Initial impression with 187 deg t-stat
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,565
Likes: 6
From: Henderson NV
Initial impression with 187 deg t-stat
98 6-speed with 44250 miles. Got the C5 mid Jan 07 and decided to take advantage of the local Dealers coupon for cooling system drain, flush & fill. Had the upper & lower radiator hoses replaced too. I bought the 187 degree thermostat from Summit. I don't like the 160 degree t-stat, seems the stat would be open all the time and not allow the radiator to cool the coolant. The weather is warming up here in Central Calif so I went for a scoot after picking up the C5 after the work was done. I notice the temp gauge needle was a tick over the 200 mark, and the gauge button showed 198-205. The stock 197 deg t-stat I had removed kept things at, or just below, the 200 mark and 196 with the gauge button. I'll use the Hypertech III to lower the temp settings the fans come on because with the 187 deg t-stat, the water is flowing thru the radiator sooner than before and the radiator isn't cooling the coolant as well as before. There only seems to be a 5-10 degree delta between the 197 and the 187 deg t-stats, according to the gauge and the gauge button reading. Everything is working to plan I guess.
Mick
Mick
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,565
Likes: 6
From: Henderson NV
I meant no negativity in regards to the 160 deg t-stat and those folks that us it. I just feel that the newer engines like this LS1, with reverse cooling, small combustion chambers, aluminum heads/block are meant to run hotter than the older style engines. That is the reason I went with a 187 deg t-stat. I'm going to use a Hypertech III to change the fan on/off temp settings from stock @ fan 1 on/off: 227/218 and fan 2 on/off: 235/228 to fan 1 on/off: 209/200 and fan 2 on/off: 219/210.
I may see how the Hypertech III does with a tune up.
Mick
I may see how the Hypertech III does with a tune up.
Mick
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,172
Likes: 104
From: Des Moines Iowa
I meant no negativity in regards to the 160 deg t-stat and those folks that us it. I just feel that the newer engines like this LS1, with reverse cooling, small combustion chambers, aluminum heads/block are meant to run hotter than the older style engines. That is the reason I went with a 187 deg t-stat. I'm going to use a Hypertech III to change the fan on/off temp settings from stock @ fan 1 on/off: 227/218 and fan 2 on/off: 235/228 to fan 1 on/off: 209/200 and fan 2 on/off: 219/210.
I may see how the Hypertech III does with a tune up.
Mick
I may see how the Hypertech III does with a tune up.
Mick
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
The thermostat only controls the initial temperature at which the coolant will be allowed to circulate through the system. Once it begins circulating, the thermostat has no bearing on the temperature of the coolant until it cools and the thermostat closes. The coolant temperature will be whatever the system allows it to be. That's dependent on the radiator, fan(s), air intake, car moving or stationery, etc.
Last edited by hotwheels57; Mar 8, 2007 at 12:26 PM.
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,565
Likes: 6
From: Henderson NV
Funny you should say that hotwheels57. I got rid of a 32 Ford Highboy Roadster with a crate 350/350 trans, 8" Ford rear, glass body and tons of fun. Just got tired of the old school Hot Rods that I'd had previous to this C5. Holley carb leaking, blowing power valves, always wiping a leak. Loved it though.....
I'm lovin this new age Hot Rod, especially the 6 speed. 
Mick
I'm lovin this new age Hot Rod, especially the 6 speed.
Mick
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,251
Likes: 16
From: Phoenix Arizona
The thermostat only controls the initial temperature at which the coolant will be allowed to circulate through the system. Once it begins circulating, the thermostat has no bearing on the temperature of the coolant until it cools and the thermostat closes. The coolant temperature will be whatever the system allows it to be. That's dependent on the radiator, fan(s), air intake, car moving or stationery, etc.
i changed over to water wetter and man i run cooler now 
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
I use WATER WETTER as well. From what I know, it's designed to make water more slippery (if that makes sense). There's a word for it and a long technical explanation, but "slippery" is so much easier to remember.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,565
Likes: 6
From: Henderson NV
When I had this coolant system work done I thought about adding Water Wetter too. Read a few threads about it on this Forum and the concensus seemed to be the Water Wetter works good with water, but doesn't do any good with the coolant used in the C5 system, so I decided against adding it. Read where if you change the coolant every 20k miles, the system stays lubricated from the coolant.
Like I said earlier, I think I'm smarter than I really am so maybe I should have added the Water Wetter too.
Mick
Like I said earlier, I think I'm smarter than I really am so maybe I should have added the Water Wetter too.
