Coolant Operating Temps...
Thread Starter
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 97
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Coolant Operating Temps...
Ok I hope Im not 
but I really would like to know normal operating temps during rush hour.
A typical day in here chicago cooped up in a car for say 50 minutes.
Basically bumper to bumper slow n go, blah blah.
Spring temps around 70 degrees, would ones coolant climb up to about 230 than the fans kick in ?
With that being said:
A. would like to know what is the stock thermostat on a 02 vette?
B. when should fan 1 come on.
C. when should fan 2 come on.
Ok with all things being created equal, tell me the perks of purchasing a big mouth air dam would this alleviate or drop the temps a bit ?
Changing the thermostat between 180/170 and which are most of you running in your C5's ?
Also where & how do you program your fans to come on sooner & if so what should the temps be based on those after-market thermostats.
Guess im always worrying my car is running hot.
Today seeing her get to 230 seemed a lil warm for a 70 degree day than again wasnt moving much for awhile.
Upon traffic moving normally Im at about 180-190 or so ???
Thank in advance for your input gang !
but I really would like to know normal operating temps during rush hour.A typical day in here chicago cooped up in a car for say 50 minutes.
Basically bumper to bumper slow n go, blah blah.
Spring temps around 70 degrees, would ones coolant climb up to about 230 than the fans kick in ?
With that being said:
A. would like to know what is the stock thermostat on a 02 vette?
B. when should fan 1 come on.
C. when should fan 2 come on.
Ok with all things being created equal, tell me the perks of purchasing a big mouth air dam would this alleviate or drop the temps a bit ?
Changing the thermostat between 180/170 and which are most of you running in your C5's ?
Also where & how do you program your fans to come on sooner & if so what should the temps be based on those after-market thermostats.
Guess im always worrying my car is running hot.
Today seeing her get to 230 seemed a lil warm for a 70 degree day than again wasnt moving much for awhile.
Upon traffic moving normally Im at about 180-190 or so ???
Thank in advance for your input gang !
Racer
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 379
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix AZ
sounds right
Mine ran the same today here in Phx AZ in 108 temps so your GTG.
I have a 170 thermo coming and a Vinci controller waiting so I can control the temps to my liking.
you can have your car reprogramed for a desired fan turn on or get a controller. but either way you'll need to change the thermostat out.
Bigmouth will help some if your moving but not much in stop and go traffic
I think I've read that "Optimal" running temp for the LS1 is around 200-220 and thats around where I want to get mine running here in Summer for daily driving.
I have a 170 thermo coming and a Vinci controller waiting so I can control the temps to my liking.
you can have your car reprogramed for a desired fan turn on or get a controller. but either way you'll need to change the thermostat out.
Bigmouth will help some if your moving but not much in stop and go traffic
I think I've read that "Optimal" running temp for the LS1 is around 200-220 and thats around where I want to get mine running here in Summer for daily driving.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 431
Likes: 1
From: Northern NJ nj
Mine runs right up to 226 - 230 when sitting in traffic. No big deal. The low speed fan kicks on at 226 and lowers the temp to 219. Low speed fan kicks on at 226 and off at 219. high speed fan kicks on at 235 and kicks off at 226.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,820
Likes: 2
From: San Diego
This topic does come up often in spring and summer. I wondered the same thing too.
Then I realized as long as the needle is below the red zone the factory engineers have decided that's OK. I figure they know more than me since they built the engine and cooling system. Plus, after 8 years of LS1 engines I'd think they'd have modified the thermostat or cooling system if they thought idling at 225-230 wasn't a good thing.
So, I've decided not to stress over this anymore until I see the needle hit the RED ZONE. Either the temp is in normal range or in the RED. If I start seeing it in RED, then I'll start examining the cooling system for problems or alter it somehow to eliminate them.
..rickko..
Then I realized as long as the needle is below the red zone the factory engineers have decided that's OK. I figure they know more than me since they built the engine and cooling system. Plus, after 8 years of LS1 engines I'd think they'd have modified the thermostat or cooling system if they thought idling at 225-230 wasn't a good thing.
