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Overheating with A/C

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Old Aug 15, 2012 | 08:05 PM
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Default Overheating with A/C

Car runs pretty normal relative to engine heat seems a little higher than most other cars but its constant. When I run the A/C it warms up quite a bit and the other day I had to pull over on the highway because it got so hot and I didn't want to hurt the engine. Replaced the thermostat, changed coolant and cleaned out my radiator. What do you think might be the problem causing it to over heat? I'm assuming it's the radiator (it doesn't look so hot, kind of beat to **** when I bought the car), I just don't want to spend the money on a new one if it's not the problem. Thanks.
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Old Aug 15, 2012 | 08:28 PM
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What do you consider 'overheating?' These cars are fully capable of running 230+ degrees without issues, so please be more specific about your overheating issue.
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Old Aug 15, 2012 | 09:01 PM
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Well the gauge tops out at 260 and the other day when I pulled over it was around 240-250. Everyone locally I've talked to (dyno shops and such) has said anything over 220 is too hot.. not necessarily harmful until but way to hot for what it should be running.

It runs great when my A/C is off, it's a mark or two below 220 with it off. The second I turn it on it goes straight to probably 230 within a few minutes and keeps going up if I leave the A/C on.

And on a side note it's cammed/full exhaust/cai and intake monifold so I'm pushing for more HP and lower heat = more hp so getting to 240+ let alone 220 is robbing potential HP.
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Old Aug 15, 2012 | 09:37 PM
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Originally Posted by Kooker01Z
Well the gauge tops out at 260 and the other day when I pulled over it was around 240-250. Everyone locally I've talked to (dyno shops and such) has said anything over 220 is too hot.. not necessarily harmful until but way to hot for what it should be running.

It runs great when my A/C is off, it's a mark or two below 220 with it off. The second I turn it on it goes straight to probably 230 within a few minutes and keeps going up if I leave the A/C on.

And on a side note it's cammed/full exhaust/cai and intake monifold so I'm pushing for more HP and lower heat = more hp so getting to 240+ let alone 220 is robbing potential HP.
I would agree that above 240 you're getting into actual overheating territory, but the fans don't even come onto full high speed until 235. Some folks on here don't feel its a true 'overheat' until the car pukes out coolant.

Have you checked to ensure both of your cooling fans are actually spinning? Also, does it overheat at freeway speeds or drop back down to 190-200ish?

What are your ambient temps?
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Old Aug 15, 2012 | 09:47 PM
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What is the optimum or design temp for an LS-1?
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Old Aug 15, 2012 | 10:00 PM
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It's been around 90-105 this summer. Lower 90's the past week or so. And the engine gets that hot at any speed, maybe just a little lower going 70 but not noticeably.

I'm not sure the "normal" running temp is on an LS-1. I have the z06 which is the LS-6 but I doubt it makes a difference on engine temp.
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Old Aug 15, 2012 | 10:06 PM
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Originally Posted by Kooker01Z
It's been around 90-105 this summer. Lower 90's the past week or so. And the engine gets that hot at any speed, maybe just a little lower going 70 but not noticeably.

I'm not sure the "normal" running temp is on an LS-1. I have the z06 which is the LS-6 but I doubt it makes a difference on engine temp.
I would suspect its a water flow issue then. Either your new thermostat wasn't any better than your old one, your radiator might be clogged somehow, or your water pump just isn't pumping like it ought to. Even in 95 degree weather my car quickly goes down to 190 degrees on the freeway with the a/c on. If the added airflow of highway speeds doesn't bring your temps down its either flow or heat exchange, but you say you cleaned the rad...
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Old Aug 15, 2012 | 10:22 PM
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Well the radiator doesn't look so hot even after cleaning a bunch of crap out of it. It's pretty banged up so I was thinking I might need a new one just didn't want to go spend that kind of money if it wasn't the issue.
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Old Aug 15, 2012 | 10:30 PM
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Is your spring loaded chin spoiler in place?
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Old Aug 15, 2012 | 10:36 PM
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No the guy before me took at the front bolts to lower it completely. Too low to have it on there. He also managed to cut out the entire radiator shroud for the CAI he put on so I just built some custom radiator shrouds to fill in the gaps around the intake filter.
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Old Aug 15, 2012 | 10:43 PM
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Originally Posted by Kooker01Z
No the guy before me took at the front bolts to lower it completely. Too low to have it on there. He also managed to cut out the entire radiator shroud for the CAI he put on so I just built some custom radiator shrouds to fill in the gaps around the intake filter.
That is at least some of your issue. The middle spoiler is required to properly pull air into the radiator at speed. Doesn't explain overheating at low speeds unless your fans aren't working as well...
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Old Aug 15, 2012 | 10:45 PM
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I haven't personally check the fans. I just got my car tuned and the guy said they both were when he set the temp for the fans to kick on (idk what he set them at). So, as far as I know they are both working properly. The guy said he would suggest a new radiator after he looked at my current one, just wanted to get some input from here on what you guys thought. Have found some for $120
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Old Aug 15, 2012 | 10:55 PM
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Originally Posted by Kooker01Z
I haven't personally check the fans. I just got my car tuned and the guy said they both were when he set the temp for the fans to kick on (idk what he set them at). So, as far as I know they are both working properly. The guy said he would suggest a new radiator after he looked at my current one, just wanted to get some input from here on what you guys thought. Have found some for $120
Don't skimp on radiator quality, it will cost you in the long run.
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Old Aug 15, 2012 | 10:57 PM
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Oh I won't I was looking at a Be-cool one but they are over $900 soooo ya. Just what I found at a auto website for $120
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Old Aug 15, 2012 | 11:01 PM
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Originally Posted by Kooker01Z
Oh I won't I was looking at a Be-cool one but they are over $900 soooo ya. Just what I found at a auto website for $120
I used a BeCool in the C3 I built and it was top drawer. But $900 is a bit heavy and $120 sounds a bit light.
You might check the GM suppliers who advertise here.
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Old Aug 15, 2012 | 11:08 PM
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Originally Posted by Kooker01Z
No the guy before me took at the front bolts to lower it completely. Too low to have it on there. He also managed to cut out the entire radiator shroud for the CAI he put on so I just built some custom radiator shrouds to fill in the gaps around the intake filter.
I have read that the original suspension design is such that it is optimum at the original ride height. The more it is lowered from OE, the worse it performs in cornering and ride quality.
Suggest you consider raising it at least enough to reinstall the chin spoiler.
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Old Aug 15, 2012 | 11:09 PM
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"radiator manual trans" from GM parts warehouse $263.
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Old Aug 15, 2012 | 11:10 PM
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Originally Posted by Kooker01Z
"radiator manual trans" from GM parts warehouse $263.
That sounds about right.........
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Old Aug 15, 2012 | 11:10 PM
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Originally Posted by flynhi
I have read that the original suspension design is such that it is optimum at the original ride height. The more it is lowered from OE, the worse it performs in cornering and ride quality.
Suggest you consider raising it at least enough to reinstall the chin spoiler.
I am going to raise it back up. I just have to order new bolts because he took them out completely.
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Old Aug 15, 2012 | 11:18 PM
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Originally Posted by Kooker01Z
I am going to raise it back up. I just have to order new bolts because he took them out completely.
I don't think these are available from GM. Check HardBar HBK-09.

The chin spoiler IS important. So get one for your cooling system while you're at it.......
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