I'd say that's a pretty fair statement. 
reduce fan temp
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,969
Likes: 202
From: Lyons Il
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
reduce fan temp
I would like to find out how I can reduce the temp at which the fans come on. I have changed the coolant with the standard 50/50 dex Cool and added a 180 thermostat. I would like to adjust the temperature at which the fans come on. The car currently does operate at a temperature that "is normal for what I've read here" but I want to reduce it. What is the easiest option, if any for me?
Thanks!
Thanks!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2012
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From: OK
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 5,278
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From: Kelowna BC
In a nutshell you have two choices:
1) Reprogram the fan turn on temps in the PCM.
2) Install an aftermarket device that will turn the fans on at a lower temp.
Keep in mind that the fans will only run at vehicle speeds below 35 mph if you do option 1. That's because the C5 PCM is set to command the fans OFF at speeds above 35 irrespective of coolant temp.
Some option 2 products WILL allow you to keep the fans on at speeds above 35. I have the following one that allows that:
http://www.saccitycorvette.com/COOLITv2.html
Realistically if your cooling system is in good working order then air flow through the radiator with the fans just free wheeling at speeds above 35 will keep the coolant temps in check.
1) Reprogram the fan turn on temps in the PCM.
2) Install an aftermarket device that will turn the fans on at a lower temp.
Keep in mind that the fans will only run at vehicle speeds below 35 mph if you do option 1. That's because the C5 PCM is set to command the fans OFF at speeds above 35 irrespective of coolant temp.
Some option 2 products WILL allow you to keep the fans on at speeds above 35. I have the following one that allows that:
http://www.saccitycorvette.com/COOLITv2.html
Realistically if your cooling system is in good working order then air flow through the radiator with the fans just free wheeling at speeds above 35 will keep the coolant temps in check.
Team Owner
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From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
HTH
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From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Le Mans Master
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From: CA.
St. Jude Donor '13-'14-'15
Even if you add a lower thermostat the engine will not run any cooler until you lower the fan settings----The stock settings in my opinion are way to late as to "on temperatures"
With an 180* thermo I would set the fans as such:
#1 fan ON at 195* and OFF at 187*
#2 fan ON at 205* and OFF at 196*
With an 180* thermo I would set the fans as such:
#1 fan ON at 195* and OFF at 187*
#2 fan ON at 205* and OFF at 196*
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,969
Likes: 202
From: Lyons Il
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Yup!
Even if you add a lower thermostat the engine will not run any cooler until you lower the fan settings----The stock settings in my opinion are way to late as to "on temperatures"
With an 180* thermo I would set the fans as such:
#1 fan ON at 195* and OFF at 187*
#2 fan ON at 205* and OFF at 196*
With an 180* thermo I would set the fans as such:
#1 fan ON at 195* and OFF at 187*
#2 fan ON at 205* and OFF at 196*
Acct Suspended APR 2026 by request
Joined: Dec 2010
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2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
C5 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
you can get hptuners for around $600 and do it yourself, find someone you know who has hptuners and spend $100 on the credits to make the changes, or find a local tuner to do it for you
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 5,375
Likes: 328
From: CA.
St. Jude Donor '13-'14-'15
Easiest and cheapest way is to get a "mail order " tune---normally around $150 --Several vendors here on the forum---
Side advantage is if you ever do any more engine mods they will retune it for you for a lower cost
Side advantage is if you ever do any more engine mods they will retune it for you for a lower cost
Acct Suspended APR 2026 by request
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2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
C5 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
I don't agree that a mail tune is easiest... you have to remove the pcm from the car and send it off, wait for the tuner to make changes and ship it back, then reinstall it in the car... you will be down for at least a week, maybe longer... then when you get the pcm back cross your fingers and hope they did their job correctly, if they made a small mistake then you are back to square one and down for another week or more... if you take it to a tuner or find someone local that has hptuners it will take a matter of minutes to reprogram the fans and you won't have to take your car apart or wait for an extended period of time... if you take it to a local tuner the same rule almost always applies, once you get tuned at their shop whenever you go back for changes you pay a substantially discounted rate, usually around $100-150 for retunes
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,969
Likes: 202
From: Lyons Il
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Tune
Thanks. I have reached out in a seperate post about asking someone if they can do this for me. No responses as of now. oh well. I'll find a way.
Acct Suspended APR 2026 by request
Joined: Dec 2010
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2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
C5 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
how much are you looking to spend?... a friend of mine is a vendor of hptuners, I believe it is right around $600 for the pro setup... it sounds expensive but you will probably end up using it quite a bit more than you think and you can also make your money back by charging your buddies to do stuff like this to their cars