LT1 Running Temp
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
From: Loughborough, UK
LT1 Running Temp
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?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 175
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From: Loughborough, UK
Re: LT1 Running Temp (mitymek)
Pics of all my Vettes can be seen at:
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All we need now in the UK is some decent weather!! :steering:
www.corvettecentral.co.uk
All we need now in the UK is some decent weather!! :steering:
Pro
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 550
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From: Hesperia California
Re: LT1 Running Temp (Darkgh0st)
Question
I am going to replace my radiator and hoses hopefully this next week. I can get a new alum. replacement for $150.00 (for peace of mind) and would like to do all the little tricks to keep my car running cooler. Drives me nuts to watch the temp run at 230 around town.
Here's the question: If we cool our cars down to a nice 180-195 by installing 160 thermostats and other methods, does this not effect the emmissions, computers and other sensors in our motors?
I am all for cool but Calif. is death on emmissions.
Thanks
Russ :steering:
I am going to replace my radiator and hoses hopefully this next week. I can get a new alum. replacement for $150.00 (for peace of mind) and would like to do all the little tricks to keep my car running cooler. Drives me nuts to watch the temp run at 230 around town.
Here's the question: If we cool our cars down to a nice 180-195 by installing 160 thermostats and other methods, does this not effect the emmissions, computers and other sensors in our motors?
I am all for cool but Calif. is death on emmissions.
Thanks
Russ :steering:
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
From: Loughborough, UK
Re: LT1 Running Temp (Movnviolation)
With regard to temp and emmissions.......yes!
That is yes the temp will effect the emmissions but I would speculate that once your engine is at 'normal running temp' which I would deem to be 180-190 degrees emmissions should be stable. Any furher heat build up is not likely to cause any further complete combustion or decomposition of harmful emmissions due to any related emmission control equipment.
I would also assume that the fuel computer compensates accordingly, i.e when the engine is cold, richer mixture but again once you are anywhere near the temps we are talking about the computer is just altering fuel/air ratio based on it normal measuring abilities, air mass meter etc?
This is my view, as you can probably tell I don't know a great deal of the technicalities, I wouldn't imagine you'd not be doing your engine any favours should you decide to try and reduce your temps too much.
What's others opinions, this is the exact info I was hoping for someone with the knowledge to put forward??
:confused:
[Modified by corvettecentral, 5:52 PM 3/4/2004]
That is yes the temp will effect the emmissions but I would speculate that once your engine is at 'normal running temp' which I would deem to be 180-190 degrees emmissions should be stable. Any furher heat build up is not likely to cause any further complete combustion or decomposition of harmful emmissions due to any related emmission control equipment.
I would also assume that the fuel computer compensates accordingly, i.e when the engine is cold, richer mixture but again once you are anywhere near the temps we are talking about the computer is just altering fuel/air ratio based on it normal measuring abilities, air mass meter etc?
This is my view, as you can probably tell I don't know a great deal of the technicalities, I wouldn't imagine you'd not be doing your engine any favours should you decide to try and reduce your temps too much.
What's others opinions, this is the exact info I was hoping for someone with the knowledge to put forward??
:confused:
[Modified by corvettecentral, 5:52 PM 3/4/2004]
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 96
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From: Richmond VA
Re: LT1 Running Temp (corvettecentral)
[quote] I wouldn't imagine you'd not be doing your engine any favours should you decide to try and reduce your temps too much.
What's others opinions, this is the exact info I was hoping for someone with the knowledge to put forward??
:confused:
I asked the same question of my mechanic when I considered a lower-temp thermostat in my 96. He replied that these engines are designed to run optimally in the low 200's... and recommended I NOT try to lower the temp.
[Modified by LBA50, 5:13 PM 3/4/2004]
What's others opinions, this is the exact info I was hoping for someone with the knowledge to put forward??
:confused:
I asked the same question of my mechanic when I considered a lower-temp thermostat in my 96. He replied that these engines are designed to run optimally in the low 200's... and recommended I NOT try to lower the temp.
