KyGriz

Just got my Z06 a few weeks ago....wondering about optimal operating temp for the cooling system....mine seems like it's running at about 215....used to my old Corvette that ran at about 180.....also which is best bolt on air intake unit??

AzDave47

Stock LS7 has a 194* thermostat and should run that in steady highway driving. It will likely run 215-220* in city stop and go. Stock on a road circuit, I would see 245* water temp, stock.

You will get lots of answers on air intake. I have an Airraid recommended by my builder. Halltech, Calloway also are well regarded.

JoesC5

Saturday, I drove 105 miles for lunch at the lake, and it was 102 degrees. I have the stock air breather and stock Donaldson filter element but I do have the Vette-Air scoop with a home made diffuser panel and I also have the "wings" from an Airaid CAI that helps prevent hot air from the engine compartment from spilling over the top of the radiator into the air breather compartment when idling at a traffic light, etc.

Cruising at 65 MPH I was running 198-199 degrees(2 to 4 degrees warmer than when the ambient is around 80-90 degrees), and idling at a traffic light, I was at 203 degrees. Of course, the A/C was on, set at 76 degrees. My fans are set to come on at a lower temp than the stock tune, and run longer after engine shutdown.

pewter50vette

Halltech here with shield to keep hot air from engine away , 190 on highway 210-220 stop and go traffic

Bill Dearborn

215 isn't a problem. No need to do anything. Old cars had old technology that doesn't work in the modern world even though there are plenty of proponents for lower thermostats in modern cars they don't provide any improvement in traffic since the fans control the temps up to 35 mph and the air flow from the car moving controls it after 35 mph. You only run into temp problems with C5s and C6s if you push the car hard for long periods of time on the track. Then you run into cooling system capacity issues that can't be addressed with thermostats. Coolant running at 250 degrees isn't affected any more by a 160 thermostat than it is by a 186 (stock) or a 220 thermostat.

Bill

RedZ4me

Recently changed to a 160 stat but prior to it, my stocker - I would run 95-97C (203-207F) Now I'm about 92 C (197F) in stop and go but love my new highway temps - 82-83C ( 179 F) and that's on a super hot/muggy day recently. I'm sure I'll get lower as we get to more normal temps.

MiamiCowboy

Have a 09 with Halltech and bee hive. Temp this weekend was over 100 and car ran 194 to 196 cruising on Turnpike. Would drop to 194 when going down grade. In town on a hot day it will get to 205+ but drops down quickly when able to accelerate.

0Anthony @ LGMotorsports

My 08 would run 194-228F water temps in Texas during normal hwy/city driving.

548chevelle

Monitor your IAT. When I first got my '11 I was cruising on a 65 degree day and the IAT was 110! The air passes thru the radiator and then goes over and around the rad and into the intake. I put a shroud in to block this and now my IAT runs about 5 degrees over ambient. Those two block offs from AirRaid are useless. They only block 10-20%. Hot air can still get around the sides and even between the top of the rad and bottom of the intake. Just monitor your IAT and you'll see what it takes..