Normal operating temp
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 332
Likes: 24
From: Denton, TX My goal in life is to be as good of a person that my dog already thinks I am.
Normal operating temp
Stock 2008 with stock thermostat what is the normal operating temperature cruising down the highway?
Racer
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 439
Likes: 68
188-207. Depends on a lot of factors...there is not set temp for each. Mine ran 188-194 with the original stat. When I changed to rad and stat it ran 205. Before and after the change the temperatures were consistent and controlled, so there wasn’t an issue… new stat just behaved different than the original one.I now run a 160 and consistently see 169- 174
Last edited by Dman302; May 3, 2019 at 06:33 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 25,105
Likes: 3,155
C6 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
My 07 with stock thermostat runs between 195 and 210. Outside air temp and speed will influence temp.
I 35 in Ft Worth has been under construction for years. Going thru a section with those concrete barriers on both sides will cause it to run hotter. Air is still and hotter there. Regularly see 215.
I 35 in Ft Worth has been under construction for years. Going thru a section with those concrete barriers on both sides will cause it to run hotter. Air is still and hotter there. Regularly see 215.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 1,030
Likes: 218
From: Fredericksburg VA
is there a Stat that is recommended to replace the stock one? Mine is typically around 190-200 and have seen it up around 220 when stuck in traffic. Would like to get is max out at 200 in traffic so would like to replace the stat.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 5,187
Likes: 1,215
From: Las Vegas Nevada
[QUOTE=SPSandman;1599337668]is there a Stat that is recommended to replace the stock one? Mine is typically around 190-200 and have seen it up around 220 when stuck in traffic. Would like to get is max out at 200 in traffic so would like to replace the stat.[/QUOTE
If you live in cold weather and have an automatic trans, that may not be a good idea. The system is designed to keep the engine heat at a safe range while allowing the trans to achieve proper temp in cold weather. I live in Vegas, drive in traffic sometimes in 115 degrees, and have not had an actual temp problem, ever. Yes, it does get above 210 for awhile, but that is not dangerously hot.
If you live in cold weather and have an automatic trans, that may not be a good idea. The system is designed to keep the engine heat at a safe range while allowing the trans to achieve proper temp in cold weather. I live in Vegas, drive in traffic sometimes in 115 degrees, and have not had an actual temp problem, ever. Yes, it does get above 210 for awhile, but that is not dangerously hot.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,974
Likes: 148
From: Magnolia Texas
Stock 2008 runs at 196 on highway and at speed most days. When air temp goes up in summer, still runs <200 unless in traffic. Will see 210-218 but never over 220. Check for radiator clogging due to debris under the splitter. I found a plastic bag behind the splitter that I couldn’t see until I raised the front end and crawled under the car.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 16,557
Likes: 2,106
From: Peoria/Phoenix AZ
C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Stock stat is 186*. DIC reads about 8-10 above the stat, due to the sensor location. Engine temps can go higher than trans temps without long term damage. The trans longevity prefers 175*. WOT performance below 150* on the trans is marginal at best.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 1,030
Likes: 218
From: Fredericksburg VA
[QUOTE=buckmeister2;1599338036]
How is the engine coolant related to the A6 transmission? If the stock stat is 186, I don't see how a 176 would make a huge difference in that department. It is typically in the 200 range, but when it gets up around 220 and a touch above, I would feel better if it was at 212-215 in those situations. I am in VA so not a crazy cold area anyway.
is there a Stat that is recommended to replace the stock one? Mine is typically around 190-200 and have seen it up around 220 when stuck in traffic. Would like to get is max out at 200 in traffic so would like to replace the stat.[/QUOTE
If you live in cold weather and have an automatic trans, that may not be a good idea. The system is designed to keep the engine heat at a safe range while allowing the trans to achieve proper temp in cold weather. I live in Vegas, drive in traffic sometimes in 115 degrees, and have not had an actual temp problem, ever. Yes, it does get above 210 for awhile, but that is not dangerously hot.