Mick
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
I also read pros and cons about using WATER WETTER with water only or with coolant. You might check the REDLINE website for the manufacturers suggestions on that.
Both coolant and WATER WETTER have abilities to lubricate the water pump seals, but WATER WETTER has the additional ability to act as a surfactant (that's the fancy word meaning "slippery").
I've always run WATER WETTER with the orange extended life coolant (either DEXCOOL or newer versions from PRESTONE and others), w/o the pellets that caused so much grief in earlier LT1 motors.
I don't know if it's harmful, wasteful or hype, but I figure for all the money I've saved by not changing my oil every 3,000 miles...
Both coolant and WATER WETTER have abilities to lubricate the water pump seals, but WATER WETTER has the additional ability to act as a surfactant (that's the fancy word meaning "slippery").
I've always run WATER WETTER with the orange extended life coolant (either DEXCOOL or newer versions from PRESTONE and others), w/o the pellets that caused so much grief in earlier LT1 motors.
I don't know if it's harmful, wasteful or hype, but I figure for all the money I've saved by not changing my oil every 3,000 miles...
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,565
Likes: 6
From: Henderson NV
I'll check Redline's website.
This brings up a question. If I were to add the Water Wetter, do I add it to the plastic coolant tank? How will the Water Wetter get circulated throughout the coolant system adding it there, or does the coolant in this tank circulate throughout the engine?
Just got off the phone with a Tech guy at Redline. First thing I found out was here in Central Calif you really don't need 50-50 Dexcool to water, I could go to 15-85 Dexcool to water for a more effecient cooling system good to -18 deg. Water Wetter is compatible with Dexcool, so again...........shows what I know (or don't know). He also says that adding the Water Wetter to the expansion tank will get it into the cooling system after about 4-5 heat-cool cycles.
Off to add some Water Wetter, L8TR.
Thanks
Mick
This brings up a question. If I were to add the Water Wetter, do I add it to the plastic coolant tank? How will the Water Wetter get circulated throughout the coolant system adding it there, or does the coolant in this tank circulate throughout the engine?
Just got off the phone with a Tech guy at Redline. First thing I found out was here in Central Calif you really don't need 50-50 Dexcool to water, I could go to 15-85 Dexcool to water for a more effecient cooling system good to -18 deg. Water Wetter is compatible with Dexcool, so again...........shows what I know (or don't know). He also says that adding the Water Wetter to the expansion tank will get it into the cooling system after about 4-5 heat-cool cycles.
Off to add some Water Wetter, L8TR.
Thanks
Mick
Last edited by Mach2; Mar 8, 2007 at 03:27 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
...there you go...the expansion tank is the only place you can add the WATER WETTER unless you remove the top hose. The tank is where I add mine. I found SUMMIT RACING to have it for a good price if you can't find it elsewhere.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,251
Likes: 16
From: Phoenix Arizona
oh yeah
with the added water and less anti freeze and the water wetter your gonna be happy!
cool man!
also............
you might want to blow out the exterior of your radiater, hi pressure water or air. the fins get clogged with road dust & dirt, the fog helps make a mud in there
so the increased air flow through your radiator will help a lot too!
and.......... you could get a higher flowing fan for the radiator also
seena few guys do that here on the forum and were pleasantly suprised
cool man!
also............
you might want to blow out the exterior of your radiater, hi pressure water or air. the fins get clogged with road dust & dirt, the fog helps make a mud in there
so the increased air flow through your radiator will help a lot too!
and.......... you could get a higher flowing fan for the radiator also
seena few guys do that here on the forum and were pleasantly suprised
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,565
Likes: 6
From: Henderson NV
Thanks folks, appreciate your help. Water Wetter is going in tomorrow and then...............well, might as well take it for a little scoot, huh? 
Cleaned out the front of the radiator at the dealer when the coolant system was flushed.
Let's Rock and Roll............
Mick
Cleaned out the front of the radiator at the dealer when the coolant system was flushed.
Let's Rock and Roll............
Mick
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 416
Likes: 2
From: Aquilla TX
Funny you should say that hotwheels57. I got rid of a 32 Ford Highboy Roadster with a crate 350/350 trans, 8" Ford rear, glass body and tons of fun. Just got tired of the old school Hot Rods that I'd had previous to this C5. Holley carb leaking, blowing power valves, always wiping a leak. Loved it though.....
I'm lovin this new age Hot Rod, especially the 6 speed.
Mick
I'm lovin this new age Hot Rod, especially the 6 speed.
Mick
Cruizer