Thermostat change help these old l98s run hot!
 

Has anyone changed the thermostat on there l98 camaro. my car doesnt overheat or anything but it like will go up to 200 degrees and then the second fan kicks on and cools it down but i feel thi set up is bad for the engine i want it to run around 180 or 190 degrees.

Re: Thermostat change help these old l98s run hot!
 

if you run a cooler thermostat it wont help unless theres a chip that will kick the fans on cooler/sooner....the warm city temps is for emissions....i like cooler too.
im looking to see whos chip can control fans at 180*

Re: Thermostat change help these old l98s run hot!
 

I'm running a 180° thermostat and in the passenger side head I replaced the fan switch with the Buick Grand National (Standard Motor Products TS136) piece. It is plug-and-play and comes on 20-30° sooner.

Re: Thermostat change help these old l98s run hot!
 

nice...i played with mine yesterday and wired the relay triggers for both fans to come on at the same time (the hd cooling fan is designed to come on at 236* or with the ac)...if works well,and by using your gn sensor ill post up a how to.

Re: Thermostat change help these old l98s run hot!
 

I was concerned about the surge load of both fans starting up at the same time, every time. I had some fuse blowing issues. You should try just the temperature switch and a 180, it works fine for me. You can go to a 160 or 170 if you are south of the Mason-Dixon line.

Re: Thermostat change help these old l98s run hot!
 

the main fan should be computer controlled(or the only fan if its not a dual fan). no amount of fan switch or thermo stat will make it come on sooner. you just have to either get a chip thats tuned to have it come on sooner, or tune it yourself.

200* is a normal operating temp.

Re: Thermostat change help these old l98s run hot!
 

Bypass the sensor. Install toggle switch. Turn on coolant fans whenever you want. No hassles for me in over 2 years, the key is you gotta remember to shut it off when you get to your destination and not suck your battery dry..........:eek:

Re: Thermostat change help these old l98s run hot!
 

or if you forget to turn them on and over heat and warp a head.

Re: Thermostat change help these old l98s run hot!
 

Good point! I myself am to annul-retentive to have that happen in my car. That's what the temp gauge is for I guess. (my bypass is for the switch, not the temp gauge, there is 2) can't vouch for others......:cool:

Re: Thermostat change help these old l98s run hot!
 

Today I bought a universal temp fan controller from auto zone.installed a 180* Therm and wired both fans relay triggers together.my gta had a fuseable link at battery so no chance of blowing a fuse.both relay triggers can be found together in the small harness near havoc fan underhood. Now I set fans to came on at 190* and cut off soon after.works good.automatic and still come on with AC.car runs cooler now....

Re: Thermostat change help these old l98s run hot!
 

I run a 180* thermo, with an adjustable fan controller. Works great!

Re: Thermostat change help these old l98s run hot!
 

Most of the experts say a 170 stat is the best all around. The GM part number for a 170 stat is; 10220957 The ACD#131-84 GR.1.246 All of these numbers are on the box if it helps your parts guy. I have known some that were not that smart and couldn't order a fan belt. I always drill a small hole in the stat to help get rid of air in the system. A lot us who live in the south usually have our fans wired to switch to come on when we want like at a red light. The factory system is good except for the temp settings are too high. You can run a ground wire from green and white wire and also from the wires on the compresser and ground both fans (relays) and they will kick on. It's not hard just read on here and you will know what to look for.

Re: Thermostat change help these old l98s run hot!
 

drilling a hol;e isnt necceasry. the only thing you have to do to remove the air is run the engine with the rad cap open (or bleeder screw if the rad cap isnt the highest point in the cooling system) until the tstat opens. then fill the rad and close the cap and call it a day.

and theres been studies done that show an engine that doesnt reach a minimum operating temp of 180 has increased cylinder wear from oil washout.

Re: Thermostat change help these old l98s run hot!
 

Yes there are pros and cons for every temp. The factory higher temps clean emissions better but the engines don't last nearly as long. They make more power the cooler they are. Myron Cottrel, John Lingenfelter and others have articles stating that a 170 stat is the best all around for power,longevity and having a heater that works. Thats why we cool our cars between rounds at the drag strip and put ice bags on our intakes and cool cans for our fuel and intercoolers for turbos and superchargers. Down here in Arkansas the cooler the better since it gets Africa hot in the summer.

Re: Thermostat change help these old l98s run hot!
 

the ones i read said 180. its been a while since i read them though. and i agree a cold dense intake charge makes more power, but not necessarily a cold engine. you run into issues with oil being to viscous and not flowing or lubricating well with a cold engine.

Re: Thermostat change help these old l98s run hot!
 

Your right about that. Cold engine oil is not good at all. The nascar guys heat there oil and even run a little lighter oil when qualifying to get that little bit more out of there engines. The temp debate is certainly different depending on where you live as well. I live in Arkansas and we see 100 plus degrees on a regular basis and I am not talking a dry heat like Arizona or New Mexico. We have the market cornered on humidity as does the surrounding states. In Michigan I would probably use a 180 and something to block part of the radiator in the winter time to save some heat. In January and early February we usually see a few weeks in the teens and single digits but nothing like up north. Our cars are prone to run on the warm side or at least my three do. I want a GTA and there front end being completely closed up must be even worse than the camaros. But when I find a 88-90 all black gta I am going to have it. Go to TPIS website and read the article that Myron Cottrel has on there and you will see where I get some of my thinking. He is a smart guy and makes great products even if they are on the expensive side.

Re: Thermostat change help these old l98s run hot!