Normal Operating Temp
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 926
Likes: 0
Normal Operating Temp
What is the normal operating temp for these cars in stop and go traffic? I live in So. Cal. and my 07 temp runs 195 to 220 in traffic. Is that normal if so I am going to serious look into the 160 thermostat.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 430
Likes: 1
From: Thousand Oaks CA
Running the engine at a lower temperture will make it less efficient...Believe that the engineers at GM know what they're doing when they design your car to run at the higher temperatures that those of 40 years ago...
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 24,491
Likes: 312
From: Scottsdale AZ
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 27,420
Likes: 64
From: San Clemente CA
Originally Posted by hbvette07
What is the normal operating temp for these cars in stop and go traffic? I live in So. Cal. and my 07 temp runs 195 to 220 in traffic. Is that normal if so I am going to serious look into the 160 thermostat.
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Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 15,323
Likes: 2,077
From: Guelph, Ontario
Originally Posted by Firedog
Running the engine at a lower temperture will make it less efficient...Believe that the engineers at GM know what they're doing when they design your car to run at the higher temperatures that those of 40 years ago...
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,549
Likes: 1
From: Roanoke Virginia
180* is the ideal operating temp. That is, oil temp. Production cars are set higher for EPA reasons. Mostly errors, but that's another story. Some parts have a shorter half-life at higher temperatures. Some at lower temps. With a 160* t'stat and no obstructions in the grill, you will run 172-174 highway and 192-194 traffic. Every obstruction appears to add 5-10 degrees to those temps. I don't know how it affects stock. Air intake temp should be as low as you can get. I hope that helps.
