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TB Coolant Bypass Mod Questions

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Old Sep 30, 2019 | 11:04 AM
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Default TB Coolant Bypass Mod Questions

I have two questions about this mod for my '89:

1) I live in Utah where the low temps in the winter can get down into the 20s and rarely into the teens. I don't drive my car in the winter and it is always parked in the garage. I do, however, start the car often in the winter just to let it run for a little bit. With that said, is it too cold in my area to do this mod?

2) By doing this mod, does air get into the cooling system? Just wondering if I would need to burp the system to get any air out.

Thanks!
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Old Oct 1, 2019 | 01:12 PM
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[QUOTE=Reynolds Rides;1600237967

By doing this mod, does air get into the cooling system? .......![/QUOTE]

NO.

The only benefit from this mod is to eliminate a hose from the engine bay.
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Old Oct 1, 2019 | 03:08 PM
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Go ahead. Make your stuff easier to get to. Sure, there will be a bit of coolant spill but it will not be much at all. It will be made up easily. Don't worry. You can start the car and I'll bet the heat from the engine will keep it from freezing up unless it can get so cold that you should not even be out there.
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Old Oct 1, 2019 | 03:32 PM
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Originally Posted by Reynolds Rides
I have two questions about this mod for my '89:

1) I live in Utah where the low temps in the winter can get down into the 20s and rarely into the teens. I don't drive my car in the winter and it is always parked in the garage. I do, however, start the car often in the winter just to let it run for a little bit. With that said, is it too cold in my area to do this mod?

2) By doing this mod, does air get into the cooling system? Just wondering if I would need to burp the system to get any air out.

Thanks!
I live in UT also. Park City, in fact. I've done this "mod" to both my 'Vettes.
1. It's not too cold.
1.5 And stop starting your car in the winter. Does more harm, than good.
2. A little air MAY get in while you are swapping hose connections...but the system is self bleeding. That air will end up the the over flow tank.

FYI, there is an Auto-x this weekend at the Legacy Events Center that I will be at...if you're interested in such horse play!
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Old Oct 1, 2019 | 10:10 PM
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Originally Posted by Tom400CFI
1.5 And stop starting your car in the winter. Does more harm, than good.
Can you elaborate on this? Never heard that before.
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Old Oct 1, 2019 | 10:19 PM
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Not only does this mod eliminate an extra hose, but it makes it easier in the future if you remove the T.B., being less messy with coolant spills. It can also save your Optispark from coolant spilling onto it causing obvious problems. Horsepower gain?...Zero. I wouldn't do this mod if you're constantly starting and driving in temps below 25 degrees.
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Old Oct 2, 2019 | 12:21 AM
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The bypass mod also yields some hp and torque. Here is a test done with dyno #s from an F-body:

http://www.ws6.com/mod-8.htm
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Old Oct 2, 2019 | 07:44 AM
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Originally Posted by BacknBlack
The bypass mod also yields some hp and torque. Here is a test done with dyno #s from an F-body:

http://www.ws6.com/mod-8.htm
Color me impressed. I'd have never believed it was possible if there wasn't a dyno run
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Old Oct 2, 2019 | 09:14 AM
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Originally Posted by BacknBlack
The bypass mod also yields some hp and torque. Here is a test done with dyno #s from an F-body:

http://www.ws6.com/mod-8.htm
Who would've thought??? Thanks for the Dyno test results. I feel better about having done this mod now.
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Old Oct 2, 2019 | 10:13 AM
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Originally Posted by Reynolds Rides
Can you elaborate on this? Never heard that before.
Combustion creates water. Water is not good for combustion chambers, cylinders, valves and the entire exhaust. Also, starting/idle/shut off will add to condensation in your oil. The problem is that there is no way that you're creating enough heat (such as when you're actually driving the car under load) to eliminate the water that you've created. So, you shut the car down and now you've increased water in the oil, and you exhaust is likely sitting w/water in it. It's a good way to rot out your exhaust.

For all that...you've "helped" nothing, by starting it. No actual benefit has been realized. For winter storage, fill the gas tank to full, change the engine oil and put 'er away for the winter. Maybe put a tender on the battery if you're so inclined.
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Old Oct 2, 2019 | 10:35 AM
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Or if you must do the winter start let all systems come up to operating temp and the fans cycle. At least 30 min. run.
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Old Oct 2, 2019 | 11:15 AM
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...if you "must". But even with that waste of time, you're still not getting the mufflers and other down stream parts of the exhaust HOT.

Running the car "just to let it run for a little bit" in the winter is treating a psychological problem...not an actual one.
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Old Oct 2, 2019 | 11:22 AM
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I start mine with no issues. I drive it when there is no snow. Problem solved.
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Old Oct 2, 2019 | 01:41 PM
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Drive it when there is now snow. Drive it. That is the crucial point. I drive mine in the winter too, on occasion.



Last edited by Tom400CFI; Oct 2, 2019 at 01:42 PM.
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Old Oct 3, 2019 | 06:27 AM
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Solve problem by moving to warmer climate. Oh wait, global warming will solve that

Last edited by Charsel; Oct 3, 2019 at 06:28 AM.
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Old Oct 3, 2019 | 07:33 AM
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Originally Posted by Charsel
Solve problem by moving to warmer climate. Oh wait, global warming will solve that
I so hate warmer areas so not good for me.
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Old Oct 3, 2019 | 10:11 AM
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I'm going to try and not get all "sciency" or political here, but global warming actually involves unusually warm Summers AND unusually cold and/or wetter Winters too. It makes extreme weather on both ends.
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