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

Suggestions on Dewitts Radiator

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Old Dec 17, 2004 | 08:55 PM
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Default Suggestions on Dewitts Radiator

I have a 92 6 speed with lots of Mods, my engine temps run in the range of 230 max in the city and Run 200 on the highway. The only thing on my motor that has not been replaced is the Radiator and a stock T'stat (195??). Fans have been programed previously to kick on at 219 but it still will stay around 230 until I get moving.

So my question to everyone is I will replace the current radiator with an all aluminum Radiator but I am unsure of which degree T'stat to put in a Hypertech 160 or 180 degree?

P.S. there is no debris in between the radiator and condenser it's very clean.

Many Thanks to any help. Chad
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Old Dec 17, 2004 | 09:05 PM
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I run a 160 year round with no problems. I would try them both though. They are cheap enough and easy to swap out.
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Old Dec 17, 2004 | 09:12 PM
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One of my main concerns is running the 160 degree stat with the new dewitt's radiator will bring my temps too low, I hear below 180 degrees on average is no good for these motors? Chad
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Old Dec 17, 2004 | 09:21 PM
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I've always had the best results with the stock 195* thermostat. My "89" Vette's Single fan comes on at 228* in traffic and the coolant temps reach around 169* on the highway on a 60* day.

Running to cool will prevent the computer from switching to closed loop mode.

You should stay with the stock 195* thermostat especially if you're installing an all aluminum radiator.

Last edited by GKK; Dec 17, 2004 at 09:24 PM.
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Old Dec 17, 2004 | 11:05 PM
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Originally Posted by phxscooby101
One of my main concerns is running the 160 degree stat with the new dewitt's radiator will bring my temps too low, I hear below 180 degrees on average is no good for these motors? Chad
My post was opinion. I have been running the 160 for 14 years and 150k. Engine temp stays where I like it. 200 ish in the warm weather and 180 in the cooler weather. My suggestion is to try both and see what comes of it. Do what is right for you.
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Old Dec 18, 2004 | 12:35 AM
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Old Dec 18, 2004 | 03:38 AM
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Originally Posted by phxscooby101
One of my main concerns is running the 160 degree stat with the new dewitt's radiator will bring my temps too low, I hear below 180 degrees on average is no good for these motors? Chad
I'm running a 160 stat and a DeWitts radiator and my temps only get to 200 if in stop-and-go traffic on a HOT day. Most of the time, it's locked at around 190 deg. On colder nights, less than that.

Ron
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Old Dec 18, 2004 | 05:12 AM
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Running a 160 in a LT1-4 is more like running a 180 in a L98. The reason I say this is because of the reverse cooling. The water enters the heads first, and then the block on the LT1-4 motors. This is the reason that the factory t-stat is only rated at 180 on the LT1-4 motors verses the 195 on L98 motors.
I can say with mine it runs better cooler. It makes a difference at the drag strip if I am at 160 degrees, on the gage, verses 190 or so.
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Old Dec 18, 2004 | 07:31 AM
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This may not help, but I use a 165 stat with a .100 hole drilled into it, my Dewitts has never seen higher than 188-190 mostly becasue my fans are programmed to come on at 185 degrees.
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Old Dec 18, 2004 | 01:47 PM
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Originally Posted by phxscooby101
I have a 92 6 speed with lots of Mods, my engine temps run in the range of 230 max in the city and Run 200 on the highway. The only thing on my motor that has not been replaced is the Radiator and a stock T'stat (195??). Fans have been programed previously to kick on at 219 but it still will stay around 230 until I get moving.

So my question to everyone is I will replace the current radiator with an all aluminum Radiator but I am unsure of which degree T'stat to put in a Hypertech 160 or 180 degree?

P.S. there is no debris in between the radiator and condenser it's very clean.

Many Thanks to any help. Chad
I wouldn't touch a thing. Unless you want or need cooler temps for racing or another good reason, your's are consistent and fine.

Originally Posted by GKK
I've always had the best results with the stock 195* thermostat. My "89" Vette's Single fan comes on at 228* in traffic and the coolant temps reach around 169* on the highway on a 60* day.
It sounds like your stat has failed in the open position. It should never run that cool on the highway with a 195* stat.

