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Engine Temperature hotter after header installation.

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Old Feb 12, 2009 | 06:10 PM
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Default Engine Temperature hotter after header installation.

After I have installed 1 3/4" headers with catted x-pipe my 2008 LS3 A6 is running a little hotter. Around 220 degrees. I do notice that when driving on the highway, the temp drops to about 210 which is where it was always at before headers. First question is, is this normal? Secondly, at what temperature should I start worrying? Please give me your input.

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Neil
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Old Feb 12, 2009 | 07:47 PM
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Originally Posted by ntrimm
After I have installed 1 3/4" headers with catted x-pipe my 2008 LS3 A6 is running a little hotter. Around 220 degrees. I do notice that when driving on the highway, the temp drops to about 210 which is where it was always at before headers. First question is, is this normal? Secondly, at what temperature should I start worrying? Please give me your input.

Thanks
Neil
Sounds a bit high. However you should really get the car tuned if you havent already once you install headers because the car could be dumping more fuel in because its getting whacky readings on the high flow cats making it run hotter. Also if the headers were not coated I would say it would run hotter also slightly but not cause it to over heat. Much higher than like 220 I would get it checked out. Double check the wiring on the O2's and make sure they are connected right and to the right sides too. No CEL?
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Old Feb 12, 2009 | 08:07 PM
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headers are coated and car is tuned. all sensors are in the correct positions.
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Old Feb 12, 2009 | 08:21 PM
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Mabe get a thermostat?
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Old Feb 12, 2009 | 08:22 PM
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Originally Posted by ntrimm
After I have installed 1 3/4" headers with catted x-pipe my 2008 LS3 A6 is running a little hotter. Around 220 degrees. I do notice that when driving on the highway, the temp drops to about 210 which is where it was always at before headers. First question is, is this normal? Secondly, at what temperature should I start worrying? Please give me your input.

Thanks
Neil
My stock 08 never ran 210 on the highway, maybe 198ish but not 210. In traffic I saw some 210-215 temps..I think the tuner made a mistake with the fan %. The AFR is not too lean, a touch fat even.
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Old Feb 13, 2009 | 08:27 AM
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When the PCM commands the engine to dump more fuel (thus running richer), the temp goes down. Not up. This is true for gasoline engine, diesel engine is the opposite.
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Old Feb 13, 2009 | 10:45 AM
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I would say tuning is a good idea because the headers reduced backpressure and made the car more efficient. This could have translated into higher Exhaust gas Temperatures. In any case I would go to a 160 degree thermostat and you will be back below 200 degrees.
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Old Feb 13, 2009 | 11:42 AM
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Originally Posted by ntrimm
headers are coated and car is tuned. all sensors are in the correct positions.
Did your tuner not suggest a 160 t-stat? Did he tune the fan settings?
One oddity I have seen in some stock LS3's is the fan does not seem to come on at all until above 210*.

I dont see anything out of normal, unless you are running those temps on the freeway at current 40-50* ambient in Mo. Then for sure you got a problem.
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Old Feb 13, 2009 | 02:17 PM
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Originally Posted by siffert
Did your tuner not suggest a 160 t-stat? Did he tune the fan settings?
One oddity I have seen in some stock LS3's is the fan does not seem to come on at all until above 210*.

I dont see anything out of normal, unless you are running those temps on the freeway at current 40-50* ambient in Mo. Then for sure you got a problem.
My tuner says the 160 t-stat will not do me any good. He did tune the fan settings for me. He said 226 is normal. He also said that the aluminum block engines like the heat and that GM doesnt consider the new corvettes to be running hot until they reach 256 degrees. I am going to take back to him to have him tune the fans to come on at 200 which he said will make my car hover around 210ish
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Old Feb 13, 2009 | 03:06 PM
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Did you notice any difference in power with just doing the headers?
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Old Feb 13, 2009 | 03:40 PM
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Originally Posted by ntrimm
My tuner says the 160 t-stat will not do me any good. He did tune the fan settings for me. He said 226 is normal. He also said that the aluminum block engines like the heat and that GM doesnt consider the new corvettes to be running hot until they reach 256 degrees. I am going to take back to him to have him tune the fans to come on at 200 which he said will make my car hover around 210ish
The stock fan setting is already supposed to come on at 199* at around 15% and 214* at 47% . Thus, I am curious to what he set them at. Sounds like he didnt do much. For example, you might set the fan to 90% at say 214 setting, 70% at 210 setting, 50% at 207 etc. I have a 160 myself and like many others, have fan set at 90% at 199*. In any event, good luck.
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Old Feb 13, 2009 | 03:53 PM
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Originally Posted by siffert
The stock fan setting is already supposed to come on at 199* at around 15% and 214* at 47% . Thus, I am curious to what he set them at. Sounds like he didnt do much. For example, you might set the fan to 90% at say 214 setting, 70% at 210 setting, 50% at 207 etc. I have a 160 myself and like many others, have fan set at 90% at 199*. In any event, good luck.
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Old Feb 13, 2009 | 06:08 PM
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Originally Posted by BIGB23
Did you notice any difference in power with just doing the headers?

I definitely could tell a difference in just doint the headers. But, after the tune and headers as well as the tranny tune, it is night and day.
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