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

type of water

Old Jan 5, 2007 | 12:19 PM
  #1  
artic's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
From: stayton,oregon
Default type of water

I read that it is better to use distilled water in a cooling system instead of tap water. Is this true ???why? or is there something better to use?
Reply
Old Jan 5, 2007 | 12:35 PM
  #2  
BlackScreaminMachine's Avatar
Internet Mechanic
20 Year Member
iTrader: (17)
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 9,830
Likes: 2
From: Wallingford CT
Default

Distilled water doesnt carry the impurties that tap water does, also has to do with the ionization of the water may corrode radiators. Personally Ive always used tap water, never an issue.
Reply
Old Jan 5, 2007 | 03:11 PM
  #3  
seawolf06's Avatar
TECH Resident
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 851
Likes: 0
From: Raleigh, NC
Default

I'd be worried about the tap water clogging up or rusting my radiator. I use 60/40 coolant to water and I only use distilled water. It's less than $1/gallon, why not?
Reply
Old Jan 5, 2007 | 04:16 PM
  #4  
Paul Bell's Avatar
That's MISTER MODERATOR
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 7,616
Likes: 65
From: NYC
Default

I use the Prestone pre-mixed stuff. They use distilled water and the mix is always just right.
Reply
Old Jan 5, 2007 | 04:20 PM
  #5  
seawolf06's Avatar
TECH Resident
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 851
Likes: 0
From: Raleigh, NC
Default

Originally Posted by Paul Bell
I use the Prestone pre-mixed stuff. They use distilled water and the mix is always just right.
That's the easy way, but it's much more expensive. If you think about it, you're getting half the coolant for the same price. I've even seen it more expensive. Just add $2 of distilled water or nearly free tap water and you've got the same thing. All you have to do is measure. 50/50 is also the limit of what you should run. I'm surprised you've never had a problem in those cold winters. I think anyone in the colder areas should use no less than 70/30 in the winter. Only reason I don't run less than 50/50 is because the coolant helps keep my radiator from rusting.
Reply
Old Jan 5, 2007 | 06:38 PM
  #6  
Ralls's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
15 Year Member
iTrader: (32)
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,687
Likes: 0
From: Fairfax, Virginia
Default

You need to use distilled water for batteries. The cooling system is ok with tap water, but you can use distilled if you want.
Reply
Old Jan 6, 2007 | 06:08 PM
  #7  
obe1 95Z28's Avatar
Teching In
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: San Diego
Default

Tap water from state to state varies, here in CA the tap water has a high mineral content. Distilled water is cheap insurance.
Reply
Old Jan 6, 2007 | 06:09 PM
  #8  
obe1 95Z28's Avatar
Teching In
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: San Diego
Default

Originally Posted by seawolf06
I'd be worried about the tap water clogging up or rusting my radiator. I use 60/40 coolant to water and I only use distilled water. It's less than $1/gallon, why not?
I believe the ideal coolant percentage is 50%:

"A 50-50 mix of ethylene glycol antifreeze and water will protect against freezing down to minus 34 degrees Fahrenheit. If you need greater low-temp protection, a higher percentage of antifreeze is called for, but the experts say to avoid concentrations greater than 60/40.



The ideal concentration is 50/50 unless you live in an area where the level of protection 50/50 provides, (-34 degrees F.) is not adequate. Up to 60 percent concentration can be used, which protects down to -65 degrees. To increase antifreeze level, drain some coolant and add straight antifreeze. To decrease, drain some coolant and add de-ionized water or tap water whose mineral concentration meets the engine maker’s standards."

Last edited by obe1 95Z28; Jan 6, 2007 at 06:24 PM.
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-1

Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-5

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-8

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

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

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jan 6, 2007 | 06:33 PM
  #9  
hyperzone's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,162
Likes: 0
From: St. Augustine, FL
Default

Back of the container recommends 50/50 or 70/30. Antifreeze is an additive for your cooling system. It inhibits corrosion, lowers the freezing point and raises the boiling point of the water. I use tap water in a 70/30 mix. no problems here.
Reply


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:40 AM.

story-0
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

Slideshow: We take a close look at the ONE and Artidiag 800BT2 diagnostic tools from Topdon and the reasons to buy one over the other.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 11:05:11


VIEW MORE
story-1
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

Slideshow: The controversial Ferrari F6 swaps its original flat-12 for a Corvette Z06-derived LT4 V8 and sends power to four rear wheels through a custom-built drivetrain.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 18:23:54


VIEW MORE
story-2
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-3
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-4
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-5
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-6
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-7
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-8
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-9
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