My temp. issue !
Racer
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 328
Likes: 2
From: Mesa AZ
I had asked advice on my C4 running what I thought was hot, 220-225 and was told by several that those temps. were normal. I'm old school and with that said, anything over 210 is time to get out and see whats wrong. So, okay, these Vettes ran that hot, doesn't make it normal. After pulling what Chevy called a radiator, I found that they had at least left plenty of room to fit the proper radiator in these cars. I also added the high flow water pump, which is only offered on C4's with this heat problem, and a push fan with manuel switch (haven't needed it so far). Temps running down the road in 98 degree Texas heat, 182 ! Sitting in traffic, 195 or less, as I said, haven't used the push fan yet.
Okay, now this old man feels good about cruising in this machine. Everything I did cost under $250, well worth the money ! So you guys still running 220-225, you don't have to be just because Chevy dropped the ball on these cars. Stick a S-10, 4 cylinder truck radiator in a Vette, What were they thinking ???
Thanks for all the help from everybody on this subject, now anyone know about these 700R automatics ?
Thanks again,
Claybird49
Okay, now this old man feels good about cruising in this machine. Everything I did cost under $250, well worth the money ! So you guys still running 220-225, you don't have to be just because Chevy dropped the ball on these cars. Stick a S-10, 4 cylinder truck radiator in a Vette, What were they thinking ???
Thanks for all the help from everybody on this subject, now anyone know about these 700R automatics ?
Thanks again,
Claybird49
Tommy
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 41
Likes: 5
Yo Bird
I had asked advice on my C4 running what I thought was hot, 220-225 and was told by several that those temps. were normal. I'm old school and with that said, anything over 210 is time to get out and see whats wrong. So, okay, these Vettes ran that hot, doesn't make it normal. After pulling what Chevy called a radiator, I found that they had at least left plenty of room to fit the proper radiator in these cars. I also added the high flow water pump, which is only offered on C4's with this heat problem, and a push fan with manuel switch (haven't needed it so far). Temps running down the road in 98 degree Texas heat, 182 ! Sitting in traffic, 195 or less, as I said, haven't used the push fan yet.
Okay, now this old man feels good about cruising in this machine. Everything I did cost under $250, well worth the money ! So you guys still running 220-225, you don't have to be just because Chevy dropped the ball on these cars. Stick a S-10, 4 cylinder truck radiator in a Vette, What were they thinking ???
Thanks for all the help from everybody on this subject, now anyone know about these 700R automatics ?
Thanks again,
Claybird49
Okay, now this old man feels good about cruising in this machine. Everything I did cost under $250, well worth the money ! So you guys still running 220-225, you don't have to be just because Chevy dropped the ball on these cars. Stick a S-10, 4 cylinder truck radiator in a Vette, What were they thinking ???
Thanks for all the help from everybody on this subject, now anyone know about these 700R automatics ?
Thanks again,
Claybird49
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
I've run a 160deg T-stat in my '88s for 14yrs with great results. They easily passed the OH E-check, built more HP at the strip and produce plenty of heat in winter driving.
Since cruzin temps never rise above 175deg F the ECM never calls for EGR==another plus for lower engine temps.
Since cruzin temps never rise above 175deg F the ECM never calls for EGR==another plus for lower engine temps.
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 41
Likes: 5
Just the thermostat?
I've run a 160deg T-stat in my '88s for 14yrs with great results. They easily passed the OH E-check, built more HP at the strip and produce plenty of heat in winter driving.
Since cruzin temps never rise above 175deg F the ECM never calls for EGR==another plus for lower engine temps.
Since cruzin temps never rise above 175deg F the ECM never calls for EGR==another plus for lower engine temps.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,439
Likes: 23
From: mesa az
Typical day here in AZ when it's 108 degrees and up running the A/C. Here's the gauge before shutting the car off in my garage. Exactly why I won't drive it in the summer during the day. Early morning or after dark only. Without the A/C running I run 200-220 at red lights.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 3,065
Likes: 39
Typical day here in AZ when it's 108 degrees and up running the A/C. Here's the gauge before shutting the car off in my garage. Exactly why I won't drive it in the summer during the day. Early morning or after dark only. Without the A/C running I run 200-220 at red lights.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,227
Likes: 697
From: Clifton Park, NY ............Clearwater, FL ... 85 Original Owner
Typical day here in AZ when it's 108 degrees and up running the A/C. Here's the gauge before shutting the car off in my garage. Exactly why I won't drive it in the summer during the day. Early morning or after dark only. Without the A/C running I run 200-220 at red lights.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,439
Likes: 23
From: mesa az
The entire system is new as of 12,000 miles ago. Not a leaf or any other debris. Until you drive around on streets that have a surface temperature of 150-160 degrees it's hard for you to understand. In the winter my operating Temps are 180. As for the oil temperature, I called Castrol and they told me not to run a oil temperature of 300 for more than 20-30 minutes. Shut it off and let it cool. I change the oil at 2500 miles and this next one I'm switching to Mobil 1. Reason I've not used synthetic yet is because all I can find is 10W-30 or 5W. I prefer 20W-50.
