Lower Temps
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 527
Likes: 23
From: Mishawaka Indiana
Lower Temps
With the opti replaced on my 92 now, I want to turn my attention to the cooling. Everything operates correctly but just don't like the idea of the temp going over 200 degrees.
1.Should I just keep the climate control on so the fans continuously run.
2.Put a lower temp fan switch in, would probably replace the fans with it since Ive seen some kits.
3.Buy a chip that's programmed to turn the fans on earlier and "maybe" gain a bit of performance.
4.Buy an aftermarket radiator.
5.Have my chip reprogrammed.
Any other options?
I would like to keep the cost low since there is much more I want to do to the car. Thanks!
1.Should I just keep the climate control on so the fans continuously run.
2.Put a lower temp fan switch in, would probably replace the fans with it since Ive seen some kits.
3.Buy a chip that's programmed to turn the fans on earlier and "maybe" gain a bit of performance.
4.Buy an aftermarket radiator.
5.Have my chip reprogrammed.
Any other options?
I would like to keep the cost low since there is much more I want to do to the car. Thanks!
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Compound in the Grove, Ga.
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St. Jude Donor '16
I had my fans reprogrammed, never gets over 210.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,107
Likes: 171
From: Dublin CA
I had my fans on the 95 re-programed to come on earlier. Replaced the thermostat with a 160 (it did help). Want to replace the water pump with a FLOW-KOOLER pump. They now make them for the LT1. The FLOW-KOOLER pump worked wonders on my 85.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,170
Likes: 86
I agree that the LT1 shouldn't run as hot as they were originally designed to from the factory. From my understanding they were designed to run that hot in order to get a complete fuel burn and emit as low as possible emissions.
There is nothing wrong with wanting it to run cooler. One way, after you have put a cooler thermostat in it is to put a temperature switch into the side of your block. JET makes a kit for that. The better way is to get your fans reprogrammed or a chip made for your PCM. I bought the stuff to make the chip, so I could also increase the timing, I just haven't done it yet, so I can't comment on how easy or hard it is.
There is nothing wrong with wanting it to run cooler. One way, after you have put a cooler thermostat in it is to put a temperature switch into the side of your block. JET makes a kit for that. The better way is to get your fans reprogrammed or a chip made for your PCM. I bought the stuff to make the chip, so I could also increase the timing, I just haven't done it yet, so I can't comment on how easy or hard it is.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,219
Likes: 696
From: Clifton Park, NY ............Clearwater, FL ... 85 Original Owner
With the opti replaced on my 92 now, I want to turn my attention to the cooling. Everything operates correctly but just don't like the idea of the temp going over 200 degrees.
1.Should I just keep the climate control on so the fans continuously run.
2.Put a lower temp fan switch in, would probably replace the fans with it since Ive seen some kits.
3.Buy a chip that's programmed to turn the fans on earlier and "maybe" gain a bit of performance.
4.Buy an aftermarket radiator.
5.Have my chip reprogrammed.
Any other options?
I would like to keep the cost low since there is much more I want to do to the car. Thanks!
1.Should I just keep the climate control on so the fans continuously run.
2.Put a lower temp fan switch in, would probably replace the fans with it since Ive seen some kits.
3.Buy a chip that's programmed to turn the fans on earlier and "maybe" gain a bit of performance.
4.Buy an aftermarket radiator.
5.Have my chip reprogrammed.
Any other options?
I would like to keep the cost low since there is much more I want to do to the car. Thanks!
Leave it alone
Last edited by Cruisinfanatic; May 27, 2016 at 03:45 PM.
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Team Owner
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From: Sitting in his Nowhere land Hanover Pa
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get your cooling system up to gm specs, flush your cooling system, the includes, the block and radiator. replace any hoses that look suspicious or if they are original just replace all of them, fill with the correct 50/50 of anti freeze and distilled water and leave alone 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2007
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Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Sitting in his Nowhere land Hanover Pa
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When you do things that hurt the driveablity of the car that proves your dumber then the GM engineers 99.9% of the time they were spot on on making your car the best it could be
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2007
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Last edited by ovrebo1; May 27, 2016 at 05:23 PM.
Team Owner
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From: Sitting in his Nowhere land Hanover Pa
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Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Rolla Missouri
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St. Jude Donor '10 thru '25
get your cooling system up to gm specs, flush your cooling system, the includes, the block and radiator. replace any hoses that look suspicious or if they are original just replace all of them, fill with the correct 50/50 of anti freeze and distilled water and leave alone Completely stock '96 LT4 with over 120,000 miles.
Still looks and runs like new.
Nothing at all wrong with the factory temps.
With a modern cooling system with the proper coolant and pressure, the boiling point is close 265°F
200°F - 230°F is not causing any harm or damage at all.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 21,543
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From: Park City Utah
Oh please....let's not be alarmists here, cool? There are absolutely zero discernible "drivability issues" with the car running UNDER 200* compared to OVER 200*.
In fact, this properly maintained cooling system that everyone is recommending will keep engine temps well below 200* at virtually any speed over 30 mph, in virtually any ambient temp.
So.... who here is experiencing "drivability issues" when driving their stock car w/a stock cooling system, on the highway?? I'm not.
.
In fact, this properly maintained cooling system that everyone is recommending will keep engine temps well below 200* at virtually any speed over 30 mph, in virtually any ambient temp.
So.... who here is experiencing "drivability issues" when driving their stock car w/a stock cooling system, on the highway?? I'm not.
.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Sitting in his Nowhere land Hanover Pa
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Oh please....let's not be alarmists here, cool? There are absolutely zero discernible "drivability issues" with the car running UNDER 200* compared to OVER 200*.
In fact, this properly maintained cooling system that everyone is recommending will keep engine temps well below 200* at virtually any speed over 30 mph, in virtually any ambient temp.
So.... who here is experiencing "drivability issues" when driving their stock car w/a stock cooling system, on the highway?? I'm not.
.
In fact, this properly maintained cooling system that everyone is recommending will keep engine temps well below 200* at virtually any speed over 30 mph, in virtually any ambient temp.
So.... who here is experiencing "drivability issues" when driving their stock car w/a stock cooling system, on the highway?? I'm not.
.
With that said my stock 94 LT1 with 16X,K miles never gets above 200*. Unless I'm stuck in traffic on a hot day.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 21,543
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From: Park City Utah
Ahhh, got it. In the context of this thread, it sounded as if you were implying that altering the car to get it to run under 200* would cause drivability issues. I guess I misunderstood your post, so my apologies. Thanks for the clarification. You're right that many do mess up a good car when they start modding.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Rolla Missouri
2021 C4 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist
St. Jude Donor '10 thru '25
At any speed over 30 mph, your coolant temps should never get over 200°F.
If it does, you very likely have an airflow blockage.
Those 200°F - 230°F temps I mentioned above are only if sitting still stuck in traffic.
In other words, very little to no airflow across the radiator until the fans come on at their factory designed settings.
Then the temp falls back down until the fan off setting is met.
That cycle continues as long as your sitting still.
Once your moving again, the temps will fall below 200°F (usually in the 190°F - 197°f range) and remain there.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 4,469
Likes: 275
From: Naples FL
200 is pretty cool. Leave it alone.
Here's an article I wrote on cooling systems a couple of years back.
Richard Newton
Here's an article I wrote on cooling systems a couple of years back.
Richard Newton