Keeping the LT1 cool
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 33
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From: Virginia Beach VA
Keeping the LT1 cool
After a March track experience (cool ambient temps at VIR) while in Track mode, I encountered a near 300 degree water temp. Switched to Sport mode and all was well thereafter. But to prevent further near 300s I R&R’d the stock radiator with the Dewitt’s. 2 gallons was removed and 2 1/2 gallons were added. Also added some VP racing fuels “Cool Down” additive to the mix. Very much a plug & play R&R, no surprises.
What not not to do:
I would not lower the cooling system thermostat, this can create excessive wear and thermal cycling to the 2 front cylinders.
And in a few cases, I have seen these 165 degree thermostats turn on the check engine light.
What not not to do:
I would not lower the cooling system thermostat, this can create excessive wear and thermal cycling to the 2 front cylinders.
And in a few cases, I have seen these 165 degree thermostats turn on the check engine light.
Last edited by mlr6pak; Jun 4, 2018 at 01:34 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 7,079
Likes: 1,922
From: DFW, Tejas!
Weird. I've never had a problem keeping my coolant temps low, especially when it's cool out. Adding the 2017 auxiliary radiator is probably a better and easier bet. My coolant is about 220 or so unless I'm really driving it hard and it's hot out. Coolant was never an issue (240) at spring mountain in z51 in 100 degree heat.
Also a 160 stat won't do anything because you're above 180 the whole time on the track anyway.
Also a 160 stat won't do anything because you're above 180 the whole time on the track anyway.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2015
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Highly doubt you got to 300 degrees on coolant. You must be looking at either oil or transmission temps. Sport mode won't do anything different other than show you a different gauge. Surprised you bought another radiator that quick without fixing the problem. Likely your thermostat got stuck or you are reading the wrong temps. Is your car a base, z51 or GS? Either way, any of the 3 stock cars should not overheat in cool temps, or anything less than VERY hot.
Last edited by BrunoTheMellow; Jun 4, 2018 at 09:38 AM.
Former Vendor
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 26,512
Likes: 351
From: ST. CHARLES IL
Could have been a possible air bubble in the line or your stock thermostat could have been stuck. That being said a radiator upgrade never hurts. Especially if the car is seeing track time. We have plenty of cooling upgrades for the C7
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 45
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From: West Palm Beach FL
Highly doubt you got to 300 degrees on coolant. You must be looking at either oil or transmission temps. Sport mode won't do anything different other than show you a different gauge. Surprised you bought another radiator that quick without fixing the problem. Likely your thermostat got stuck or you are reading the wrong temps. Is your car a base, z51 or GS? Either way, any of the 3 stock cars should not overheat in cool temps, or anything less than VERY hot.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,002
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From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
If I recall the tables correctly, the pressurized cooling system on the C7 (and most other modern cars) would not be enough to prevent boiling the coolant at 290' F ("near 300").
As others have suggested, I suspect that:
Wrong gauge was displayed
Gauge was inaccurate
Momentary glitch that corrected itself
But a larger radiator of good quality doesn't hurt.
I had two BeCool radiators in our C5, the first one leaked after two years and the second leaked after two months. I reinstalled the original stock radiator and lived happily ever after except no more track weekends.+
Best of luck to you, nice pictures!
As others have suggested, I suspect that:
Wrong gauge was displayed
Gauge was inaccurate
Momentary glitch that corrected itself
But a larger radiator of good quality doesn't hurt.
I had two BeCool radiators in our C5, the first one leaked after two years and the second leaked after two months. I reinstalled the original stock radiator and lived happily ever after except no more track weekends.+
Best of luck to you, nice pictures!
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 33
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From: Virginia Beach VA
I can certainly respect everyone’s doubt in my abilities to properly gauge the indications of the systems as I too do the same for others I don’t know their capabilities however giving you my short resume:
Auto Mechanic 30+ years
FAA Certified Airframe & Power plant MECH 30+
FAA Certfied Inspection Authorizations 10+
FAA Certfied Flight Engineer Heavy Cat 25 yrs
FAA Certified Airline Transport Cat Pilot
With the above mentioned, I’d say I had used both the hard water temp gauge to the right of the center message display plus switching between water; trans & oil press on the display itself. When I recognized the elevated temps I quickly went into Cool Down Laps and the water temp dropped quickly. Trans fluids and oil will not cool down as quickly. That’s why GM recommendations to continue to drive the Vette for cooling air thru the rear fascia coolers.
Did any any really notice the size difference between the radiators side by side? Either way keep your comments coming as I will post later results after my upcoming June SCDA event at VIR. I reach out to you for things I might be missing.
Thanks All!
