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

How hot do you run?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 23, 2003 | 08:28 PM
  #1  
iceman_t1's Avatar
iceman_t1
Thread Starter
Pro
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 589
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
Default How hot do you run?

I need to know how hot a stock LT1 engine should run. When I look at the temperature gauge, there are 4 hash marks. The first one has 185 above it. The last has 260. There are two other hash marks in between. Where shoule the needle be when driving around noon at about 95 degrees with high humidity and the AC running full bore? TIA
Reply
Old Sep 23, 2003 | 08:38 PM
  #2  
jackdaroofer's Avatar
jackdaroofer
Race Director
Supporting Lifetime Gold
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 11,182
Likes: 2
From: Almost all Skyline Cruises Vettes at Waterside 1-5
Cruise-In I Veteran
Cruise-In II Veteran
Cruise-In III Veteran
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Default Re: How hot do you run? (iceman_t1)

I need to know how hot a stock LT1 engine should run. When I look at the temperature gauge, there are 4 hash marks. The first one has 185 above it. The last has 260. There are two other hash marks in between. Where shoule the needle be when driving around noon at about 95 degrees with high humidity and the AC running full bore? TIA
:cheers: Congrats on your first post

You will ignite a lot of discuusion with your question

Personally I like to run my l 98 around 170 to 180

The general, in order to meet emissions and fuel requirements ran them HOT

But, IMHO, heat killls

Look at changing thermostat, fan switch and it will pay to pull the radiator shroud and get the trash out between the AC condensor and the radiator

Lot's more will chime in behind me, there are a lot of people that swear you should run them hot!

I have a collective 750,000 miles on 4 small blocks with no major maintenance and always run them cool and change the oil about every 2000 miles.

but then, what do I know? :D

:seeya


[Modified by jackdaroofer, 8:45 PM 9/23/2003]
Reply
Old Sep 23, 2003 | 08:44 PM
  #3  
JB666's Avatar
JB666
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 7,178
Likes: 1
From: Bahston Mass.
Default Re: How hot do you run? (iceman_t1)

My '95's been running around 197 all summer... It goes up when I'm stopped in traffic, sometimes up around 220... This is after a thorough flush of the cooling system... I have yet to see what dwells in front of my radiator though... This winter, when she's put away, I'll be putting in a 180 T-stat, and possibly doing the fan re-programming..... I'd like to keep it well under 200 all summer, even in traffic without worrying about turning the AC on and off for the 2nd fan!!

Reply
Old Sep 23, 2003 | 09:00 PM
  #4  
iceman_t1's Avatar
iceman_t1
Thread Starter
Pro
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 589
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
Default Re: How hot do you run? (iceman_t1)

I just noticed i forgot to mention the year. It's a 95. The radiator was just replaced by the dealer. It was running close to the second hash mark. I'm not sure what temp that translates to. Thanks for the quick replies.
Reply
Old Sep 23, 2003 | 09:02 PM
  #5  
mackeyred96's Avatar
mackeyred96
Team Owner
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 32,782
Likes: 11
From: Former NCM Drag Racing coordinator, National director Corvette Challenge Spring Hill, Tennessee: Whiting, New Jersey
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Default Re: How hot do you run? (iceman_t1)

iceman_t1

Welcome to the forum :thumbs:
Reply
Old Sep 23, 2003 | 09:04 PM
  #6  
JB666's Avatar
JB666
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 7,178
Likes: 1
From: Bahston Mass.
Default Re: How hot do you run? (iceman_t1)

I just noticed i forgot to mention the year. It's a 95. The radiator was just replaced by the dealer. It was running close to the second hash mark. I'm not sure what temp that translates to. Thanks for the quick replies.
Well, what's the digital display reading???? I'd say, if it's exactly like mine, it's around 195-200.
Reply
Old Sep 23, 2003 | 09:15 PM
  #7  
iceman_t1's Avatar
iceman_t1
Thread Starter
Pro
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 589
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
Default Re: How hot do you run? (Jbaker)

Thanks mackey.

Since it is running just below the 2nd hash mark, I guess that is about 200 degrees.

This is a car that I'm in the process of buying and in the final stretch. The last step tomorrow is an independent inspection. So technically, I'm not a vette owner yet but if all goes well tomorrow, I WILL BE!!! This will be my first vette after 22 years of waiting, wanting, and wishing. I am so anxious to get thru tomorrow, I can't sit still...

I've been lurking here for a few days while going thru the buying process. Thanks again, You folks are truely the best!!
Reply
Old Sep 24, 2003 | 11:32 AM
  #8  
kittmaster's Avatar
kittmaster
Race Director
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Liked
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 13,717
Likes: 5
From: RI
Default Re: How hot do you run? (iceman_t1)

188
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Sep 24, 2003 | 11:38 AM
  #9  
Nathan Plemons's Avatar
Nathan Plemons
Race Director
15 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 14,165
Likes: 9
Default Re: How hot do you run? (iceman_t1)

Just remember that the analog gauge is not linear. If you had marks at 100 & 300 halfway in between would not be 200. I know that sounds retarded but it's just the way it is. My car even still has the little sticker saying
"the analog gauges are not linear devices, refer to owners manual for explanation........."

Keep an eye on the digital gauge, but be warned not to trust it exclusively. The two gagues have two sending units in two different spots. The digital gauge reads off the front of the water pump housing. The analog reads off of the passenger side cylinder head. Ideally they should always read close to the same temperature. If there is a huge difference between you've got a cooling problem.

Welcome to the forum :cheers:
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To How hot do you run?





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:26 AM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE