Running cooler
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 726
Likes: 1
Running cooler
I have a '92 LT1. I've heard they tend to run hot. I've also heard about
aftermarket low-temp thermostats - especially those mated to Hyper-chips.
My question is... can a high-performance thermostat (say 160-180 range)
be added as a simple upgrade by itself or must it be mated to one of the
chips and or programmed?? Anyone make such a simple change?? :rolleyes:
aftermarket low-temp thermostats - especially those mated to Hyper-chips.
My question is... can a high-performance thermostat (say 160-180 range)
be added as a simple upgrade by itself or must it be mated to one of the
chips and or programmed?? Anyone make such a simple change?? :rolleyes:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 5,381
Likes: 0
From: Pineville, Louisiana
Re: Running cooler (linkschamp)
If you just add the thermostat then your cooling fans will not come on till you reach the higher temperature that you are trying to stay away from. To achieve a lower operating temperature you need to have your fans turn on at a lower temp. I am not sure on the 92 which method you have to do but on the 96 you have to reprogram.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,622
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver BC
Re: Running cooler (CowboyNVette)
If you just add the thermostat then your cooling fans will not come on till you reach the higher temperature that you are trying to stay away from. To achieve a lower operating temperature you need to have your fans turn on at a lower temp. I am not sure on the 92 which method you have to do but on the 96 you have to reprogram.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 5,381
Likes: 0
From: Pineville, Louisiana
Re: Running cooler (dmalhi1)
If you just add the thermostat then your cooling fans will not come on till you reach the higher temperature that you are trying to stay away from. To achieve a lower operating temperature you need to have your fans turn on at a lower temp. I am not sure on the 92 which method you have to do but on the 96 you have to reprogram.
well isn't there just a switch or something you can install which would turn on the fan sooner than it would as it approaches max temperature ?
well isn't there just a switch or something you can install which would turn on the fan sooner than it would as it approaches max temperature ?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 726
Likes: 1
Re: Running cooler (CowboyNVette)
Yes, you're right - manual is out of the question, too easy to forget to turn
them on and bam! However, replacing the stat would allow for cooler running
temperatures - so what if the fans don't turn on until the current "set" temp.
Since the car is at idle, I'm not too concerned about engine wear at idle
speeds (and at factory settings) - the main idea would be to make the engine
run cooler at speeds - wouldn't a simple stat change provide that??
I also assume we're talking about reprogramming with something like one of
those Hyper-Tech Power Programmers or some such. I wonder if a private
vette shop would have the ability to re-program...? Think a dealer would do
it (car is out of warranty)?
Almost makes me yearn for the belt-driven fan... nahh!! :crazy:
them on and bam! However, replacing the stat would allow for cooler running
temperatures - so what if the fans don't turn on until the current "set" temp.
Since the car is at idle, I'm not too concerned about engine wear at idle
speeds (and at factory settings) - the main idea would be to make the engine
run cooler at speeds - wouldn't a simple stat change provide that??
I also assume we're talking about reprogramming with something like one of
those Hyper-Tech Power Programmers or some such. I wonder if a private
vette shop would have the ability to re-program...? Think a dealer would do
it (car is out of warranty)?
Almost makes me yearn for the belt-driven fan... nahh!! :crazy:
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 726
Likes: 1
Re: Running cooler (linkschamp)
Just got off the phone with a local (and I think great) Chevy dealer.
They informed me that they have a "replacement" stat (180 deg) that
costs $22.32 (Plus $115 installed). However, after checking with their
"resident certified vette machanic", I was told the fans come on automatically
at 218 degress and CANNOT be reporgrammed!!
I would be REAL curious if anyone has changed their termostat and had
any success (or need) to reprogram the fan(s)... :chevy
They informed me that they have a "replacement" stat (180 deg) that
costs $22.32 (Plus $115 installed). However, after checking with their
"resident certified vette machanic", I was told the fans come on automatically
at 218 degress and CANNOT be reporgrammed!!
I would be REAL curious if anyone has changed their termostat and had
any success (or need) to reprogram the fan(s)... :chevy
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 219
Likes: 0
From: Orlando fl
Re: Running cooler (linkschamp)
the fans come on automatically at 218 degress
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 5,302
Likes: 2
From: Atlanta GA
Re: Running cooler (linkschamp)
Just got off the phone with a local (and I think great) Chevy dealer.
They informed me that they have a "replacement" stat (180 deg) that
costs $22.32 (Plus $115 installed). However, after checking with their
"resident certified vette machanic", I was told the fans come on automatically
at 218 degress and CANNOT be reporgrammed!!
I would be REAL curious if anyone has changed their termostat and had
any success (or need) to reprogram the fan(s)... :chevy
They informed me that they have a "replacement" stat (180 deg) that
costs $22.32 (Plus $115 installed). However, after checking with their
"resident certified vette machanic", I was told the fans come on automatically
at 218 degress and CANNOT be reporgrammed!!
I would be REAL curious if anyone has changed their termostat and had
any success (or need) to reprogram the fan(s)... :chevy
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,125
Likes: 1,727
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Re: Running cooler (linkschamp)
OK, heres what you have to do. On your year, you need a chip. DONT buy the Hypertech chip as it does nothing for way too much $$.
Get the 160 tstat, clean off the front of your radiator (it will have dirt and debris in there, causing your car to run hotter) then you will need a chip burned to make the fans come on earlier. My stock fan comes on at 225 and my auxiliary fan (in front of the radiator) comes on another 10 later or somthing like that.
