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

Ideal Coolant temprature???

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Old May 29, 2002 | 02:28 AM
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Default Ideal Coolant temprature???

Does anyone know what the ideal coolant temp should be for a C4?
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Old May 29, 2002 | 02:38 AM
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Default Re: Ideal Coolant temprature??? (kenfusion)

ideal should be about 170-185 with oil about 15 degrees hotter than that
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Old May 29, 2002 | 02:43 AM
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Default Re: Ideal Coolant temprature??? (vader86)

ideal should be about 170-185 with oil about 15 degrees hotter than that
:yesnod:
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Old May 29, 2002 | 04:12 AM
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Default Re: Ideal Coolant temprature??? (BaseballDude)

That's a GOOD temperature. Chevy will say they should run right around 200º, but I personally say they're full of it.
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Old May 29, 2002 | 10:12 AM
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Default Re: Ideal Coolant temprature??? (TIMSPEED)

Thanks guys! I just replaced my radiator and the temp sits at 169 to 175 now. I was afraid I was running a bit too cool.

:cheers:
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Old May 29, 2002 | 12:03 PM
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Default Re: Ideal Coolant temprature??? (kenfusion)

Even in traffic? boy I'd really like that, I run closer to 195-200 with a 180 thermostat.
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Old May 29, 2002 | 12:05 PM
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Default Re: Ideal Coolant temprature??? (jg84)

mines at a constant 200
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Old May 29, 2002 | 01:50 PM
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Default Re: Ideal Coolant temprature??? (jg84)

I just put the new radiator in last night, so I have not been in heavy traffic or our famous 100 degree weather yet. I'll do a reply post later this week once I have a chance to put it through some traffic and warmer weather.

:cheers:
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Old May 29, 2002 | 03:33 PM
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Default Re: Ideal Coolant temprature??? (kenfusion)

The IDEAL temperature for longevity is 200deg. Chevy is correct. You see cylinder wall wear and ring wear is near negligable once the motor is at 200 degrees. The amount of cylinder wear on your motor increases exponetially for every degree below 200 you run your motor at.

You can't argue with this, its fact!:yesnod:

Now you will get a slight increase in horsepower for every degree below 200 too. This is why the drag racers run a 160deg thermostat. But, then again most racers I know don't mind changing a motor out every year or two.

If you want more info go read some of the Small Block Books by David Vizard.
:yesnod: :yesnod:
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Old May 29, 2002 | 04:50 PM
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Default Re: Ideal Coolant temprature??? (kenfusion)

It's a good idea to regularily get the oil temps around 215-220 to get rid of moisture and volatiles that accumulate.
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Old May 29, 2002 | 07:30 PM
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Default Re: Ideal Coolant temprature??? (John Row)

lately mine has been running 194-210. That's moving as the low and sitting still as the high with both fans running (starting at 204). Do some custom programming, it helps!!!
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Old Jun 3, 2002 | 12:51 PM
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Default Re: Ideal Coolant temprature??? (kenfusion)

Thanks for all the feedback guys. We are keeping cool in Texas; the new radiator is working great! :) In heavy traffic the temp has not gone over 205 degrees yet. Under normal driving conditions it now averages 175 to 185 degrees. Bring on the 100+ degree weather I am ready!

:cheers:
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Old Jun 3, 2002 | 01:07 PM
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Default Re: Ideal Coolant temprature??? (kenfusion)

Mine stock runs at 190 on the highway, about 200-210 in town traffic and about 220-230 in heavy slow traffic. Perfectly normal.
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Old Jun 3, 2002 | 02:04 PM
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Default Re: Ideal Coolant temprature??? (kenfusion)

I just replaced my intake manifold gasket, water pump, radiator, and plug wires this weekend (and what a pain in the wahoohoo to boot). Took it out for a spin last night, put the A/C on max, and the temp only got up to about 186 (outside air temp about 75). This is with a GM stock replacement radiator and GM water pump (which comes with a thermostat already installed, I assume it's a 180 T-stat). If it is supposed to run at 200 by factory design, then I must have inadvertently done something better than the factory did. Now if I could only get rid of that exhaust resonance at light throttle (Borla, what else...)
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Old Jun 3, 2002 | 03:15 PM
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Default Re: Ideal Coolant temprature??? (kenfusion)

My car runs best around 190, now getting it to stay there is a whole new problem.
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Old Jun 3, 2002 | 03:19 PM
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Default

L98 makes great power in teh 150-170 range, LTx makes great power in the 170-190 range, LSx makes great power a little higher.
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Old Jun 3, 2002 | 03:47 PM
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Default Re: Ideal Coolant temprature??? (vader86)

ideal should be about 170-185 with oil about 15 degrees hotter than that
Then why would the factory install a 195 t-stat? Also read where the oil needs to get to 212 degrees to burn off the moisture that it has picked up.

tom...
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Old Jun 3, 2002 | 03:52 PM
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Default Re: Ideal Coolant temprature??? (Tom73)

ideal should be about 170-185 with oil about 15 degrees hotter than that

Then why would the factory install a 195 t-stat? Also read where the oil needs to get to 212 degrees to burn off the moisture that it has picked up.

tom...
The cars with 195 t-stats aren't meant to be lower than 195.

If 212 is meant to "burn off" water in the oil, it's going to turn into water vapor. Where is that water vapor going to go? No where. As soon as your engine cools it will turn back into water and get into your oil again. This is why frequent oil changes are good :). Course you shouldn't have water in your oil in the first place! :eek:


My LT1 (before i did the engine), always ran between 194 and 200. This is what GM intended these engines to run at. I don't agree with GM in them running about this temperature, but as you can see they are lasting a pretty long time otherwise.


[Modified by Glock'94, 1:57 PM 6/3/2002]
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Old Jun 3, 2002 | 04:25 PM
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Default Re: Ideal Coolant temprature??? (Glock'94)

If 212 is meant to "burn off" water in the oil, it's going to turn into water vapor. Where is that water vapor going to go? No where. As soon as your engine cools it will turn back into water and get into your oil again. This is why frequent oil changes are good :). Course you shouldn't have water in your oil in the first place!
The moisture will turn to a vapor and be sucked out through the PCV. That is why an engine needs to get up to temp. If you only do short trips and do not get the engine up to temp then it will require frequent oil changes. If all trips are longer and gets everything warmed up right then you can go longer between oil changes.

tom...


[Modified by Tom73, 2:25 PM 6/3/2002]
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Old Jun 3, 2002 | 04:34 PM
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Default Re: Ideal Coolant temprature??? (Tom73)

If 212 is meant to "burn off" water in the oil, it's going to turn into water vapor. Where is that water vapor going to go? No where. As soon as your engine cools it will turn back into water and get into your oil again. This is why frequent oil changes are good :). Course you shouldn't have water in your oil in the first place!
The moisture will turn to a vapor and be sucked out through the PCV. That is why an engine needs to get up to temp. If you only do short trips and do not get the engine up to temp then it will require frequent oil changes. If all trips are longer and gets everything warmed up right then you can go longer between oil changes.

tom...


[Modified by Tom73, 2:25 PM 6/3/2002]
Ah yes, forgot about that darn PCV valve. I hate those things :).
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