[Z06] What Temp do you run at
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 53
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What Temp do you run at
My '01 Z06 runs at about 220 degrees normally when fully warmed. Has anyone put a lower thermostat in their Z06? What temp is optimal to run at? I've noticed that my 5.7 Tuned Port Injection IROC Z runs extremely well at 160 degrees. I see a performance drop at higher temps. Has anyone noticed similar signs with the Z06?
Uzi
Uzi
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 7,506
Likes: 0
From: Hillsborough NJ
My tuner put a 160 tstat in for me last February and then did LS1 edit to adjust the fans. My car runs between 174-178, even on the coldest of days. In the summer, it runs between 176-180.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 10,649
Likes: 31
From: Central Florida
Unless your engine is modified and the PCM tuning is non-stock, then your engine will make peak power when the water temp is in the range of 190-194.
If you are cruising down the highway at normal speeds and the car is fully warmed up, then your water temp should be in the sweet spot of 190-194. Under those conditions, if you are seeing 220, then you have an issue.
Ranger
If you are cruising down the highway at normal speeds and the car is fully warmed up, then your water temp should be in the sweet spot of 190-194. Under those conditions, if you are seeing 220, then you have an issue.
Ranger
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 215
Likes: 0
From: Granbury TX
You might want to look up under the front of the car and make sure the radiator isnt blocked.. Im not talking about the A/C condensor, look behind that at the radiator. I currently have a ton of debris up in there, between the radiator and the condensor, but I am going to have to remove the radiator to get to it all.. I tried using the air compressor to blow it out, but I cant get it all out. 
How do you remove the two little metal clips that hold the radiator shroud/cover on? The ones that are right next to the Hood light connector and on the opposite side?
I wish I could post a pic.
I would show you what is up in my radiator between the radiator and the condensor. I cant get it out by any normal means. The rad is gonna have to come out to get to all the leaves and junk.
How do you remove the two little metal clips that hold the radiator shroud/cover on? The ones that are right next to the Hood light connector and on the opposite side?
I wish I could post a pic.
I would show you what is up in my radiator between the radiator and the condensor. I cant get it out by any normal means. The rad is gonna have to come out to get to all the leaves and junk.
Last edited by viper punisher; Feb 15, 2005 at 05:10 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,846
Likes: 5
From: Sandy Ego CA
I asked the same question when I got my new 04Z last July as it runs at 220 all of the time, even on the freeway.
I got a whole lot of responses from other guy's on the forum that said don't worry about, theres allot of Z's that run that hot and it's some what normal, but it still bothers me. I did change to a 160 stat but haven't changed the fan settings yet as I'm trying to find time to put my headers on and do a tune, I will adjust the fan settings them. But I can relate to your uneasy feeling.
I got a whole lot of responses from other guy's on the forum that said don't worry about, theres allot of Z's that run that hot and it's some what normal, but it still bothers me. I did change to a 160 stat but haven't changed the fan settings yet as I'm trying to find time to put my headers on and do a tune, I will adjust the fan settings them. But I can relate to your uneasy feeling.
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Escondido Ca
Glad to see that my 01 isn't the only one running in the 200's. My car will run any where between 180 and 225. When I autocross or track run it, it is always in the 200, 220 range. I was advised to run my air as it runs another fan and that I have done. I have not noticed any power lost in the 200 = range. I always drive with my digital thermometer on so I am constantly monitering the temp. It seems very normal for my car so I have accepted that that is how it runs. I have never overheated or lost coolant. Let me know your thoughts.
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
When swapping out the thermostat and adjusting the fans be careful not to go too low. I have read and been told by several folks that going to low can inhibit performance just as being too warm can.
My tuner suggested a 178 and a corresponding setting for the fan operation, during your system tune you can adjust the fan settings. My car typically runs around 190 even in slow moving traffic in the high heat of south Florida (where I lived until very recently). Before the mod it was very common for the temp to be go up to 220 in slow moving traffic.
Yes, just changing the thermostat and not adjusting the fan settings will do you very little good other than on the high way. If you are going to spring for the mod finish the job.
