C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

Coolant Advice

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Old Aug 26, 2011 | 11:25 AM
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Default Coolant Advice

I just replaced the radiator on my 96. Prior to yanking the old radiator I flushed the system as much as possible to get a fresh start. I know that my year model calls for DexCool but I saw something called Valvoline Super Coolant that is supposted work really good in the Houston (100+) heat we have been having. Anyone every used this in their rides?
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Old Aug 26, 2011 | 11:31 AM
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Was hoping this was going to be about Water Wetter due to my recent experience... but I'll go ahead and share it anyways. With a flushed system and new water pump I was running between 210-220 degrees and then I added Water Wetter and after it got into the system for a day or two I was seeing About 200-205 max during the day. And now at night between 193-197. And this is in Florida!

(On a LT1 with 47,000)
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Old Aug 26, 2011 | 11:38 AM
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That's been my goal. New radiator with increased capacity to help keep the coolant at a reasonable temp. Now I am trying to find out the best coolant for the job. I am not worried about anti-freeze, I'll deal with that when (if) it ever gets cold here again. Right now I am just trying to fight the heat.
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Old Aug 26, 2011 | 01:37 PM
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New water pump and rad here too in vegas. water wetter. i run on the freeway 188 in 112 degreee weather. if car sits at light it still goes up to 220, then when moving back to 188.
When it's cooler it stays less than 200
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Old Aug 26, 2011 | 02:22 PM
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Water Wetter and distilled water here in California. If freezing temps are not a concern, ethylene glycol antifreeze is not needed and cooling efficiency is increased without the antifreeze.

Last edited by 383vett; Aug 26, 2011 at 03:52 PM.
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Old Aug 26, 2011 | 02:41 PM
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waterwetter - I may have to do this for the moment... my car is having a definite running warm issue even at idle here in AZ. may be time for a new water pump or something (or me cleaning off my dang radiator... but there is so much crap in the way! )
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Old Aug 26, 2011 | 05:40 PM
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Antifreeze also prevents internal corrosion. If you ever opened up an engine that ran straight water you'd see the benefits of running antifreeze even in warm climates. But, you do not need the same antifreeze to water ratio in warm climates.

I run about 30% antifreeze and keep my radiator enclosure clean and run 190 or less on the highway in Southern California. I had my chip re-burned and changed my main fan on temp to 210 and hardly see it creep higher.

oh yeh, Water Wetter is a big help.
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Old Aug 26, 2011 | 05:57 PM
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Originally Posted by Corvette40
Antifreeze also prevents internal corrosion. If you ever opened up an engine that ran straight water you'd see the benefits of running antifreeze even in warm climates. But, you do not need the same antifreeze to water ratio in warm climates.

I run about 30% antifreeze and keep my radiator enclosure clean and run 190 or less on the highway in Southern California. I had my chip re-burned and changed my main fan on temp to 210 and hardly see it creep higher.

oh yeh, Water Wetter is a big help.
Water Wetter has anticorrosive protection. The car will run cooler without antifreeze. Distilled water helps control corrosion also.
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Old Sep 17, 2011 | 08:18 PM
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Originally Posted by 383vett
Water Wetter has anticorrosive protection. The car will run cooler without antifreeze. Distilled water helps control corrosion also.
You are absolutely right. I use only distilled water also.
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Old Sep 17, 2011 | 11:24 PM
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Originally Posted by Corvette40
You are absolutely right. I use only distilled water also.
its not going to prevent electrolysis.....the flow of a charge thru the plain water that takes aluminum molecules with it......


running dexcool because it takes much longer to degrade and turn acidic, (5+ yrs or thousands of cycles) with water wetter in a big all aluminum radiator allows mine to sit in Houston traffic and idle at 189 (w/o a/c) a/c on will run from 190 to 210 in traffic. The more aluminum in the engine, the more reasons to run dex.

Last edited by leesvet; Sep 17, 2011 at 11:29 PM.
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