LT1 Running Temp
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 6,310
Likes: 36
From: DSM IA & Lake of the Ozarks
Re: LT1 Running Temp (corvettecentral)
Running your LT-1 too cool (below 180) will result in less efficient combustion & higher exhuast emissions per my discussion with Gordon Kilebrew last year at Bloomington. He told me that motor will run just fine at 215-230 as that is what it was designed to do. I know we always think cooler is better, but there is a point where you can get them to run too cool.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,496
Likes: 1
From: alaska
Re: LT1 Running Temp (corvettecentral)
I have just carried out a throttle body bypass and replaced the stock 180degree thermostat with a Hypertech 160degree stat.
Prior to these mods my coolant was running between 194 - 202 degrees under 'normal' driving conditions. Since the mod I am now down to 174 - 185.
Is this OK??
I'm hoping this is going to be a better operating temp?
Prior to these mods my coolant was running between 194 - 202 degrees under 'normal' driving conditions. Since the mod I am now down to 174 - 185.
Is this OK??
I'm hoping this is going to be a better operating temp?
considering all vehicles i have owned and driven in the last 30 years have been HOT at 210 degrees or so.that is if it has a light instead of a gage you'd be pulling over and lifting the hood with great concern.
220 range and your generaly boiling over.
the only reason that makes sense to me as to why high temps are "normal" in the lt1's would be the aluminum heads with the temp sensor in the head where engine temps are highest.
its that train of thought that lets me drive the car at the 200-212 deg i see reported.
personally i think gm dropped the ball on the cooling system.aux fan trigger by the ac?
tweaking the lt1 cooling system parameters is a common cheap way to gain performance.
try a standing start w.o.t. to 60 mph test at 170 deg once.then try again at 200 deg.
you can literally feel the difference in pull with mine.
its all in what you do with the car.if you just drive it around and dont ever get on it then stock setups fine.
when that cobra starts toying with you at a stop light light you will be glad to see your temp at 185 instead of 213 tho if your feeling like seein what the front of it looks like in your mirror.
move your iat yet?
Racer
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 283
Likes: 0
From: stanwood wash
Re: LT1 Running Temp (2HIP4U)
...this what it is all about here to find out what is normal when i did not know what is normal since this 94 lt1 of mine is the hottest car i have ever seen.......if it is designed to run at that tempurature, then fine, that is where i want it. i just needed background information concerning the matter and i want to thank everyone for their input....i feel much better about the topic, because i have found that the car that i have does run as designed.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,375
Likes: 1
From: Northern CA
Re: LT1 Running Temp (eschoendorff)
Engines do very well at 180F. 160 is not as good except for a bit more power.
Another reason to keep temps down is that for roughly every 10C (18F) temperature increase, most chemical reactions go about twice as fast.
The rubber in our hoses and the plastic bits deteriorate faster the hotter it is.
Another reason to keep temps down is that for roughly every 10C (18F) temperature increase, most chemical reactions go about twice as fast.
The rubber in our hoses and the plastic bits deteriorate faster the hotter it is.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 6,715
Likes: 2
From: Santa Teresa New Mexico
Re: LT1 Running Temp (xs650)
Add 20 degrees to the thermostat rating. 160 thermo = 180 degree water temps before the exchange. 180 = 200 before the exchange.
200 is hot. 180 is good. In order to run 160 you'd have to have a 140 thermo.
Its factored on the over all condition of the cooling system and the air temps in your area. Wet cold climate UK I'd run a 180 or higher.
In California I use a 160. Temps run between 33 to 110.
200 is hot. 180 is good. In order to run 160 you'd have to have a 140 thermo.
Its factored on the over all condition of the cooling system and the air temps in your area. Wet cold climate UK I'd run a 180 or higher.
In California I use a 160. Temps run between 33 to 110.