Originally Posted by Pete K
Engine temp stays where I like it. 200 ish in the warm weather and 180 in the cooler weather.
It sounds like you could benefit from a 180* stat. You can keep your favored operating temps and get quicker warm ups, too.

RACE ON!!!
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Old Dec 18, 2004 | 02:22 PM
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My engine is in the breakin period from a rebuild so I'm not sure if it's normal for this on new rings and pistons+ stainless steel vales 1.5 harland rockers etc... so here in phoenix it's 75 degrees but in the summer it can easliy reach 115 degrees so I'm thinking it will run even hotter then.

Also oil temps are in the 235 to 242 range on convention 10w30 until 6k miles of breakin then I'll switch to mobil synthetic.

I would like to see temps of the coolant in the 200 to 215 range is that possible with the 180 t'stat and Dewitts radiator? Thanks Chad
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Old Dec 18, 2004 | 02:51 PM
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Originally Posted by phxscooby101
My engine is in the breakin period from a rebuild so I'm not sure if it's normal for this on new rings and pistons+ stainless steel vales 1.5 harland rockers etc... so here in phoenix it's 75 degrees but in the summer it can easliy reach 115 degrees so I'm thinking it will run even hotter then.

Also oil temps are in the 235 to 242 range on convention 10w30 until 6k miles of breakin then I'll switch to mobil synthetic.

I would like to see temps of the coolant in the 200 to 215 range is that possible with the 180 t'stat and Dewitts radiator? Thanks Chad
I'm thinking your operating temps will drop with further break in. The same with the oil temps, even though they are not out of line, either. *I* would wait and see what happens.

Changing the stat won't lower the temps, since you are already exceeding the opening point. Once it's open, it's open. The DeWitts all aluminum radiator is a serious, and quality piece of work. It is the one *I* would select if I had the need. I'm just not convinced that you need it. If you DO go that route, I doubt you will need a cooler stat. With that radiator, your problem will be getting to run hot enough.

RACE ON!!!
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Old Dec 18, 2004 | 02:57 PM
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I put a Dewitts in my 90 and it never overheats anymore, even here in Florida.

I had run a 160 stat for years, but changed it to a 180 last eyar and the car runs overall much better. With a 160 in cool weather, it would never go off of closed loop (or is that open loop?) Anyway, it did not heat up enough for it to run right. IMHO, 180 is the way to go.
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Old Dec 18, 2004 | 04:01 PM
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Originally Posted by CFI-EFI
It sounds like your stat has failed in the open position. It should never run that cool on the highway with a 195* stat.
Oops, I meant to say the coolant temp with the 195* thermostat is 169* in 40* weather. I noticed the temps after leaving work at 11pm on a very cold night.
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Old Dec 18, 2004 | 06:17 PM
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Originally Posted by GKK
Oops, I meant to say the coolant temp with the 195* thermostat is 169* in 40* weather. I noticed the temps after leaving work at 11pm on a very cold night.
Is that before it warms up? With a 195* stat, it should run pretty close to 195, regardless of the ambient temps. If it only warms up to 169, I would think the stat is never closing. Which was, my original point.

RACE ON!!!
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Old Dec 18, 2004 | 07:38 PM
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I think I'm leaning towards the 180 stat with the dewitts radiator.

Any precautions on getting coolant on the opti spark, since it is right above the T'stat housing? Thanks everyone, Chad
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Old Dec 18, 2004 | 08:36 PM
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I have the DeWitts radiator on my 92 vette. the engine is reverse cooled so puting in a 180 thermostat will not help the engine as its designed to run at higher temps. The DeWitt radiator is all you need for reliable cooling.
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Old Dec 20, 2004 | 12:37 AM
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230 is the GM design point. don't worry about it too much.
mine hasn't melted down yet.

I also have a 1996 B-body all stock, stock thermostat, it hasn't melted down yet either. you know it's running 230 all the time, except on the hiway, it'll cool off a tad..
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Old Dec 21, 2004 | 04:15 AM
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Had trouble with the Dewitt radiator fitting correctly. Ended up getting radiator from Ron Davis in Phoenix.
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Old Dec 21, 2004 | 08:21 AM
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I heard they fixed this problem? How long ago did you get the radiator? Ron davis is charging more for his radiator, right? Thanks Chad
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