[Modified by LBA50, 5:13 PM 3/4/2004]
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Racer
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 283
Likes: 0
From: stanwood wash
Re: LT1 Running Temp (oldtimer)
....say oldtimer.....i just purchased my third c4...the first lt1.....since the last car i had was a 90.........and i must say that i have been disturbed as well with the temps running around town....especially with a long idle like 5 minutes or more...the temp literally takes off to the 235 mark, when both fans come on. apparently from what you are saying then this normal for the lt1. what happens when one wants to drive to phoenix in the summertime.....how well does the engine and cooling system function in that kind of heat? with airconditioning?.......
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,768
Likes: 33
From: Van Steel Corvettes
St. Jude Donor '12-'13
Re: LT1 Running Temp (corvette1271)
Are you not using the A/C. I've been told the car will run cooler with the a/c on because both fans come on when the a/c is in opperation. Other wise the fans don't click on till 227. Which is a crazy number for the fans to come on. I'm about to drop in a 160 stat and let this puppy cool off.
3rd Gear
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Yuma AZ
Re: LT1 Running Temp (corvette1271)
We live in Yuma, AZ and have had a stock 94 convertible for about a year. Sitting in traffic the temp will climb to 230 and kick the electric fan on. It never climbs above this temp and at 35 plus it stays about 210. I am not comfortable with the engine running at these temps but I have been told the LT1 is designed for it.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 283
Likes: 0
From: stanwood wash
Re: LT1 Running Temp (gdponder)
.....so you are pulling and a/c...or are talking top down only?....what i am have been reading is that when a/c is on fans remain on and do not allow the temp to go higher. anyone know where a probe is located in the radiator?...and if that is prone to falure?.....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,768
Likes: 33
From: Van Steel Corvettes
St. Jude Donor '12-'13
Re: LT1 Running Temp (corvette1271)
what i am have been reading is that when a/c is on fans remain on and do not allow the temp to go higher.
3rd Gear
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Yuma AZ
Re: LT1 Running Temp (corvette1271)
After reading all the notes from you owmers I did a check. When I got home from work today the thermometer on our patio read 102. I thought it was a good day for testing the temp on my '94 LT1 automatic. Of course with the top down the wife and I went for a ride around Yuma. I set the digital gauge readout to read the water temp and in the city traffic when the temp read 216 I turned on the A/C and oulled over. After hearing the cooling fan start I let the engine idle and in about 3 minutes the digital temp reading was 205 and in another minute it read 201 and after a wait I didn't think it would go any lower. I turned the A/C back to off and cruised the valley on a great March day. I thank you for all the info, I am impressed with the vast amount of knowledge available from this forum....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 7,625
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From: Director of Bands
St. Jude Donor '08
Re: LT1 Running Temp (corvettecentral)
Why do you want to lower your operating temp? If I understand what i have heard and read, these engines run at their best around 200 deg. What advantage are you seeking by running the engine cooler?
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,496
Likes: 1
From: alaska
Re: LT1 Running Temp (eschoendorff)
What advantage are you seeking by running the engine cooler?
horsepower is the benefit.
to make a long story short,your timing retards as temps climb.
for more info on this check the tech/perfomance section.
horsepower is the benefit.
to make a long story short,your timing retards as temps climb.
for more info on this check the tech/perfomance section.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 7,625
Likes: 4
From: Director of Bands
St. Jude Donor '08
Re: LT1 Running Temp (mitymek)
Yes, but these engines are designed for a more complete and efficient combustion at higher temps. Wouldn't lowering the operating temp simply undermine the basic functional design of the engine / engine management? Are you really going to realize any substantial gains by lowering the operating temp?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 6,715
Likes: 2
From: Santa Teresa New Mexico
Re: LT1 Running Temp (corvettecentral)
UK? Is that in Texas?
The thermo chip will not affect emissions. The chip changes nothing at test rpm. Running cooler will not affect emissions.
The chip is with in standard parameters in the emissions test range.
My best to the richest woman in the world, the Queen.
The thermo chip will not affect emissions. The chip changes nothing at test rpm. Running cooler will not affect emissions.
The chip is with in standard parameters in the emissions test range.
My best to the richest woman in the world, the Queen.