If you live in cold weather and have an automatic trans, that may not be a good idea. The system is designed to keep the engine heat at a safe range while allowing the trans to achieve proper temp in cold weather. I live in Vegas, drive in traffic sometimes in 115 degrees, and have not had an actual temp problem, ever. Yes, it does get above 210 for awhile, but that is not dangerously hot.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 9,813
Likes: 628
From: Texas
Replacing the stat will not achieve your goal. The fan programming allows the car to reach 220 in traffic. You can have the fan programming changed.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 332
Likes: 24
From: Denton, TX My goal in life is to be as good of a person that my dog already thinks I am.
Ok mine obviously is not within the norm. I’ve replaced the thermostat twice with a AC Delco and run 205-207 on the highway no matter what the outside temp is. Yes I’ve bled the system of air. Any suggestions?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,457
Likes: 297
From: corpus christi Texas
[QUOTE=SPSandman;1599339063]
How is the engine coolant related to the A6 transmission? If the stock stat is 186, I don't see how a 176 would make a huge difference in that department. It is typically in the 200 range, but when it gets up around 220 and a touch above, I would feel better if it was at 212-215 in those situations. I am in VA so not a crazy cold area anyway.
The Auto tranny lines are connected to the rad.
How is the engine coolant related to the A6 transmission? If the stock stat is 186, I don't see how a 176 would make a huge difference in that department. It is typically in the 200 range, but when it gets up around 220 and a touch above, I would feel better if it was at 212-215 in those situations. I am in VA so not a crazy cold area anyway.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,147
Likes: 452
From: Port St. Lucie West Florida
07 stock approx 196 on highway. Tranny as mentioned ideal temp is 175. If the tranny ever ran real hot I would put in a cooler like I did in my old C4. ( I live in Florida so it’s hot outside)
Last edited by enventr; May 4, 2019 at 03:36 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,330
Likes: 148
From: 1000 Islands Ontario
As part of a maintenance program, I changed my original stat with a new ACDelco thermostat. LS3 ran 2-3 degrees warmer - I guess subtle differences in the thermostat spring. No biggee, but I went back to the stock stat and temps were just fine.
Are you changing your rad coolant as required? I change dexcool every 5 years, and mix with 50/50 distilled water,
Is your condenser clean? I use a black aluminum window screen just beyond the front grille. Traps zillions of bugs which would otherwise end up in the condenser which would block airflow to the rad.
I would like to find an aftermarket 180 degree stat, but have had no luck finding one for an LS3.
M...
Are you changing your rad coolant as required? I change dexcool every 5 years, and mix with 50/50 distilled water,
Is your condenser clean? I use a black aluminum window screen just beyond the front grille. Traps zillions of bugs which would otherwise end up in the condenser which would block airflow to the rad.
I would like to find an aftermarket 180 degree stat, but have had no luck finding one for an LS3.
M...
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 85
Likes: 3
As part of a maintenance program, I changed my original stat with a new ACDelco thermostat. LS3 ran 2-3 degrees warmer - I guess subtle differences in the thermostat spring. No biggee, but I went back to the stock stat and temps were just fine.
Are you changing your rad coolant as required? I change dexcool every 5 years, and mix with 50/50 distilled water,
Is your condenser clean? I use a black aluminum window screen just beyond the front grille. Traps zillions of bugs which would otherwise end up in the condenser which would block airflow to the rad.
I would like to find an aftermarket 180 degree stat, but have had no luck finding one for an LS3.
M...
Are you changing your rad coolant as required? I change dexcool every 5 years, and mix with 50/50 distilled water,
Is your condenser clean? I use a black aluminum window screen just beyond the front grille. Traps zillions of bugs which would otherwise end up in the condenser which would block airflow to the rad.
I would like to find an aftermarket 180 degree stat, but have had no luck finding one for an LS3.
M...
There are 174 degree thermostats available.