L98 vs LT1 Thermostat temp question
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 108
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From: Sacramento california
L98 vs LT1 Thermostat temp question
Correct me if iam wrong: a L98 has OEM a 195 deg thermostat
where as a LT1/LT4 has OEM a 180 deg thermostat? now regarding the LT1's thermostat what benefit will occur from installing a 160 deg thermostat being were only talking about a 20 deg difference? wouldn,t it be more benefical to just have the cooling fans start at a lower temp?
thanks boonie
where as a LT1/LT4 has OEM a 180 deg thermostat? now regarding the LT1's thermostat what benefit will occur from installing a 160 deg thermostat being were only talking about a 20 deg difference? wouldn,t it be more benefical to just have the cooling fans start at a lower temp?
thanks boonie
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,130
Likes: 2
From: seattle WA
Re: L98 vs LT1 Thermostat temp question (boonie2)
Personally I think 160 is to low-however, alot of guys use them. I installed the lower temp switch to come on at 200-off at 185 and I'm really happy with it ;)
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,241
Likes: 9
From: Houston TX
Re: L98 vs LT1 Thermostat temp question (boonie2)
boonie, with the LT1 the thermostat is in the reverse configuration. coolant flows from the radiator to the thermostat then into the engine. hence, the thermostat's rating does not equate to that temp as equilibrium for the engine coolant temps.
a 180 thermostat in an LT1 is pretty darn close to 195 degrees in equilibrium. in high speed low load situations, where the coolant entering from the radiator is very cool, the thermostat can overcompensate.
for instance, my car with the fans on full blast and the stock stat would run right around 195 degrees in traffic. but on the open road, even with the fans going full blast, it would run closer to 200 degrees.
check this out for more info:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=797977
-michael
a 180 thermostat in an LT1 is pretty darn close to 195 degrees in equilibrium. in high speed low load situations, where the coolant entering from the radiator is very cool, the thermostat can overcompensate.
for instance, my car with the fans on full blast and the stock stat would run right around 195 degrees in traffic. but on the open road, even with the fans going full blast, it would run closer to 200 degrees.
check this out for more info:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=797977
-michael
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: L98 vs LT1 Thermostat temp question (boonie2)
Indeed you need to look at coolant temp as displayed on the dash or even better, as seen by the ECM.
If you go with a lower temp T-stat you also need to change the fan control to help maintain temps in slow traffic.
The T-stat sets the engine operating temp but sufficient cool air flow through the radiator is needed to maintain it.
BTW, the rule of thumb is that every 30deg drop in intake temp is worth ~10chp. On the early MAF engines the ECM used coolant temp to set fuel & spark advance, so CHP was quite dependant on coolant temp.
If you go with a lower temp T-stat you also need to change the fan control to help maintain temps in slow traffic.
The T-stat sets the engine operating temp but sufficient cool air flow through the radiator is needed to maintain it.
BTW, the rule of thumb is that every 30deg drop in intake temp is worth ~10chp. On the early MAF engines the ECM used coolant temp to set fuel & spark advance, so CHP was quite dependant on coolant temp.
