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

what temp. does your L98's run

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Old Jan 18, 2005 | 05:45 PM
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Default what temp. does your L98's run

mine gets up to 210 and a little higher its scary
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Old Jan 18, 2005 | 06:05 PM
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Originally Posted by brogden31
mine gets up to 210 and a little higher its scary
When I drive normally, The temp runs from 180-200. But when I get on it a little, It could go up as high as 210-215. But the funny thing is when I am idling a lot, especially in heavy traffic, I have gotten the max of 230 before. I think that 230 is the max level of normal as our engines where kind of designed to run hotter than most. Plus its good to have an ample amount 50:50 water/coolant mix at all times. But the good thing about running consistantly from 190-200 is that the engine will burn fuel cleaner and therefore build less carbon deposits in the engine. I forgot where I read that, but I know it makes perfect sense.
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Old Jan 18, 2005 | 06:06 PM
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That's the way the General designed these L98s. This is one reason that EGR is required to lower combustion chamber temps to prevent ping.

I now run a 160deg F T-stat & fan switch and temps normally run around 160deg F; on very hot days will climb to around 170deg F. BTW, at these temps the EGR valve will not be opened by the ECM as chamber temps are lower.
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Old Jan 18, 2005 | 06:12 PM
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Originally Posted by 65Z01
I now run a 160deg F T-stat & fan switch and temps normally run around 160deg F; on very hot days will climb to around 170deg F.

Same here
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Old Jan 18, 2005 | 06:24 PM
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Me too. Runs 170-180 in traffic with A/C off on 90-100 degree F days.
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Old Jan 18, 2005 | 06:42 PM
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Originally Posted by brogden31
mine gets up to 210 and a little higher its scary
Don't get scared. That is a very reasonable temp for normal use. The main fan isn't even programmed to come on until 225*, or so. With the aux fan coming on around 235* Your's is fine.

RACE ON!!!
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Old Jan 18, 2005 | 06:50 PM
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My '85 runs between 189 to 195 degrees when I'm driving. The fan comes on at 224 degrees, which is normal. Our cars were designed to run hot for emissions purposes. My car ran alot cooler once I replaced the radiator (which was the original one from the factory). You'd be surprised how much crud gets packed up on the front of the radiator over time!
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Old Jan 18, 2005 | 07:42 PM
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thanks everyone!
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Old Jan 18, 2005 | 08:16 PM
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Originally Posted by brogden31
thanks everyone!
With 180 thermostat, I run below 180 with outside temps 45 or below and 180 to 185 above 45 degreees outside.

Only get into 190's or low 200's on warm days at long lights!


Even running through the mountains, temps stay below 190, oil will get up to 220.

Oil generally runs around 10 to 15 degrees above coolant

seya
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Old Jan 18, 2005 | 08:45 PM
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Ideally, the oil temp will be between 195 and 215, and no higher for my likes. Coolant will always be 10-15 colder.


GM designed these engines to run very hot for emissions purposes.
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Old Jan 21, 2005 | 11:22 PM
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Default On cold days, my temperature reading is 100

Maybe the engine temperature gauge is not accurate in my 1990 Corvette, but the needle consistently points to 100 when I'm driving 60 to 70 mph on four-lane highways and interstate highways. When I'm in traffic and stopping at lights, it goes to the midway mark.

In the summer, it stays in the midway point while on the interstate highway. When I'm in traffic, the fan comes on when the temp gets up to 220 or so.

Maybe the previous owner installed a 160 degree thermostat.

Does it sound like the engine is running too cool?

I can turn on the heat on a cold day and get plenty of heat. The oil temperature stays around 100 whenever the engine temp is 100. They are pretty much the same most of the time. -- Eric

Last edited by Photomania; Jan 21, 2005 at 11:24 PM.
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Old Jan 22, 2005 | 12:40 AM
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Doesn't make sense. Why would it run at 100 degrees on the highway but then runs at normal temps on city streets? The thermostat is set to keep the water from circulating through the engine until the engine reaches it's normal operating temperature. Then the thermostat opens to maintain the normal operating temperature by circulating the water through the cooling jackets. Either both of your gauges are messed up or the sending units to the gauges are messed up. Even with a 160 thermostat, it should get up to 160.
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Old Jan 22, 2005 | 09:38 AM
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Originally Posted by CFI-EFI
Don't get scared. That is a very reasonable temp for normal use. The main fan isn't even programmed to come on until 225*, or so. With the aux fan coming on around 235* Your's is fine.

RACE ON!!!
I agree
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Old Jan 22, 2005 | 11:04 PM
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Default Maybe sending units are malfunctioning

Since my temp gauge consistently stays on 100 during highway speeds, maybe the sending units are malfunctioning. I think the engine is running at the right temperature. When I get home, the hood is warm, and the top of the engine is too hot to touch. I don't know if sending units go bad often. This 1990 Corvette has 90,000 miles. -- Eric
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Old Jan 22, 2005 | 11:16 PM
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Originally Posted by Photomania
Maybe the engine temperature gauge is not accurate in my 1990 Corvette, but the needle consistently points to 100 when I'm driving 60 to 70 mph on four-lane highways and interstate highways. When I'm in traffic and stopping at lights, it goes to the midway mark.

In the summer, it stays in the midway point while on the interstate highway. When I'm in traffic, the fan comes on when the temp gets up to 220 or so.

Maybe the previous owner installed a 160 degree thermostat.

Does it sound like the engine is running too cool?

I can turn on the heat on a cold day and get plenty of heat. The oil temperature stays around 100 whenever the engine temp is 100. They are pretty much the same most of the time. -- Eric
Sounds to me like that thermostat is a "fail-open" and has failed. Time for a new one.
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Old Jan 22, 2005 | 11:25 PM
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Eric,
I know this isn't the problem cause 100 is for the most part impossible, but maybe you should check if there is a thermostat in there?
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Old Jan 23, 2005 | 12:38 AM
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mine wont go above 140 when moving in this cold weather, parked it will bring the fan(s) on.
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To what temp. does your L98's run

Old Jan 23, 2005 | 08:48 AM
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The temperature in my 84, during normal driving is 199.
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Old Jan 23, 2005 | 10:20 AM
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Originally Posted by severe-1
Eric,
I know this isn't the problem cause 100 is for the most part impossible, but maybe you should check if there is a thermostat in there?
Sounds like there is none?
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Old Jan 23, 2005 | 08:42 PM
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Originally Posted by 65Z01
That's the way the General designed these L98s. This is one reason that EGR is required to lower combustion chamber temps to prevent ping.

I now run a 160deg F T-stat & fan switch and temps normally run around 160deg F; on very hot days will climb to around 170deg F. BTW, at these temps the EGR valve will not be opened by the ECM as chamber temps are lower.
I seriously thought about this mod but I've always thought the thermostat just helped the water warm up faster. And, once the water is hot, it opens and stays open. So, with either thermo, the car would hit the same high temps. That said, I do see where kicking the fan on at a lower temp would hold water temp down.

So why change thermostats? (Also, does gas mileage go down with the car running cooler)?
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