I did a search on this subject and I found little on what to do to resolve it. Ever since I rebuild my Z, the new engine is exaclty like the stock engine, same compression, jsut forged internals. Afr heads, but basically the same. My car used to run about 180-190 all year around. NOW, my Z runs fine, but it only gets hot durring the summer when outside temps get up around 75-80 or more. Then, my Z gets hot during stop and go traffic. It overheated one time.

Now, I have just put a new water pump in. the radiator checked out fine, cap is good too. new 160 stat and the Fans work. WTF????

A few things I was considering, which will be the best of the 3 choices?

1 New hi performance radiator
2 Higher flowing water pump
3 install a huge pusher fan in front of the radiator

Of the three, most people have told me to go to the high vol water pump.

 

Did you put the fan shroud back on when you rebuilt?

 

yes I did put the fan schoud back on and a new water pump. I was told that an upgraded water pump would work wonders? I was thinking of a pusher fan in addition to the dual fans I have...???

 

Can you fit a pusher up front? Even if you could, I doubt it would
do all that much. It sounds as if something is not functioning
correctly, or your timing is off (?).

 

nope, timing was set at 6deg advanced, but i bumped it up to 10 with no change? I have heard that new engines can produce more heat hence, needing a better pump and or radiator?

 

this may sound stupid, but is it full of coolant? are your fans coming on when they are supposed to? and just how hot does it get?

 

Once it gets around 220, the temp will contine to climb and climb till it overheats. If i get going in traffic and get some air moving into the car, it cools down to 220. My car used to never do this, until the new engine. After speaking with a radiator shop, they suggested to purchase a hi performance water pump. They said they have seen this problem reslove with the additon of a high performance water pump. I"m gonna try that first and see what happens.

 

I suggest a 170* (or lower) stat and a corvette fan switch to start (Rodney Dickman has a good one for sale). Do a search on "fan switch" on this forum and see what you come up with.

My car actually stayed cooler in city traffic with the AC on because AC on = fan on. Some members of this forum have manual switches for the cooling fan. I really like this idea as well.

 

Did you go with a stock cam and how did you install it, straight up, advanced, retarded? You say the fans are coming on, but are they coming on at the right temps? Did you add headers or change the intake? You don't give us any info about your car, yr, engine, FI or carb, etc. AFR heads may have leaned out the fuel mixture.

 

Are you sure your guage is correct mine was of 40 deg. on my old RS

 

my cam is the LPE 213 cam installed straight up. It has 4 deg advance buit into the grind. Via my diacom software, the gauge is pretty accurate. I just put a 160 stat in and no change. I'll keep you posted on my results with the new water pump. From eveyone I have spoke to, they have all said the high performance water pump is my best bet. We will see