Don
My tuner suggested a 178 and a corresponding setting for the fan operation, during your system tune you can adjust the fan settings. My car typically runs around 190 even in slow moving traffic in the high heat of south Florida (where I lived until very recently). Before the mod it was very common for the temp to be go up to 220 in slow moving traffic.
Yes, just changing the thermostat and not adjusting the fan settings will do you very little good other than on the high way. If you are going to spring for the mod finish the job.
Don
Originally Posted by Uzi
My '01 Z06 runs at about 220 degrees normally when fully warmed. Has anyone put a lower thermostat in their Z06? What temp is optimal to run at? I've noticed that my 5.7 Tuned Port Injection IROC Z runs extremely well at 160 degrees. I see a performance drop at higher temps. Has anyone noticed similar signs with the Z06?
Uzi
Uzi
Former Vendor
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 5,261
Likes: 1
From: The Presidential Suite Elite Street, MD
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10
I had the same issue, but then I dropped in a 160 thermostat and reprogrammed the fans and now on the highway I am at 174 and when I cruise downtown areas I reach around 190.
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Instructor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 179
Likes: 2
From: Somerville NJ
Z06 w/ lower Thermstat
I have a 160 tstat in my z06 with a tune to put fans on @ 180 and 190 so I run consistently around 174-178 for normal driving - on really cold days I'm around 168-170 but at the track I'm at 200 or so. The oil stays cooler now too - running around 260 vs. 280-290 before.
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
From: Manhattan New York
I Put In A 178 Degree Thermostat And Dyno Tuned It. It Runs At About 190 Now. You Want To Be Cool, But Not Too Cool. You Want Volumetric Efficiency & Enough Heat For Complete Combustion. Good Luck.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,626
Likes: 1
From: Fremont California
[QUOTE=RoHo]I asked the same question when I got my new 04Z last July as it runs at 220 all of the time, even on the freeway.
I got a whole lot of responses from other guy's on the forum that said don't worry about, theres allot of Z's that run that hot and it's some what normal, but it still bothers me.
My 04 runs @ 220
I got a whole lot of responses from other guy's on the forum that said don't worry about, theres allot of Z's that run that hot and it's some what normal, but it still bothers me.
My 04 runs @ 220
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,684
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville Florida
220 is a little on the high side, as others have said look up under the front of the radiator - it is a debris trap!
A lower stat in of itself will not have a huge effect on the coolant temp, unless you use LS1Edit or equiv. to change the fan temp. on/off settings as well. I have a modified motor, run a 178 stat and have the fans come on at 180.
If you are stock and/or don't track the car I would say leave well enough alone.
Les
A lower stat in of itself will not have a huge effect on the coolant temp, unless you use LS1Edit or equiv. to change the fan temp. on/off settings as well. I have a modified motor, run a 178 stat and have the fans come on at 180.
If you are stock and/or don't track the car I would say leave well enough alone.
Les
Originally Posted by Uzi
My '01 Z06 runs at about 220 degrees normally when fully warmed. Has anyone put a lower thermostat in their Z06? What temp is optimal to run at? I've noticed that my 5.7 Tuned Port Injection IROC Z runs extremely well at 160 degrees. I see a performance drop at higher temps. Has anyone noticed similar signs with the Z06?
Uzi
Uzi
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From: Richmond KY
Use heater to cool between runs?
[B]Glad to see that my 01 isn't the only one running in the 200's. My car will run any where between 180 and 225. When I autocross or track run it, it is always in the 200, 220 range. I was advised to run my air as it runs another fan and that I have done. I have not noticed any power lost in the 200 = range. I always drive with my digital thermometer on so I am constantly monitering the temp. It seems very normal for my car so I have accepted that that is how it runs. I have never overheated or lost coolant. Let me know your thoughts.[/B]
Hi: New to Vettes. (Got my first 2 weeks ago-a 2002 Z06). I've turned on the heat in a couple of other cars between runs to cool down the temp. Does that work well with a Vette? Or is the AC route the best way to go?
Rich
Hi: New to Vettes. (Got my first 2 weeks ago-a 2002 Z06). I've turned on the heat in a couple of other cars between runs to cool down the temp. Does that work well with a Vette? Or is the AC route the best way to go?
Rich