Coolant Temperature Range
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,564
Likes: 6
From: Woodstock Georgia
Factory thermostat is 185*, factory fan settings are main on at 227* and aux fan on at 236*. Depending upon ambient temperature and road vs city driving the temp will vary about 180* to as high as 230* and be in normal ranges.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,938
Likes: 62
From: Columbia SC
Originally Posted by aminnich
Factory thermostat is 185*, factory fan settings are main on at 227* and aux fan on at 236*. Depending upon ambient temperature and road vs city driving the temp will vary about 180* to as high as 230* and be in normal ranges.
what he said!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 8,753
Likes: 9
From: Louisiana
aminnich is correct with his statement, except for the LTX cars come with a 180* t-stat stock. L98 car have the 195*
Here is a test I did.
Here is a test I did.
I spent about 45 minutes observing the coolant temperature operation range on my stock (never modified) 95 LT1 with 50,000 miles. I started the engine and let the temp rise. All of the info is while at idle and the outside temp 80*. Idle temp reached 228* before both fans came on and never saw the temp past 230* via digital guage. Analog guage was in the hash marks and showed approx. 250* from guessing, 260* being the highest number which is miss leading and have seen other threads where the analog guage is off as well. The temp dropped to 217* and both fans cut off. With the A/C on the temps sat around 201-205* and never got lower or higher. This I consider normal at idle and when driving at about 55 mph the digital temp guage stays around 185-190* range.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 215
Likes: 0
From: Conway AR
Mine (94 LT1) stays around 200, goes down to 198 then back up to 204 (digital gauge) driving with the A/C on. When it ges winter here (Ark) the temps run about 5 degrees higher. I think I remember seeing in the manual (shop) that the thermostat is a 200 degree one.
What would happen if I put a 180 in it? I really don't like the temps over 200 degrees.
bill
What would happen if I put a 180 in it? I really don't like the temps over 200 degrees.
bill
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 8,753
Likes: 9
From: Louisiana
Originally Posted by Arkybill
Mine (94 LT1) stays around 200, goes down to 198 then back up to 204 (digital gauge) driving with the A/C on. When it ges winter here (Ark) the temps run about 5 degrees higher. I think I remember seeing in the manual (shop) that the thermostat is a 200 degree one.
What would happen if I put a 180 in it? I really don't like the temps over 200 degrees.
bill
What would happen if I put a 180 in it? I really don't like the temps over 200 degrees.
bill
For instance, if you run without a t-stat... the warmup time will take forever. Coolant is circulating through the block the whole time and will take longer for the engine to warm up.
If, for some reason, you have a 200* t-stat in now and switch to a 180* t-stat...the minimal operating temp will drop that 20*. You won't really notice this until you get on the highway.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 8,753
Likes: 9
From: Louisiana
Originally Posted by aminnich
Oops, my typo. I meant 180* (really, really, I did). 
I know you did. aminnich, from viewing previous posts on these C4 "engine cooling threads"...you know what you're talking about.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,314
Likes: 3
From: In a van down by the river! Florida
My LT4 runs at 192..always in cruising, sometimes a tad higher cruising in 6th on the interstate.
It climbs steadily when stopped (drive-through, traffic) but as soon as I drive it, or the fans kick on, back to 192 she goes.
It climbs steadily when stopped (drive-through, traffic) but as soon as I drive it, or the fans kick on, back to 192 she goes.
