C8 Engine Cooling
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 102
Likes: 10
From: Cave Creek Arizona
C8 Engine Cooling
I'm probably within 2 to 3 weeks of making a decision on which way to go., The only article that I could find said GM tested the C8 in a area where the average summer high was 105F with the Z51 package (3 radiators).
I really wanted to hold off on the Z51 package but that brings me down to the 2 standard radiators. We live in the desert southwest where temps can reach 117F/120F at times. Common sense tells me 3 radiators are
better than 2 but not wanting the Z51 pkg I thought I would reach out and see if the forum had any addtnl info that might make my decision easier. TIA.
I really wanted to hold off on the Z51 package but that brings me down to the 2 standard radiators. We live in the desert southwest where temps can reach 117F/120F at times. Common sense tells me 3 radiators are
better than 2 but not wanting the Z51 pkg I thought I would reach out and see if the forum had any addtnl info that might make my decision easier. TIA.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,026
Likes: 9,777
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Driving on the street you won't have any issues with the cooling system of the non Z51 car. Street heat loads are minor compared to track heat loads which is what the Z51 package is designed for. If you plan on taking the car to the track then purchase the Z51 option since it provides more than just improved cooling capacity. The non Z51 car isn't recommended for track events.
Bill
Bill
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 10,230
Likes: 885
From: Alexandria, Virginia, USA VA
go with the right setup if you intend to run the vette like you should, the extra cooling is there for a reason and the gm engineers offer a solution that you should jump on rather than wonder about it
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2012
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From: Thomas Texas
Racer
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 264
Likes: 85
From: Florida
I live in Florida so 100+ degrees is a regular. That mixed with bumper to bumper traffic is a killer. My motorcycle has overheated a few times under these conditions so I wasn't taking any chances. Went with the Z51
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,537
Likes: 1,402
From: Bethesda MD
^^^ Bumper to bumper traffic cooling is more a function of the fans moving enough air through the radiators. The thermal load is low, but the coolant flow through the radiator is often low with mechanical water pumps and there's not enough air flow to remove the heat.
The Z51 cooling was designed to withstand high thermal loads at WOT when there is sufficient air flow, but the ambient temps are high. Stock non-Z51 cooling should be adequate for occasional WOT bursts even in high temps. If the OP drives in the middle of nowhere where he could be on the throttle hard for extended times in 110* temps, I'd consider the Z51's extra cooling as a relevant purchase consideration
The Z51 cooling was designed to withstand high thermal loads at WOT when there is sufficient air flow, but the ambient temps are high. Stock non-Z51 cooling should be adequate for occasional WOT bursts even in high temps. If the OP drives in the middle of nowhere where he could be on the throttle hard for extended times in 110* temps, I'd consider the Z51's extra cooling as a relevant purchase consideration
Last edited by Ragtop 99; Nov 18, 2020 at 04:21 PM.