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Old Jan 30, 2007 | 08:40 AM
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Default Engine Temperatures

What should the various temps be before I start to lay the hammer?
I.E.
Oil -
Coolant -
Anything else I should wait for?

Josh
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Old Jan 30, 2007 | 08:45 AM
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Originally Posted by 1B.DZ
What should the various temps be before I start to lay the hammer?
I.E.
Oil -
Coolant -
Anything else I should wait for?

Josh

I dont wait, You are going to get oil etc moving right at start up. If the motor is cold you wont hurt anyhting from getting on it.
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Old Jan 30, 2007 | 08:50 AM
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this could be interesting.....I've always heard you need to wait for proper piston /cylinder expansion to take place on any vehicle, motorcycles, cars, before you "hit it". That would be normal operating temperatures........
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Old Jan 30, 2007 | 08:55 AM
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Originally Posted by Blown 346
I dont wait, You are going to get oil etc moving right at start up. If the motor is cold you wont hurt anyhting from getting on it.
That's pretty much what I do and haven't had any problems yet.

You guys are fast. 5 min, damn
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Old Jan 30, 2007 | 09:01 AM
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I don't know, I'm old school. I know this new technology engine material wise, computers, synthetic oils, etc., is much improved from the old days...............but there's something about "gettin on it" before the water temp gauge has even moved that I just can't do. I like to see some temps close to normal before the throttle hits the floor.

Mick
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Old Jan 30, 2007 | 09:53 AM
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We have aluminum heads and blocks. We also have a knock until ""as we have been told " the engine warms up and block/heads expand a little. So, your call.
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Old Jan 30, 2007 | 10:18 AM
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Well...

I have installed heads and cam and I am running the 918 COMP Springs and hammering it when these springs are cold is not a wise idea, they need to be warm to prevent them from breaking.

I personally wait until my oil temp is about 125-150 degrees before I hammer it. Typically when the oil is at this temp the coolant is above that and that gives me reason to believe that the engine is ready for some WOT.

I am with MACH2 on this, I guess I am a bit old school too. You guys do what you want, but dropping a valve because I broke a spring due to my lack of patience isn't something I am going to risk.
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Old Jan 30, 2007 | 10:19 AM
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My .02 is simple Longevity = routine maintenance - abuse. If you abuse the car it will not last as long. 'Getting on it before the warm up is complete is abuse. I would wait until the coolant is 150 my .02
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Old Jan 30, 2007 | 11:44 AM
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If I have time I'll give it 5 min on a cold day (it was 28 here today), but 30 seconds should be enough in any situation. I make sure oil temp is 180F or higher before getting on it or breaking ~2,500 RPM.

IMHO - Coolant temp can rise/fall quickly and doesn't provide a true representation of the temperature of your motor - oil temp is the one you want to reference when determining how hot/cold your motor is.
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Old Jan 30, 2007 | 02:27 PM
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Originally Posted by jbauch357
If I have time I'll give it 5 min on a cold day (it was 28 here today), but 30 seconds should be enough in any situation. I make sure oil temp is 180F or higher before getting on it or breaking ~2,500 RPM.

IMHO - Coolant temp can rise/fall quickly and doesn't provide a true representation of the temperature of your motor - oil temp is the one you want to reference when determining how hot/cold your motor is.
I monitor oil temperature all the time. It is the key. The first thing we did with 60s era sports cars was put an oil temp gauge in because it is key. I also won't hit it hard until oil temps are 120 or more.

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Old Jan 30, 2007 | 03:50 PM
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Old Jan 30, 2007 | 03:55 PM
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The company who built our C5R-427 said, "What until you are at normal operating temperatures before you go above 3500 RPM's." Since they know more than I...
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Old Jan 30, 2007 | 05:22 PM
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I think there is a reason that "operating temp" exists or is defined by the manufacturers.
I would not romp on mine until Oil Temp gets in the 170's at least...just playing it safe.
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Old Jan 30, 2007 | 05:24 PM
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Originally Posted by oldschoolvette
My .02 is simple Longevity = routine maintenance - abuse. If you abuse the car it will not last as long. 'Getting on it before the warm up is complete is abuse. I would wait until the coolant is 150 my .02
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Old Jan 30, 2007 | 06:31 PM
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Too much piston slap on a bone cold LS1 (at least mine)
I let it warm up a bit before I get too crazy with it.
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Old Jan 30, 2007 | 06:40 PM
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Originally Posted by mph1972
Well...

I have installed heads and cam and I am running the 918 COMP Springs and hammering it when these springs are cold is not a wise idea, they need to be warm to prevent them from breaking.

I personally wait until my oil temp is about 125-150 degrees before I hammer it. Typically when the oil is at this temp the coolant is above that and that gives me reason to believe that the engine is ready for some WOT.

I am with MACH2 on this, I guess I am a bit old school too. You guys do what you want, but dropping a valve because I broke a spring due to my lack of patience isn't something I am going to risk.
I'm especially concerned for valve springs.
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Old Jan 30, 2007 | 06:53 PM
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I make sure the oil is above 175 degrees and the coolant is around 150 before really pushing the pedal down.
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