T
Auto Mechanic 30+ years
FAA Certified Airframe & Power plant MECH 30+
FAA Certfied Inspection Authorizations 10+
FAA Certfied Flight Engineer Heavy Cat 25 yrs
FAA Certified Airline Transport Cat Pilot
With the above mentioned, I’d say I had used both the hard water temp gauge to the right of the center message display plus switching between water; trans & oil press on the display itself. When I recognized the elevated temps I quickly went into Cool Down Laps and the water temp dropped quickly. Trans fluids and oil will not cool down as quickly. That’s why GM recommendations to continue to drive the Vette for cooling air thru the rear fascia coolers.
Did any any really notice the size difference between the radiators side by side? Either way keep your comments coming as I will post later results after my upcoming June SCDA event at VIR. I reach out to you for things I might be missing.
Thanks All!
T
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: Virginia Beach VA
Weird. I've never had a problem keeping my coolant temps low, especially when it's cool out. Adding the 2017 auxiliary radiator is probably a better and easier bet. My coolant is about 220 or so unless I'm really driving it hard and it's hot out. Coolant was never an issue (240) at spring mountain in z51 in 100 degree heat.
Also a 160 stat won't do anything because you're above 180 the whole time on the track anyway.
Also a 160 stat won't do anything because you're above 180 the whole time on the track anyway.
I got that info from a recognized Corvette Pro Mechanic. The thought is not about while on the track, it’s about street driving. That thread was directly from him. I simply copied & pasted.
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Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2015
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No matter what your resume is, the car WILL probably not pass 260 degrees ECT without damaging itself. It will beep and holler at you at 255 degrees to idle. It's nearly impossible to miss those warnings. It will probably blow the overflow tank cap slightly after that. Go look at your gauges again. The physical coolant gauge doesn't even go past 260.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 7,079
Likes: 1,922
From: DFW, Tejas!
I can certainly respect everyone’s doubt in my abilities to properly gauge the indications of the systems as I too do the same for others I don’t know their capabilities however giving you my short resume:
Auto Mechanic 30+ years
FAA Certified Airframe & Power plant MECH 30+
FAA Certfied Inspection Authorizations 10+
FAA Certfied Flight Engineer Heavy Cat 25 yrs
FAA Certified Airline Transport Cat Pilot
With the above mentioned, I’d say I had used both the hard water temp gauge to the right of the center message display plus switching between water; trans & oil press on the display itself. When I recognized the elevated temps I quickly went into Cool Down Laps and the water temp dropped quickly. Trans fluids and oil will not cool down as quickly. That’s why GM recommendations to continue to drive the Vette for cooling air thru the rear fascia coolers.
Did any any really notice the size difference between the radiators side by side? Either way keep your comments coming as I will post later results after my upcoming June SCDA event at VIR. I reach out to you for things I might be missing.
Thanks All!
T
Auto Mechanic 30+ years
FAA Certified Airframe & Power plant MECH 30+
FAA Certfied Inspection Authorizations 10+
FAA Certfied Flight Engineer Heavy Cat 25 yrs
FAA Certified Airline Transport Cat Pilot
With the above mentioned, I’d say I had used both the hard water temp gauge to the right of the center message display plus switching between water; trans & oil press on the display itself. When I recognized the elevated temps I quickly went into Cool Down Laps and the water temp dropped quickly. Trans fluids and oil will not cool down as quickly. That’s why GM recommendations to continue to drive the Vette for cooling air thru the rear fascia coolers.
Did any any really notice the size difference between the radiators side by side? Either way keep your comments coming as I will post later results after my upcoming June SCDA event at VIR. I reach out to you for things I might be missing.
Thanks All!
T
I see you ninja deleted a picture of engine oil temps that you thought was coolant.
Cool resume. Everyone makes mistakes. I designed engines for race cars and accidentally mixed up my front and rear wheels once. It happens. Where you get in real trouble is when you think you're above making a mistake.
There is no way in hell you are overheating your coolant on the street. I'm not sure if I could get it above 230 if my literal goal was to blow a headgasket to claim a prize.
Last edited by village idiot; Jun 4, 2018 at 02:31 PM.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: Virginia Beach VA
I see you ninja deleted a picture of engine oil temps that you thought was coolant.
Cool resume. Everyone makes mistakes. I designed engines for race cars and accidentally mixed up my front and rear wheels once. It happens. Where you get in real trouble is when you think you're above making a mistake.
There is no way in hell you are overheating your coolant on the street. I'm not sure if I could get it above 230 if my literal goal was to blow a headgasket to claim a prize.
Cool resume. Everyone makes mistakes. I designed engines for race cars and accidentally mixed up my front and rear wheels once. It happens. Where you get in real trouble is when you think you're above making a mistake.
There is no way in hell you are overheating your coolant on the street. I'm not sure if I could get it above 230 if my literal goal was to blow a headgasket to claim a prize.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,726
Likes: 368
From: Montoursville Pa
and oil temps dropped quite a. bit, this also means coolant levels dropped too Win
Last edited by ErnieN85; Jun 4, 2018 at 05:07 PM.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 33
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From: Virginia Beach VA