LS3 Temperture
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,457
Likes: 297
From: corpus christi Texas
LS3 Temperture
I have searched for threads on this subject,but can not find them.anyway my question is What is the optimun temperture for a LS3 engine ( or any engine) to run at.? I had a cam & tune done & the tuner changed my fan speed,but even in the cool weather down here (40's & 50's)my themperture is still runing at 207 & up to 212 degrees.I have talked to some guys & they said that it shoud run in the 190's for best performence & i agree with that.The tuner did not change out my thremastat.......Thanks for any input on what i should do....Have a Merry xmas.......MY iespell is not working.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,565
Likes: 2
From: The Great Pacific Northwest...........I carry a gun cause a cops too heavy.
When I had my tune done the tuner explained to me that the stock thermostat is 187 degrees. He required I install a 160 degree thermostat to keep the avarage running temp around 200 degrees. 
Last edited by CH-Z51; Dec 22, 2009 at 07:34 PM. Reason: spelling
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 106
Likes: 1
From: Texas
You still have the same amount of water running through the engine to extract waste heat and the same size radiator.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 3,248
Likes: 4
From: Palm Beach County, Florida
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 106
Likes: 1
From: Texas
What I'm saying is that if your coolant temp is at 210-220°F after some aggressive driving with a 195°F thermostat, you can switch to a 160°F thermostat or take the thermostat out completely and it's still going to reach 210-220°F under the same driving conditions. The cooling capacity has not changed. The only way I can see it helping is if you are doing short bursts where it would take longer to heat the coolant up from 180 to 220 than it would from 195 to 220. For anything continuous, it won't make a difference.
It's also going to warm up slower and use more fuel because it's running richer when it's cold. It wouldn't cost GM any more to put a 160°F thermostat in a car. There's a purpose for it being higher (emissions, fuel usage).
Last edited by s2kvince; Dec 22, 2009 at 11:38 PM.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2008
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From: Rochester New York
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,207
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From: St. Louis MO
Leave the thermostat alone. Changing it only buys you trouble.
Follow the link to a post by Evil-Twin, a retired GM engineer who worked on the LS1 cooling system.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...4&postcount=64
Follow the link to a post by Evil-Twin, a retired GM engineer who worked on the LS1 cooling system.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...4&postcount=64