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Pro
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 566
Likes: 163
From: Earleton Fl
So you just change the thermostat only? The garage I deal with told me if I did that my check engine light would keep coming on, I was also thinking about a manual switch for the fan but he told me that would cause the check engine light to come as well. I trust the info from this forum actually more than I trust a work on em all mechanic with no disrespect intended but the guys on here specialize in the C4, am ol skool myself so when she starts creeping past 210 I am looking for a way out to get her moving again, thanks for any info, you guys are stand up..cheers
NO problems with the check engine light...I haven't seen it above 200 since they did the work!
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: Huntsville Texas
Have a good one !
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 54
Likes: 2
From: PA
The reason I ask is that I have an engine ping that happens under load at temps above 200.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 325
Likes: 7
From: Princeton Jct. New Jersey
The L83 x-fires run a bit hot too. My '84 runs normally at 195 but if I'm sitting idling it raises to 220 before the fan turns on and will cycle between 200 and 220 all day (ok, an exaggeration, I've never let it idle more than 20 minutes 
). And yes, that's exactly how they were designed to meet the new federal emission standards in '84. Should it effect the engine life? No, not if you use decent oil and maintain your cooling system properly.
). And yes, that's exactly how they were designed to meet the new federal emission standards in '84. Should it effect the engine life? No, not if you use decent oil and maintain your cooling system properly.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: Huntsville Texas
All I'm saying and have been saying is your vette does not have to run at those temps, cooler engine = longer life, period ! 185 beats 220 any day. Don't really know what everyone is arguring about ??? Run cool or run hot, your choice.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,590
Likes: 60
From: ft myers FL/Munising MI
Pro
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 566
Likes: 163
From: Earleton Fl
Before the reprogramming. I had a switch so I could manually turn them on. The last owner had wired around the two fan relays, with a switch next to the steering column.thumbs:
This was done on my 94 LT-1.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 325
Likes: 7
From: Princeton Jct. New Jersey
As for cooler=longer life, I'm not sure that equation can be supported by any data, at least not at the operating temperature ranges these engines normally run. About the only thing running cooler will do is provide some small additional margin against overheating should your cooling system fail (possibly at the expense of lower efficiency and higher CO emissions).
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: Huntsville Texas
If you're hearing a ping you might need higher octane fuel or your knock sensor may be malfunctioning.
As for cooler=longer life, I'm not sure that equation can be supported by any data, at least not at the operating temperature ranges these engines normally run. About the only thing running cooler will do is provide some small additional margin against overheating should your cooling system fail (possibly at the expense of lower efficiency and higher CO emissions).
As for cooler=longer life, I'm not sure that equation can be supported by any data, at least not at the operating temperature ranges these engines normally run. About the only thing running cooler will do is provide some small additional margin against overheating should your cooling system fail (possibly at the expense of lower efficiency and higher CO emissions).
None of this matters to me anymore anyway, I'm very happy with my upgrades and operating temps now !
Good night America and thank you for your time !
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 41
Likes: 5
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 54
Likes: 2
From: PA
If you're hearing a ping you might need higher octane fuel or your knock sensor may be malfunctioning.
As for cooler=longer life, I'm not sure that equation can be supported by any data, at least not at the operating temperature ranges these engines normally run. About the only thing running cooler will do is provide some small additional margin against overheating should your cooling system fail (possibly at the expense of lower efficiency and higher CO emissions).
As for cooler=longer life, I'm not sure that equation can be supported by any data, at least not at the operating temperature ranges these engines normally run. About the only thing running cooler will do is provide some small additional margin against overheating should your cooling system fail (possibly at the expense of lower efficiency and higher CO emissions).
Racer
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 325
Likes: 7
From: Princeton Jct. New Jersey
I agree that 220-225 deg.F isn't the normal operating temp. for these engines since the standard equipment thermostat is 195, but it's not unusual to have coolant temps increase to 220-225 during prolonged idling under hot conditions without damage to the engine. Normal operating temps are 190 to 200 with oil temps generally about 10-15 deg. cooler (at least that's the readings I see on my L83). Since engine life is a function of wear which depends largely on oil viscosity, oil temps. are the most critical measure when gaging engine longevity. Most modern multi-viscosity motor oils can tolerate these temperature excursions without seriously impairing their performance or the service life of the engine. Maybe we should start a new thread on oil temps and engine wear 
.
(BTW, it's 90F with a heat index near 100F here today in central NJ).
.(BTW, it's 90F with a heat index near 100F here today in central NJ).