COOLING question...???
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,176
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From: Orange, CT
COOLING question...???
We all know that a car's engine is pretty much it's hottest at shutdown... I typically run at around 196-198 degrees when cruising, and up to 205 if stuck in traffic. Last night, after stopping at a gas station to fill up, I noticed that upon start up the coolant temp shot up to around 226 and then the fans kicked on and as I drove away it quickly went back down to around 198 again. This is normal, I know. When I got home and parked the car in the garage, I shut it down but left the ACC power on to see the coolant temp... It went from around 200 at shut down, up to about 215 and stayed there for longer than I cared to stick around... Fans were not on, it just stayed at around 215.
So my question is this; would it be at all benefitial to have an external fan (like a small dyno fan) in front of the car to aid in cooling after shut down? This would be only in the garage of course. Or can the fans be programmed to stay on until the temp is lets say <200 degrees? Would this even be necessary... or am I just crazy? :o
So my question is this; would it be at all benefitial to have an external fan (like a small dyno fan) in front of the car to aid in cooling after shut down? This would be only in the garage of course. Or can the fans be programmed to stay on until the temp is lets say <200 degrees? Would this even be necessary... or am I just crazy? :o
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,651
Likes: 125
From: laguna niguel ca
They run them hot for emissions. not performance. Since 1999 all my LS type motors have run a 160 stat and had the fan settings changed to work with it. Never had a problem. Presently my 05 C6 is running a 427 stroker motor, making 525rwhp and it also has a 160 stat. 178-183 on the highway and never gets over 200 in traffic even at a long traffic light. Gas milage is at 26.5mpg highway. BTW pulled my Modded 461rwhp LS2 motor,and put it into my son's C5,and before I did I pulled the pan to take a look and with 50,000 miles on the clock it was as clean as a new motor.So much for the theory that oil has to be hot the keep everything clean. It is hot at 205 degrees. It doesen't need to be 220 or more to clean the motor. anyway that's my intel on coolant temps.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,837
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Well, it'd probably help some, because you'll get some convection flow if you cool the radiator. Cooler water in the radiator sinks, pushing into the bottom of the engine, hotter water in the engine rises, pushing into the radiator. Not as fast as running the pump, but should get there.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,969
Likes: 8
From: NJ
You are over thinking. Car is fine sitting at 200 degrees after shut down. Placing a fan in front of the car will have no effect and will make your neighbors think you are a nut 
Its just a Corvette folks, its not the Space Shuttle
I envy everyone that treats these cars like they are a teacup poodle, its a wonderful respect for the car. I mean no disrespect by my comments and I share a love for these things with all of you. However, beat the ole girl like a rented mule every now and again. She will love it.
Its just a Corvette folks, its not the Space Shuttle
I envy everyone that treats these cars like they are a teacup poodle, its a wonderful respect for the car. I mean no disrespect by my comments and I share a love for these things with all of you. However, beat the ole girl like a rented mule every now and again. She will love it.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,176
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From: Orange, CT
You are over thinking. Car is fine sitting at 200 degrees after shut down. Placing a fan in front of the car will have no effect and will make your neighbors think you are a nut
Its just a Corvette folks, its not the Space Shuttle I envy everyone that treats these cars like they are a teacup poodle, its a wonderful respect for the car. I mean no disrespect by my comments and I share a love for these things with all of you. However, beat the ole girl like a rented mule every now and again. She will love it.
Its just a Corvette folks, its not the Space Shuttle
I envy everyone that treats these cars like they are a teacup poodle, its a wonderful respect for the car. I mean no disrespect by my comments and I share a love for these things with all of you. However, beat the ole girl like a rented mule every now and again. She will love it.The only reason that I try and keep an eye on things is because the car has ZERO warranty and is far from stock. With about $80,000 invested, I just want to be sure I stay at least a little bit concerned with the engine's longevity...
So, should I put my 160 drgree thermostat in...?
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Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,969
Likes: 8
From: NJ
That's what I figured...
