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

Car will not run at temp

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Old Oct 3, 2011 | 11:54 AM
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Default Car will not run at temp

New wp, thermo, coolant, all plastics underneath, fans coming on as computer directs. Took it to the shop, they said they fixed it. got it back, not at all. it gets up to 220 and the fans kick on, goes down to 180 and then starts all over again. they said, and i quote, "as long as it doesnt get into the red, your alright". Damn yokals. its a 93, 117,000 miles. They checked the cooling system and said no blown headgasket (whatever thats worth). Im at a loss. All they did was bleed it and rewire the fans (i had a fan relay) back to stock settings. Others on here suggested a clogged radiator, but the shop said it wasnt...not sure where to go from here
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Old Oct 3, 2011 | 04:29 PM
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I'm not 100% sure about 93's but all other year LT1's run that way. They dont stay cooler unless you have a 160 thermo and the fans programed in the PCM to turn on at cooler temps or you rewire them to run all the time, on a switch, or on an after market controler. But like I said thats for 94 on in the F bodies. 93 was an Eprom chip so I don't know if they were programed at the same temps or not. From the factory they are set way high for emisions. 220 is not hot for an LT1. When mine was stock the low speed fan didn't turn on untill around 215 and high speed came on at 220+.
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Old Oct 3, 2011 | 04:59 PM
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really? i was kind of under the impression that it should stay at 180 if everything in the cooling system is functioning properly... so its not technically overheating?
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Old Oct 3, 2011 | 05:51 PM
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That's normal for LTs, if it bugs you put in a 160 thermostat and wire an on switch for the fans or tune it.
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Old Oct 3, 2011 | 06:08 PM
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You have to change the fans on/off setting in the pcm or chip for the 93's and put in a lower temp thermostat as already suggested.
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Old Oct 3, 2011 | 07:01 PM
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Sounds like normal operation to me. I dont know about 93's, but 94+ fans are set to kick on at 226*F. 220 is not an unusually hot temp for an LT1. Its not going to stay at a steady 180 all the time.

If your stopped in traffic its going to heat up and will cool down once you get moving. As long as the fans are coming on when there supposed to and its cooling the engine back down there is no problem. Just by reading your post you have nothing to worry about. Everything is fine. My car does the same thing.
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Old Oct 3, 2011 | 07:02 PM
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Oh. well thanks for the help
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Old Oct 3, 2011 | 08:54 PM
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This scared the crap out of me when I first got my LT1 too...
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