Temps
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 21,325
Likes: 3,840
From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 383
Likes: 17
From: Whiteville NC
1/4 mile/AutoX
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 11,439
Likes: 2,183
From: Buffalo Texas
After my mods (headers and such) I needed a tune, and decided on a mail order tune from ECS (http://www.eastcoastsupercharging.com/) Doug recommend a 160 stat and after reading many posts on this I decided on a 180. With the tune they adjust the fans to come on earlier, mine runs almost all the time at 192 !!!!!!!! (my radiator and condensor are very clean)
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 21,325
Likes: 3,840
From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
The one thing that new owners do is equate this car ( this motor LSX ) and this body design ( Y Body bottom breather ) with any other car on the planet.. Note where the red line is located on your coolant gage.. your car is fine... just enjoy it.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 383
Likes: 17
From: Whiteville NC
It gets pretty warm here in the summer I'm about 25 miles from Myrtle Beach so just don't want my car overheating,But it is stock so I'll watch it closely then decide which way to go.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 964
Likes: 124
From: Chesapeake Va
After my mods (headers and such) I needed a tune, and decided on a mail order tune from ECS (http://www.eastcoastsupercharging.com/) Doug recommend a 160 stat and after reading many posts on this I decided on a 180. With the tune they adjust the fans to come on earlier, mine runs almost all the time at 192 !!!!!!!! (my radiator and condensor are very clean)
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 233
Likes: 77
From: OH
Your car will be fine. I had my car on the Dragon and The Snake (both high rpm slow speed) and the temp never got above 230. I've since cleaned the radiator (these cars tend to suck up dirt and debris) and it is work to get the car above 200.
A couple months ago I had to get the car inspected. Unfortunately that meant that I had to sit in line for about an hour. Got so bored I started playing with the AC to see how the car responded. AC on sitting still the car was at 198 (fans are on when the AC is on). When I turned off the AC the temperature climbed until the fans turned back on, temp dropped, fans turned off and temp started climbing again to start the cycle over.
Once again your car will be fine. On the highway in summer in AZ, my car read 200, and 212 when it was stopped (this was before the radiator was cleaned).
A couple months ago I had to get the car inspected. Unfortunately that meant that I had to sit in line for about an hour. Got so bored I started playing with the AC to see how the car responded. AC on sitting still the car was at 198 (fans are on when the AC is on). When I turned off the AC the temperature climbed until the fans turned back on, temp dropped, fans turned off and temp started climbing again to start the cycle over.
Once again your car will be fine. On the highway in summer in AZ, my car read 200, and 212 when it was stopped (this was before the radiator was cleaned).
Last edited by Clairvoyantwolf; Apr 21, 2016 at 06:25 PM.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 964
Likes: 124
From: Chesapeake Va
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,398
Likes: 768
From: jefferson texas
Mine runs just about exactly as yours temp wise, never had a problem. I believe it talks about this in your owners manual. If you don't have one try to get one, very handy to have on a multitude of issues. Best wishes to you!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,248
Likes: 325
From: Iowa
Totally normal temperatures. The red line is there for a reason. Same with on the gas gauge. If you go into the red then it's time to worry. My temps average 190-230 like ET stated. This is well within normal operating temperatures. Also, when you sit in traffic, not moving, your temperatures are going to rise. It's just how things work. 
Don't worry, your fans will come on at 226 degrees (don't quote me but there abouts) and will cool the engine down.
Don't worry, your fans will come on at 226 degrees (don't quote me but there abouts) and will cool the engine down.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 479
Likes: 44
From: Northern Colorado
Mine sits right below 190 all day but it is still pretty cool here in Colorado. I got to run the heck out of it a week or so ago and I hit 220. My gauges are at 11, 12 and 1 o'clock. 190, 40lbs and 14v typical....
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Are the lower airdams in good condition? Those pieces work to force air up into the opening where the radiator and A/C condenser are located. The center piece is especially important; if it's bent or has cracks or chunks missing, that will reduce the amount of air flowing thru the radiator.
Also look at the front of the condenser and the radiator for dirt and debris that will block airflow. The C5 is similar to the C4 in how sufficient air flow is necessary for proper cooling. You can vacuum a lot of the loose stuff out or use a garden hose from the fan side to push out the junk.
Also look at the front of the condenser and the radiator for dirt and debris that will block airflow. The C5 is similar to the C4 in how sufficient air flow is necessary for proper cooling. You can vacuum a lot of the loose stuff out or use a garden hose from the fan side to push out the junk.
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 49
Likes: 3
From: TEMECULA CA
My stock '88 with 140K in Souther California which the air temp reaching 100 easy runs 230 Oil Temp and 212 Water but both never exceed 240 when sitting in that LA traffic w A/C on. I feel like I'm driving an oven sometimes. lol
1/4 mile/AutoX
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 11,439
Likes: 2,183
From: Buffalo Texas
This is how my brain works, if my car stock runs at 220 or so and I get into a situation where I'm stuck in traffic or whatever, the engine has less room for higher temps. Mine with a 180 stat and runs at 190 (also have the fans come on earlier) I have much more before the engine cooks. That's how I think ??? not right or wrong !!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,700
Likes: 298
From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
Mine runs between 170 and 205...now in south Florida at 85 degrees.
The above depends upon either highway or stop and go traffic.
The above is with a 160 tstat, new water pump, new hoses, fresh DexCool and a new radiator cap.
The above depends upon either highway or stop and go traffic.
The above is with a 160 tstat, new water pump, new hoses, fresh DexCool and a new radiator cap.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,248
Likes: 325
From: Iowa
This is how my brain works, if my car stock runs at 220 or so and I get into a situation where I'm stuck in traffic or whatever, the engine has less room for higher temps. Mine with a 180 stat and runs at 190 (also have the fans come on earlier) I have much more before the engine cooks. That's how I think ??? not right or wrong !!!
As ET has said the car was designed to run hot. By putting a 180 thermostat in may actually cause more harm than good (I believe I remember ET stating this in the past but I may be wrong).