The only reason that I try and keep an eye on things is because the car has ZERO warranty and is far from stock. With about $80,000 invested, I just want to be sure I stay at least a little bit concerned with the engine's longevity...
So, should I put my 160 drgree thermostat in...?
The only reason that I try and keep an eye on things is because the car has ZERO warranty and is far from stock. With about $80,000 invested, I just want to be sure I stay at least a little bit concerned with the engine's longevity...
So, should I put my 160 drgree thermostat in...?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,176
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From: Orange, CT
I'm at $78k and I had zero warranty 3 months into owning it. I respect ya brother. These are great motors and most failures I see have been due to an improper tune with FI, just bad luck or dopey installs. I have a 160 stat in mine. There are 2 schools of thought on this, one being the cooler the better, the other being that the heat helps the combustion and without it bla bla bla. I agree with andreas that its emissions based and have always run them in my cars. I like them as cool as possible. There have been numerous debates by pointed headed engineers that say running them is a bad idea but again, all I can tell ya is that I run one in my stroker with no problems. I'm definetly not a thermodynamics student, just an ole school hot rodder.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: az
With the TT setup I am running, wouldn't cooler be better? I read somewhare that GM says the car makes the most power at 185 degrees... With the 160 'stat in, I should be in that temp range, right? Any idea why would that be a bad thing from an engineering/thermodynamics standpoint...?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,488
Likes: 27
From: Long Island NY
After parking it in your garage on a hot day, you can simply open the hood... that alone will let a lot of heat out, will help things cool quicker. It's not necessary, but... it IS one easy way to help let a lot of heat escape quickly from the engine compartment if you are concerned. I'm more concerned about warming up the engine in the winter than I am about cooling it in the summer though... but... after all, it's just a car... it'll be fine and last plenty long regardless.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,969
Likes: 8
From: NJ
tom, you will be around 180* in high air flow situation with that 160 stat. there is no bad engineering / thermodynamic stand point that ACTUALLY APPLIES to your car. there are general engineering points on cleaner burning / emission/ efficiency....that is about it. with TT your iat is probably around 200* + even with intercoolers. if you have hptuner, data log it you will see what i mean. with 160 stat it will help from preventing detonation / engine knock & lower your iat a little.
Your IATs will be high regardless due to the compression like he said. The T stat will open sooner and allow the water to flow earlier helping keep the motor cooler. I'd love to see a turbo tune. I wonder what they do to the IAT table? Tom, is your car tuned with HP? Do you have a file I can look at?
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,533
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From: az
Yeah what he said Your IATs will be high regardless due to the compression like he said. The T stat will open sooner and allow the water to flow earlier helping keep the motor cooler. I'd love to see a turbo tune. I wonder what they do to the IAT table? Tom, is your car tuned with HP? Do you have a file I can look at?
Your IATs will be high regardless due to the compression like he said. The T stat will open sooner and allow the water to flow earlier helping keep the motor cooler. I'd love to see a turbo tune. I wonder what they do to the IAT table? Tom, is your car tuned with HP? Do you have a file I can look at?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,176
Likes: 0
From: Orange, CT
tom, you will be around 180* in high air flow situation with that 160 stat. there is no bad engineering / thermodynamic stand point that ACTUALLY APPLIES to your car. there are general engineering points on cleaner burning / emission/ efficiency....that is about it. with TT your iat is probably around 200* + even with intercoolers. if you have hptuner, data log it you will see what i mean. with 160 stat it will help from preventing detonation / engine knock & lower your iat a little.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 207
Likes: 2
From: A'ali
Thanks for the info. I am definately going to put the thermostat in. I am using HP Tuners, however I don't tune the car myself. I am going to the shop that built/tuned the car on Friday, so I will have my tuner email me a data log file and PM it to those who want it...
Fan settings are accessible by goin to System --> Fans
I live in the middle-east and although its still May, I could cook scrambled eggs on my bonnet