[Z06] Coolant temperature question
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Memphis Tn
Coolant temperature question
When driving my coolant temp stays around 192. But if I'm stopped for more then a couple minutes it climbs up to 225.
Is this normal??
All fluids are fine, anyone else notice this??
Is this normal??
All fluids are fine, anyone else notice this??
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,458
Likes: 105
From: Northville Michigan
Re: Coolant temperature question (JohnsZO6)
John,
Yes it is normal.
You can do a number of things to change it if you are not happy, or if you just want your Vette to run cooler, which is good for long life.
1) You can install a lower temperature thermostat. I have a 160 degree F thermostat in my Z06. They also come in a 180 degree version. Your production thermostat is approximately 190 degrees F. My coolant temperature at cruise is 172 degrees F.
2) You can have a knowledgeable tuner reset the temperature at which your primary and secondary cooling fans come on. The 225 degrees that you are seeing is because the factory set your fans to come on at approximately that temperature. I have my primary fan come on at 185 degrees F.
3) You can replace your OEM radiator with a high performance, high capacity radiator. I have a Ron Davis Racing radiator in my Z06.
If you are unhappy with your high temps, I would like to suggest that you change to a lower temp thermostat and have your fans turned on at a lower temperature as a start.
Good luck with your Vette. :seeya
[Modified by Pumba, 5:53 PM 3/14/2004]
Yes it is normal.
You can do a number of things to change it if you are not happy, or if you just want your Vette to run cooler, which is good for long life.
1) You can install a lower temperature thermostat. I have a 160 degree F thermostat in my Z06. They also come in a 180 degree version. Your production thermostat is approximately 190 degrees F. My coolant temperature at cruise is 172 degrees F.
2) You can have a knowledgeable tuner reset the temperature at which your primary and secondary cooling fans come on. The 225 degrees that you are seeing is because the factory set your fans to come on at approximately that temperature. I have my primary fan come on at 185 degrees F.
3) You can replace your OEM radiator with a high performance, high capacity radiator. I have a Ron Davis Racing radiator in my Z06.
If you are unhappy with your high temps, I would like to suggest that you change to a lower temp thermostat and have your fans turned on at a lower temperature as a start.
Good luck with your Vette. :seeya
[Modified by Pumba, 5:53 PM 3/14/2004]
Racer
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 334
Likes: 0
From: Gilbert AZ
Re: Coolant temperature question (JohnsZO6)
If you get into traffic i.e. low airflow thru the radiator, put the fan in recirc or kick the A/C on and the second fan will turn on and bring the temp down!
Ken
Ken
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 69,020
Likes: 0
From: Bagpipes put the "fun" in "funeral"
Re: Coolant temperature question (Pumba)
John,
Yes it is normal.
You can do a number of things to change it if you are not happy, or if you just want your Vette to run cooler, which is good for long life.
1) You can install a lower temperature thermostat. I have a 160 degree F thermostat in my Z06. They also come in s 180 degree versions Your production thermostat is approximately 190 degrees F. My coolant temperature at cruise is 172 degrees F.
Yes it is normal.
You can do a number of things to change it if you are not happy, or if you just want your Vette to run cooler, which is good for long life.
1) You can install a lower temperature thermostat. I have a 160 degree F thermostat in my Z06. They also come in s 180 degree versions Your production thermostat is approximately 190 degrees F. My coolant temperature at cruise is 172 degrees F.
Keep in mind that a cooler thermostat has no effect on the temps you hit while sitting in traffic. If your coolant is going to get up to 225, it'll get there whether the thermostat opens up at 160 or 190.
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Verdad Gallardo
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 10,649
Likes: 31
From: Central Florida
Re: Coolant temperature question (JohnsZO6)
There is nothing unusual or harmful about the termperture fluctuations you are experiencing. Normal. No reason to worry or change the oem thermostat.
At 20K miles my Z06 has seen A LOT of city miles and high temps in traffic.
But at speed, the engine quickly finds 192-194, the temp at which the engine seems to produce max power at the drag strip.
This past weekend, after five months of city driving, I returned to the track bone-stock on F1SCs and ripped off a series of passes in the 11s and a bunch in the 12.0X.
So, my suggestion is to leave your radiator and thermostat stock unless you have a lot of road racing in your future.
Ranger
At 20K miles my Z06 has seen A LOT of city miles and high temps in traffic.
But at speed, the engine quickly finds 192-194, the temp at which the engine seems to produce max power at the drag strip.
This past weekend, after five months of city driving, I returned to the track bone-stock on F1SCs and ripped off a series of passes in the 11s and a bunch in the 12.0X.
So, my suggestion is to leave your radiator and thermostat stock unless you have a lot of road racing in your future.
Ranger
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,058
Likes: 9,817
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Re: Coolant temperature question (Ranger)
I agree. You do not need to worry. There is too much emphasis on 1960s concerns about engine temps. The only temp that requires close watching if you use the car hard is the oil temp. A lot of WOT driving will push it over 300 degrees.
Bill
Bill
