recently bought this 97 WS6, 5.7 , 6sp. if i drive it , having alittle fun, it tends to run hot, around 220-230 and thats with AC off.raditor has been flushed, fans work with a fused direct 12v. im wondering if a different bigger raditor, different thermostat,the manuel says 185-205. F. maybe 70% antifreeze, i have a friend with a 95 camero ,same motor and also has same prob. anybody have suggestions, thks

 

1) This is a 3rd gen board, your car is a 4th gen - so we might not have the best answers.

2) 1997 car has Optispark - unless you are 100% sure that the water pump has been changed in the last 3 years, change it now. When they go bad, they leak coolant onto the Optispark unit, and shorts it out. New Optispark about $600

3) More antifreeze means LESS cooling - always use a 50/50 mix - the purpose of antifreeze is to keep the system from freezing, to lubricate the system, and to stop corrosion - NOT to cool.

4) If getting hot at an idle/in traffic, might try new thermostat or new fan switch. If getting hot on highway, make sure the air dam under the radiator is in tact and not messed up.

5) My LT1 car always runs about 200 - 230, I consider it normal. Remember, a car is NOT overheating until the point at where the coolant is physically boiling over - anything before that point is "normal" anymore these days. Manufacturers make cars run hotter as it helps with emmissions.