Standard Operating Temperatures... What's yours?
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
From: Upstate NY
Standard Operating Temperatures... What's yours? I know there have been prior threads on this, but no very specific info. I have a 97 LT1 Formula. I have been concerned about the running temperature for years now, but wanted to get others input. I live in upsate NY and only drive my car in the summer, so air temps range from 50-90 here, with normal around 75. On a normal day, once the car has warmed up, here's what I see:
Driving Constantly at 55-60mph: 195 deg
Driving Constantly at 30-35mph: 220 deg
Sitting in traffic: 230deg
On a hot day, these will be slightly higher. And also, after shutting the car off for a few minutes and turning the ignition back on before starting, the temp is up in the Red.
Just curious if these are consistant with others' experiences? Thanks for anyone who can find out.
Driving Constantly at 55-60mph: 195 deg
Driving Constantly at 30-35mph: 220 deg
Sitting in traffic: 230deg
On a hot day, these will be slightly higher. And also, after shutting the car off for a few minutes and turning the ignition back on before starting, the temp is up in the Red.
Just curious if these are consistant with others' experiences? Thanks for anyone who can find out.
Assuming your cooling system is stock, then those numbers are perfectly normal.
With several cooling system modifications though my temps never get above 195ish, even with the high-compression 383.
With several cooling system modifications though my temps never get above 195ish, even with the high-compression 383.
Get a 160 stat and your fans tuned....my car runs a steady 170 as long as I'm going 45MPH+ even in the hot *** summers here in NC. Even if stuck in traffic on a 95 degree afternoon only creeps up to 200 because the fans come on sooner now. Stock tuning and thermostat would have it going to 210-215.
One Additional Suggestion / My $0.02 Get a 160 stat and your fans tuned....my car runs a steady 170 as long as I'm going 45MPH+ even in the hot *** summers here in NC. Even if stuck in traffic on a 95 degree afternoon only creeps up to 200 because the fans come on sooner now. Stock tuning and thermostat would have it going to 210-215.
I was told by a guy who owns a radiator repair shop (a ASE certifed Master Mechanic too!) that the standard / green coolant has a greater coefficient of thermal conductivity, therefore using it increases the overall efficiency of your cooling system (vs. Dexcool).
fans on full time, 160deg t-stat, and orange coolant - temps rarely go above 180deg in the 100deg+ TX heat in stop-and-go traffic
I saw ~195-ish one day and come to find out my radiator had leaked over a gallon of coolant out
either my car runs cool or my gauge is wrong... I will say the car seemed to run better with half the coolant missing
I saw ~195-ish one day and come to find out my radiator had leaked over a gallon of coolant out
either my car runs cool or my gauge is wrong... I will say the car seemed to run better with half the coolant missing
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
From: Upstate NY
Thanks for the thoughts. I was planning on getting it tuned, I'll have them set the fans too. What's a good kick in temp with a 160 thermostat? 200 or so? I'd rather not keep it on or install a switch.
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power
Verdad Gallardo
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die
Verdad Gallardo
Five Reasons the Camaro Was the Most Pivotal Player in the Pony Car Wars 2.0
Brett Foote I have mine set to come on around 170-degrees. If you live in a climate where it can get pretty cold and like to keep your heat toasty I'd request for it to be set around 200ish.
160 tstat and fans set to come on at 208. On the highway it runs around 175 and sitting in traffic like 210.
I would have the fans kick in anything over 200. Otherwise there gonna run all the time which you don't need in NY. These cars run hot, its not a bad thing.
I would have the fans kick in anything over 200. Otherwise there gonna run all the time which you don't need in NY. These cars run hot, its not a bad thing.
yea like everyone has said thats normal for a stock car.
If you go with pcmforless they have Tables that they use to set the turn on temps depending on your t-stat. Can also adjust your timing to make use of the cooler running engine.
If you go with pcmforless they have Tables that they use to set the turn on temps depending on your t-stat. Can also adjust your timing to make use of the cooler running engine.
