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

LT1 383 coolant temps?

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Old Sep 6, 2003 | 02:32 PM
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Default LT1 383 coolant temps?

I've noticed my coolant temps on the 383 are much higher than the old 350 LT1.. Is this normal? The are when driving they are around 212 and when stopped for any long period get in around 228-231.

I have a 160 stat, reprogrammed fans, I cleaned out the radiator and the system is full of coolant/water mix and it has been bled. Also, I have verified that both fans are working. Oh, and these temps are with the A/C on and the temp outside 85-95 degrees..

I've heard that new engines run a bit hotter.. could this be the cause? will the temp go down as the engine breaks in?
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Old Sep 6, 2003 | 02:51 PM
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Default Re: LT1 383 coolant temps? (BluByU)

Its normal for an engine that makes that much more power to be running hotter.

I dont recall if you had the computer programmed for the new engine? that would affect it.

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Old Sep 6, 2003 | 05:10 PM
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Default Re: LT1 383 coolant temps? (BluByU)

A brand new engine would run warmer but it shouldn't be running that hot with a 160 thermostat. My friend's 396 didn't run that hot and he hadn't even switched over to synthetic oil yet.

I would certainly put a scanner on it and see if everything looks alright. If it's running too lean it could make it hot. Have you made sure you don't have any air trapped in the coolant?
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Old Sep 6, 2003 | 05:13 PM
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Default Re: LT1 383 coolant temps? (Nathan Plemons)

Yes, I've blead the system and yes I have had the computer reprogrammed..I hooked up datamaster and everything is looking pretty good.. aghhh.. I jsut took my blower nozzle and blew off the front of the radiator again.. I must be forgetting something..
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Old Sep 6, 2003 | 05:17 PM
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Default Re: LT1 383 coolant temps? (BluByU)

Do the temps go down if you turn on the A/C? That will turn on both fans on high, should cool it down, but probably not any cooler than it would if you were going 70 mph.
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Old Sep 6, 2003 | 06:15 PM
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Default Re: LT1 383 coolant temps? (BluByU)

I've built my 383 CID a few years ago, but my temperature never has gone above 195deg w/AC on and on a above 90deg day. I also have a 160 thermostat & had the computer programmed for on at 180deg & off at 170deg. Taking the radiator out & cleaning between the fins should help unless the radiator is failing, by getting clogged. Maybe you should re-check your radiator and/or thermostat.
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Old Sep 6, 2003 | 06:31 PM
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Default Re: LT1 383 coolant temps? (ENJ)

those temps are with the AC on. I'm going to pull the thermostat and test it to make sure its not stuck. good tip! :thumbs:
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Old Sep 6, 2003 | 06:34 PM
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Default Re: LT1 383 coolant temps? (BluByU)

Yeah something is certainly wrong, let's just hope it's nothing major. Could be as simple as a thermostat, possibly an obstruction in a hose.
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Old Sep 6, 2003 | 08:28 PM
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Default Re: LT1 383 coolant temps? (BluByU)

My 383 ran pretty hot ... it's a lot of work to dissipate all that heat... 383's usually put out a lot more heat. The cooling system in our cars is bad enough as it is anyway.
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Old Sep 7, 2003 | 12:50 AM
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Default Re: LT1 383 coolant temps? (GlockLT4)

glock - what kind of temps did you normally see?
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Old Sep 7, 2003 | 01:13 AM
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Default Re: LT1 383 coolant temps? (BluByU)

I hit as high as 245 once in the heat of last summer. In the cold on the highway (with my 160* t-stat) i ran around 178 though. Depended a lot on what the ambient temp was, but i definititely ran hotter. Before the 383 I never saw above 200 with the 160* t-stat.
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Old Sep 7, 2003 | 09:57 AM
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Default Re: LT1 383 coolant temps? (BluByU)

I jsut took my blower nozzle and blew off the front of the radiator again.. I must be forgetting something..[/QUOTE]

That is how I use to clean mine but I think it was worthless doing it that way. Here is mine after 12k. And yes I was doing the back blow though the radiator.


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Old Sep 7, 2003 | 10:07 AM
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Default Re: LT1 383 coolant temps? (Corvette0096)

That is how I use to clean mine but I think it was worthless doing it that way. Here is mine after 12k. And yes I was doing the back blow though the radiator.

I didn't back blow mine... I blew the front off - from the slit in the side of the radiator shroud. I managed to do that by fastening/fabricating a 18" long piece of semi-flexable copper tubing on the end of the blower nozzle and then bending the tip about 30 degrees so it was more directed toward the front of the motor.. It seemed to get all that gray junk off the front (like shown in your picture).


I took it for a long ride on the highway yesturday.. It was about 178-182.. however, it was cool (74) with alot of fog/moisture in the air and I was going 75mph.. My real problem is being in traffic for 30mins.


[Modified by BluByU, 10:06 AM 9/7/2003]
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Old Sep 7, 2003 | 11:10 AM
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Default Re: LT1 383 coolant temps? (BluByU)

I cleaned mine without having to do a single thing! I had the dealer throw a completely new radiator in under warranty since mine had a small leak :).


[Modified by GlockLT4, 10:11 AM 9/7/2003]
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Old Sep 7, 2003 | 12:53 PM
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Default Re: LT1 383 coolant temps? (GlockLT4)

look at it this way. The stock waterpump runs with engine speed because it is driven off the cam. They are spinning fairly slow and at a stop while at idle id bet most motors would just get slightly hotter and hotter than normal. The only way ive not seen this happen is with a bigger rad, HD mezziere, 160 thermo and fans that go on sooner. That car stayed near 185 even at idle for 20 minutes.
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Old Sep 7, 2003 | 01:42 PM
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Default Re: LT1 383 coolant temps? (BluByU)

i'm running a 383 also, and i'm getting those temp readings also(AC on). i also have the 160 and fans reprogrammed. with the AC off i'm getting 216 in traffic, but around 180-190 @cruising speed(70mph) after i had the radiator flushed. i'm going to pray the fins today w/ a high pressure washer and see if if makes any difference.

joel
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Old Sep 7, 2003 | 10:42 PM
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Default Re: LT1 383 coolant temps? (qkvette)

careful, you can bend the fins with high pressure water!!! will figure this out! :thumbs:
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