So, I've decided not to stress over this anymore until I see the needle hit the RED ZONE. Either the temp is in normal range or in the RED. If I start seeing it in RED, then I'll start examining the cooling system for problems or alter it somehow to eliminate them.
..rickko..
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 7,294
Likes: 1
From: Coral Springs Florida
It eas 94 degrees today here in So.Florida and I was in traffic. The temps never got over 199 with the A/C on ..but then again I have a Be Cool radiator and a Meziere water pump not mention the 160 t-stat.
As a first step I would change the t-stat and mix some Redline water wetter in with the coolant ...It WILL help!!
As a first step I would change the t-stat and mix some Redline water wetter in with the coolant ...It
WILL help!!
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
Excellent information.... 
I know sometimes I think they shouldnt have any gauges for us worry warts to stress over.
Does anyone notice a difference in power when the car is running at those temps for awhile in traffic ?
Im still thinking of possibly modifying it to keep the engine cooler.
In my head wouldnt mind my temps hovering about 200-210 no hotter.
Oh yea, whats the stock thermostat in a 02 ??
I know sometimes I think they shouldnt have any gauges for us worry warts to stress over.
Does anyone notice a difference in power when the car is running at those temps for awhile in traffic ?
Im still thinking of possibly modifying it to keep the engine cooler.
In my head wouldnt mind my temps hovering about 200-210 no hotter.
Oh yea, whats the stock thermostat in a 02 ??
Last edited by Vetten02; May 25, 2005 at 07:40 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
From: Utah
180
I have the hypertech 180 deg. Temp is vary stable at 200 to 205 , idling in traffic with the A/C on for a long time it tipps 220.
I reprogrammed the on and off temps of the cooling fans with the predator.
I reprogrammed the on and off temps of the cooling fans with the predator.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 7,876
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From: Ghent
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14
I have the SLP 160 stat. The Weather here hasn't exceeded the 80's yet. But I haven't left upwards of 181 degrees from what the DIC say's and I've been watching it closely.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
Stock thermostat here. I installed the Vinci fan switch and set it to come on at 208, it then turns off at 201. Have never gone over this in extreme heat since I installed it. I left in the stock thermostat to keep my oil temps above 200 where they should be. Also, when the weather gets colder in the fall the engine still heats up enough to burn off condensation. Its an easy installation and will solve your problem without a new thermostat. You should also look up under the car to make sure you A/C condenser isnt' covered with debris.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,225
Likes: 0
From: Currently living in and loving... Chico, CA
The easiest, quickest, and cheapest way to force a fan cycle below the factory low speed fan turn on point is to engage the A/C compressor. Once the compressor discharge pressure has reached a certain point, the fan(s) will start no matter what the engine coolant temperature is. This is so that heat may be removed from the refrigerant passing through the condenser, thus allowing it to enter the evaporator at the proper temperature and pressure. The evaporator can then remove heat from the air passing through it and into the cabin of the vehicle. 
Safety Car
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,814
Likes: 105
From: Dearborn Heights Michigan
From the Spring 2003 Corvette Quarterly Mag: Normal C5 operating temp is 200-210. 1st fan on at 226, off at 219. 2nd fan on at 235, off at 226. If A/C is on the 1st fan runs continuously.
Fred
Fred
Last edited by FKING1; May 27, 2005 at 04:49 PM.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 431
Likes: 1
From: Northern NJ nj
Originally Posted by vstella
It eas 94 degrees today here in So.Florida and I was in traffic. The temps never got over 199 with the A/C on ..but then again I have a Be Cool radiator and a Meziere water pump not mention the 160 t-stat.
As a first step I would change the t-stat and mix some Redline water wetter in with the coolant ...It WILL help!!
As a first step I would change the t-stat and mix some Redline water wetter in with the coolant ...It
WILL help!!
Racer
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 379
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix AZ
Originally Posted by vettenuts
I left in the stock thermostat to keep my oil temps above 200 where they should be.
What is everyones oil temps running at and whats the max you have seen?
