a more aggressive spark table. With that in mind the car should be fine without one I think. And the heater, does it work...... fells like its funneling heat directly from hell
Reply
Old Jan 23, 2011 | 04:30 PM
  #20  
formulafast's Avatar
Staging Lane
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
From: cherry point, NC
Default

think of it this way, no therostate less restriction more HP!!!!!! We should all do this lol
Reply

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:26 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