I'm sure this has been covered many times, but i could not find it mentioned in the stickies....can anyone tell me a bit about issues with using a lower temp sensor, is there any particular "type" to buy, should it keep my engine a little cooler? what temp will my cars fan usually come on and what is a good temperature range for a lower temp sensor?...any information is appreciated

 

A coolant temp sensor (the CTS) is a coolant temp sensor. There really is no way to "lower" what it reads, per se.

A fan switch however is something that can be lowered, as far as a temperature is concerned. That kicks the fans on and off at a lower temperature so air flow is forced across the radiator sooner, for better cooling.

A lower thermostat is another way to increase the cooling capabilities.

 

thanks...could you give me some more information regarding how to turn on the fan sooner (maybe at 180 or 200 degrees instead of 220)....is it a matter of replacing the fan sensor?...if so, what options are there? what issues are involved with it

 

It's a fan switch. Aftermarket ones are made by various companies, Jet, Hypertech, etc. They are simply programmed to turn on and off at lower temperatures.

I have mine activated by my temp gauge, so I do not use a fan switch personally. Try running a search for "fan switch." I know it's been talked about before numerous times.

 

I'm still not sure i understand...I'm looking for a sensor that will activate my fan at a lower speed that normal. I was under the impression that this was very common, but maybe I'm wrong...any informaiton about this?

 

What your looking for is called a fan switch. It is a sensor located on the passenger side head. The stock on turns the fans on at something like 230*. GM set it this high so the car would run hotter and burn more hydrocarbons and oxides of nitrogen. Basically it's an emissions thing.

After market switches are sold in varying temp. You probably want some thing that turns on at 200* and off at 180*. That is the one I will be putting on my car. I bought it from our new board sponser, TPI Parts.

Attached is a picture.

 

I think your confusion comes from the name. It is called a switch but is actually both a switch and a sensor. It senses a certain temp and switches on your fan.

Hope that helped.

 

Here is the setup your looking for...

180 thermostat with 210-195 fan switch.

Thermostat tries to maintain 180-190 engine temps. Fan kicks on at 210 (before things get too hot) and kicks off at 195. (slightly above running temp)

Perfect balanced setup for stock or slightly modified engine.

 

This is where I always get confused. If my car sees 210 I get nervous, I want the fan on around 195-200 at the highest. Especially with a 180 thermostat.

 

One thing I found is the factory location for the high temp switch in the rear of the passenger side head runs some higher than the thermostat temp. I bought three switches and finally wound up using an adjustable switch with a probe next to the radiator tank/core. Got the temp right where I wanted it this way.

Good info here:

https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/sho...ghlight=switch

 

Try this part heretemp switch

Wire it to your already existing relay. The switch will activate the relay and kick your fans on earlier. This will work perfect with a 180* t-stat.

 

I put the low temp switch from Madvet in my 88 in the pass. side rear head. With a 180 deg. thermostat the fans came on before the thermostat even opened, fans ran constant then. This switch would probably be fine with a 160 thermo. or if located somewhere else on the engine, but in my case it wasn't what I needed. "Your experience may vary" as they say on TV.