Why do Corvettes run so hot?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 297
Likes: 15
From: Gahanna Ohio
Why do Corvettes run so hot?
I'm getting ready to purchase an '08 Vette but I still have my S/C 97 Cobra Vert in the meantime. From the reading I've done on this forum and other places the Corvettes seem to run up around ~220 as a running temperature whilst all of the Mustangs I've had run around 195-200 as running temperature. Is there a reason for the increase in temperatures on the Vette?
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 18,396
Likes: 169
Strictly an emissions issue with all GM engines, I suspect. High operating temps leave little margin for error, hot cabin temps, and is rough on oil (don't care what the syn boys say!)and gaskets and seals. I run a big radiator, oil cooler, electric water pump and a 160 t'stat. Car still passed emissions, runs cool, cool cabin temps, and after 6k miles, oil is still like new. I'm sure the gm engineers have reasons for the high temps, but damned if I know what they are!
Team Owner
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 82,175
Likes: 1,319
From: McKinney TX
St. Jude Donor '21-'22-'23-'24
You've been reading some posts where someone was really pushing the C6 or else they were spending lots of time in slow traffic.
I've had 3 C6s and all 3 would run about 197-200 degrees when driving continuously anywhere from 30-45 mph. If I'd get it on up to about 60-70 mph, the temp. would drop slightly to about 196.
Only when I'm in really slow traffic, or sitting at a drive-thru does the temp get up to about 205-210. I've never seen temp. greater than 215.
I've had 3 C6s and all 3 would run about 197-200 degrees when driving continuously anywhere from 30-45 mph. If I'd get it on up to about 60-70 mph, the temp. would drop slightly to about 196.
Only when I'm in really slow traffic, or sitting at a drive-thru does the temp get up to about 205-210. I've never seen temp. greater than 215.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 148
Likes: 3
hey guys i have made a huge discovery for making the vettes run cooler... i have a 05 c6 6spd with a ati procharger with a 160 thermostat in the car. i was originally running anywhere around 195-205 depening how bad i was getting on it because that procharger makes alot of heat. that was too hot for me. i have the efi live program so i went in there and played with the fans and i have them so they turn 90% work load all the time and now no matter how hard i drive my car it will not go over 180. normal driving im around 174. huge difference. that 20 degrees cooler just by having the fans stay on. hopw this helps you guys, and also with the procharger i can feel the difference in power that the 20 degrees gives to as well, i was told by my dyno shop owner that its worth about 10 rwhp. good luck everyone.
Jon
Jon
Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 307
Likes: 1
From: Mine Hill New Jersey
Changing to a lower temp stat will not make the engine run cooler. It will only allow the coolant to start flowing through the engine at a cooler temperature. If you are stuck in traffic with no airflow through the radiator, the engine temp will climb regardless of thermostat. The only way to have the engine run cooler without modifying the entire cooling system is to have the fans turn on sooner.
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Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 27,420
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From: San Clemente CA
Changing to a lower temp stat will not make the engine run cooler. It will only allow the coolant to start flowing through the engine at a cooler temperature. If you are stuck in traffic with no airflow through the radiator, the engine temp will climb regardless of thermostat. The only way to have the engine run cooler without modifying the entire cooling system is to have the fans turn on sooner.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,753
Likes: 210
From: North Western Connecticut
Changing to a lower temp stat will not make the engine run cooler. It will only allow the coolant to start flowing through the engine at a cooler temperature. If you are stuck in traffic with no airflow through the radiator, the engine temp will climb regardless of thermostat. The only way to have the engine run cooler without modifying the entire cooling system is to have the fans turn on sooner.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 26,714
Likes: 344
From: Houston, TX
I think he may be confusing the temps with oil temps. I've had two C6's now - a Z51 and a F55. The coolant ran right at 190 in both cars, unless I was running it hard. The oil temps ran somewhere around 215 - 220 in both of them (about 5 degrees hotter in the non-Z51).
Pro
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 553
Likes: 0
From: The Woodlands TX
You thermostat and fan changing guys are killing me! If your engine doesn't get up to OEM spec operating temp, your oil won't burn off moisture and your rings will wear at an advanced rate.
Cooler is not always better.
Cooler is not always better.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 82,175
Likes: 1,319
From: McKinney TX
St. Jude Donor '21-'22-'23-'24
I think he may be confusing the temps with oil temps. I've had two C6's now - a Z51 and a F55. The coolant ran right at 190 in both cars, unless I was running it hard. The oil temps ran somewhere around 215 - 220 in both of them (about 5 degrees hotter in the non-Z51).
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,375
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From: Northern CA
OEM spec temperature is what it is for other reasons. If it were only for those reasons it could be lower.
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 75
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From: Twin Cities MN
Okay, let's hear from some of those tuners or moto-engineers out there who actually know some of these benefits.
I'm an engineer- electrical though. There are some specs that are just meant to be for reasons the average user (me) doesn't really need to know. I don't track my vette. I know cooler temps will give more rwhp, but what are the benefits of hotter temps?
I'm an engineer- electrical though. There are some specs that are just meant to be for reasons the average user (me) doesn't really need to know. I don't track my vette. I know cooler temps will give more rwhp, but what are the benefits of hotter temps?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Monroe Township New Jersey
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
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I'm getting ready to purchase an '08 Vette but I still have my S/C 97 Cobra Vert in the meantime. From the reading I've done on this forum and other places the Corvettes seem to run up around ~220 as a running temperature whilst all of the Mustangs I've had run around 195-200 as running temperature. Is there a reason for the increase in temperatures on the Vette?
)The Corvette is very sensitive to temperature. Once the intake air temperature reaches 86 degrees the VCM begins to pull timing. The guys who race usually install a cold air intake, 160 degree stat and set the fan to turn on sooner. This will reduce the IAT temperature and reduce the effects of heat soak.
There are many pros and cons regarding changing the operating temperature of a car. This subject as well as thow the cooling system functions has been beat to death many times ........ so you can use the search function for one of the many discussions (enjoy
).If you only use the car for very short trips and never get the oil up to operating temp you are beating the livin hell out of the engine ....... so there are many ways to beat a car
Last edited by Tommy D; Jun 25, 2007 at 01:53 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,670
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From: merritt island fl
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What is the reasoning to lead you to believe you won't burn off moisture and your rings will wear faster? Can you give a technical explanation?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,753
Likes: 210
From: North Western Connecticut
I seriously doubt I can get my oil temps under 210 because of a 160 stat. Perhaps that might hold true in cold climates in the winter but I don't drive my car then. When my water temp is at 185 the oil temps are well beyond anything required to burn off moisture. There however is a big sotp difference between water temps at 212 versus 185 degs. At 185 when I stomp it (tracton off) the tires light up in 1st or 2nd grear. At 212 it's not even close to putting down enough power to do that. Don't take the words of dozens of people that have installed 160 stats simply try it! It cost about 20 bucks and 1/2 hour of your time.... It's a very easy cost effective mod if somone is looking for more power under most conditions.......
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 26,714
Likes: 344
From: Houston, TX
Yes, we made assumptions. I made mine because Mustangs don't have an oil temp guage from the factory, and the numbers he showed would indicate to me that he meant coolant in the Mustang. That's why I wondered if he wasn't looking at the oil temp guage in the Corvette and confusing it.