LS3 "Normal" Engine Coolant Temps
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 179
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LS3 "Normal" Engine Coolant Temps
For those of you with '08s with LS3s; what are you running as far as engine coolant temperatures? I'm normally anywhere between about 201 and 223 degrees in the ambient temps we're now experiencing in southeastern Pennsylvania (between about 38 and 68 degrees). I can't say this alarms me, but it's a little higher than I would expect, and I wonder what they will be next summer when the weather's actually hot. My daily driver (a 2003 Tracker) always runs between 191 and 207 degrees, no matter whether it's 100 degrees out or 15. I realize this is anything but apples to apples, but just using it as somewhat of a comparrison.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 6,640
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From: Muscle Shoals, AL
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
My 08 runs a little over 200, up to about 215 normally. Our ambient temps are a little higher down here in Louisiana. I called a tech at the dealer, he said that if I was not getting a warning on the DIC, not to worry about it. Good enough for me. (and my warranty).
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 183
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From: Camas, WA
Engine Temps
I have an 08, w Z51. Also, have installed a Top Flite front license plate holder install (which blocks airflow to some extent). Yesterday, driving at 70 -75mph, sometimes in 5th and sometimes in 6th, oil temp was between 198 and 201. In heavy traffic, running 25-25, using lower gears, the temp went up to 218 then went back down as traffic cleared.
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Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,567
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From: Clovis, Ca.
It appears that the LS3 runs warmer than the LS2. My Z51 coolant temp ran around 205 all the way from Bowling Green to California. Around town, when I have the RPM's higher it is running around 215. On the freeways it maintains 205 to 208. Seems consistant with others. So far, I've not seen it above the low 220's.
Gene...
Gene...
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,537
Likes: 1
From: Southlake Texas
My wife and I drove to from Dallas to Houston and back last weekend. My LS3 coolant temperatures ran from 198 to 202 during the trip. Oil temps were from 205 to 225 depending on how hard we ran (60 to 88 mph).
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,133
Likes: 2
From: GEAUX TIGERS PSL FL.
Don`t know about LS3 engine temps. My 05 LS2 ran around 210 as a constant and around 240 and up when playing around. Although there are tuners around that tell you higher temps burn off contamanents in the oil (Mobil One is good to about 300 degrees). I added an oil cooler(makes it an 8 quart car) and electric water pump( 175degree stat)to help drop temps....my car runs normally in the 180 to 195 range and rarely heats up over 210 degrees even when pushed. I have actually tried to get it hotter to no avail. Good luck
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,133
Likes: 2
From: GEAUX TIGERS PSL FL.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,937
Likes: 1
From: Tempe Az
http://www.royalpurple.com/radiator-additive.html
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,133
Likes: 2
From: GEAUX TIGERS PSL FL.
I've used it in my other GM cars without a problem.
http://www.royalpurple.com/radiator-additive.html
http://www.royalpurple.com/radiator-additive.html
