Cooling in the desert
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Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 51
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From: Scottsdale AZ
Cooling in the desert
I have a 178* thermostat and throttle body coolant bypass installed. Now that ambient air temperatures are around 110*, I am seeeing coolant temps in the range of 205-208* on my DIC. Any concerns with that engine temp? Should I have a switch mod to turn the fans on earlier? If so, can I use the low-cost Perma-Cool [$29] from Jegs or do I need the far more expensive Davinci kit [$179]?
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 21,404
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From: Various places in Southern California.
Re: Cooling in the desert (gjpundsack)
No real problem with those temps, at least from a reliability point-of-view.
Having the fans come on earlier will help if you're seeing these temps in stop and go traffic, but won't reduce the temp when you're in motion--then the radiator gets all the airflow it needs from the motion of the car.
Having the fans come on earlier will help if you're seeing these temps in stop and go traffic, but won't reduce the temp when you're in motion--then the radiator gets all the airflow it needs from the motion of the car.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 2,483
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From: Wilmington DE
Re: Cooling in the desert (gjpundsack)
I completely agree with Duck916. If those are your "in Motion" temps, then turning on the fans at a lower temp will not help to lower the operating temperatures.
If you want to see lower coolant temperatures, then you will have to remove more heat from your engine's cooling system. The only reliable way to do this is to install a larger capacity "racing" radiator. I have a Be-Cool radiator in my FRC, and after many hot laps at VIR on a 100 degree day my coolant temperature is about 185. This is with a 178 degree thermostat, and no fans running, of course the average speed of about 100mph sure does help. :D
If you want to see lower coolant temperatures, then you will have to remove more heat from your engine's cooling system. The only reliable way to do this is to install a larger capacity "racing" radiator. I have a Be-Cool radiator in my FRC, and after many hot laps at VIR on a 100 degree day my coolant temperature is about 185. This is with a 178 degree thermostat, and no fans running, of course the average speed of about 100mph sure does help. :D
Racer
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 253
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From: San Gabriel CA
Re: Cooling in the desert (gjpundsack)
Assuming you are driving with the air conditioner off, you can turn the fan on by turning on the air conditioner, however I don't know whether turning the air on will put too much load on the engine, and could make thing even worst, may be some one on this forum can clear this up.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,511
Likes: 1
From: paradise valley az. us
Re: Cooling in the desert (gmmerc5)
we carry the finest hand crafted Alum radiator with integral oil cooler and were 15 minutes from Scottsdale we install them as well and you will see a major drop in temp when beatind I my 427 TT my oil stays between 190-210 and water in the 190-200 range.
Ive naticed the temps on both fluids are much lower and always within 15-20(max) degrees apart.Give Nate or Mike a Buzz and we'll be happy to pop one in and you will Love it I've run mine 2 years under extreme conditions and it never fails me any questions give us a jingle.Dave
Ive naticed the temps on both fluids are much lower and always within 15-20(max) degrees apart.Give Nate or Mike a Buzz and we'll be happy to pop one in and you will Love it I've run mine 2 years under extreme conditions and it never fails me any questions give us a jingle.Dave
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,511
Likes: 1
From: paradise valley az. us
Re: Cooling in the desert (davidmax)
By the way you dont need to buy the Vinci in Az. anymore next week we can do any PCM mods like fan adjustments ,tire/wheel speedo adj. etc for 75.00 and for another 50.00 you can get 2 dyno pulls including fuel/air etc.We will do complete Dyno Tuning for 100.00 per hour on modded cars let us get that misiing 10-20+ rrwhp that the mail order chip cant do like a tech with all the PCM software hooked to the Dyno-Jet.Dave