The manual switch is a good thing, but once you get on the road it really doesnt do you any good, its better to keep your car cool when its idling. You dont want the fan to be on all the time you know.
Go to the ECM section and look up Marcho Polo and see if he or someone else here with the right equipment will burn you a chip for less than the hypercrap chip, if you have some major mods, then id recommend Ed Wright at Fastchip.com.
Get the 160 tstat, clean off the front of your radiator (it will have dirt and debris in there, causing your car to run hotter) then you will need a chip burned to make the fans come on earlier. My stock fan comes on at 225 and my auxiliary fan (in front of the radiator) comes on another 10 later or somthing like that.
The manual switch is a good thing, but once you get on the road it really doesnt do you any good, its better to keep your car cool when its idling. You dont want the fan to be on all the time you know.
Go to the ECM section and look up Marcho Polo and see if he or someone else here with the right equipment will burn you a chip for less than the hypercrap chip, if you have some major mods, then id recommend Ed Wright at Fastchip.com.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 17,786
Likes: 5
From: Florida
Re: Running cooler (dtorc4)
Just got off the phone with a local (and I think great) Chevy dealer.
They informed me that they have a "replacement" stat (180 deg) that
costs $22.32 (Plus $115 installed). However, after checking with their
"resident certified vette machanic", I was told the fans come on automatically
at 218 degress and CANNOT be reporgrammed!!
I would be REAL curious if anyone has changed their termostat and had
any success (or need) to reprogram the fan(s)... :chevy
The dealer is trying to take you for a ride, Links. Everything can be reprogrammed. How else would Hypertech, Ed Wright, Jet, etc. make any money? I have found that most dealer mechanics I talk to know very little about modifications to vehicles. Maybe this is just because of my area, but they want to make as much money from you as they can. Order a chip or programmer (I'm not completely familiar w/ LT-1 computers) and get the fan to come on at a lower temp. :cheers:
They informed me that they have a "replacement" stat (180 deg) that
costs $22.32 (Plus $115 installed). However, after checking with their
"resident certified vette machanic", I was told the fans come on automatically
at 218 degress and CANNOT be reporgrammed!!
I would be REAL curious if anyone has changed their termostat and had
any success (or need) to reprogram the fan(s)... :chevy
The dealer is trying to take you for a ride, Links. Everything can be reprogrammed. How else would Hypertech, Ed Wright, Jet, etc. make any money? I have found that most dealer mechanics I talk to know very little about modifications to vehicles. Maybe this is just because of my area, but they want to make as much money from you as they can. Order a chip or programmer (I'm not completely familiar w/ LT-1 computers) and get the fan to come on at a lower temp. :cheers:
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 726
Likes: 1
Re: Running cooler (linkschamp)
The Chevy dealer that I was referring to actually told me to buy the part
and install it myself... that it was that easy and there was no need to have
them do it - I've changed these things so often when I was younger that
I'm sure its a no-brainer. I really didn't want to get into "mucking" with the
ECM/brain. Getting a chip burned might be a good alternative - have to do
some more checking. Maybe there are some kind of aftermarket fan solution.
You guys on the forum are great - only hope some day I can offer something
to this forum besides questions!! :seeya
and install it myself... that it was that easy and there was no need to have
them do it - I've changed these things so often when I was younger that
I'm sure its a no-brainer. I really didn't want to get into "mucking" with the
ECM/brain. Getting a chip burned might be a good alternative - have to do
some more checking. Maybe there are some kind of aftermarket fan solution.
You guys on the forum are great - only hope some day I can offer something
to this forum besides questions!! :seeya
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 726
Likes: 1
Re: Running cooler (linkschamp)
Follow up after a little research...
This looks like an "automatic" fix for running the fans with a lower-temp stat
available from Corvette Central:
#244455 - $31.95 ea.
85-89 with B4P, 90-95 All.
Low temperature electric cooling fan switch and harness electronically kicks your fan(s) on at 200 degrees and off at 185 degrees. This not only cools down most hot running cars, but keeps the temperature in best performance operating range. Simply remove existing fan switch ( on cars with auxiliary fan) or the port plug (on single fan cars) and install low temp fan switch. The 84-89 with the auxilliary fan requires the harness. The conversion harness is required for installation on all 90-95 Corvettes.
To determine whether your Corvette has an auxiliary fan your vehicle option list will have "B4P" as an RPO code, fan is located in front of the radiator, as well as behind it, and an auxiliary fan relay is mounted at the top of the radiator fan shroud.
Couldn't seem to paste a pic here - but its basically the installation of a
new plug sensor - sure sounds simple... :smash:
This looks like an "automatic" fix for running the fans with a lower-temp stat
available from Corvette Central:
#244455 - $31.95 ea.
85-89 with B4P, 90-95 All.
Low temperature electric cooling fan switch and harness electronically kicks your fan(s) on at 200 degrees and off at 185 degrees. This not only cools down most hot running cars, but keeps the temperature in best performance operating range. Simply remove existing fan switch ( on cars with auxiliary fan) or the port plug (on single fan cars) and install low temp fan switch. The 84-89 with the auxilliary fan requires the harness. The conversion harness is required for installation on all 90-95 Corvettes.
To determine whether your Corvette has an auxiliary fan your vehicle option list will have "B4P" as an RPO code, fan is located in front of the radiator, as well as behind it, and an auxiliary fan relay is mounted at the top of the radiator fan shroud.
Couldn't seem to paste a pic here - but its basically the installation of a
new plug sensor - sure sounds simple... :smash:
