With the summer months approaching, I would like to know the best way to keep my car from crossing that damn 220-degree mark even in standstill traffic. i have already added a 180-degree thermo, which helps, but only seems to sometimes. Today, it was 77 degrees out, and the car was at 220 or above even on highway. My question is, next to a thermo, what else can be done? Can i install a fan switch on a different circut so i ultimately decide when it goes on? Or, should i get the computer recalibrated to have it automatically turn on sooner...like around 190 degrees or something? what is the best, and least expensive way to alliviate this problem?

------------------
1986 WS6-Equipped 5.0 TPI Trans Am
Random Tech High-Flow Cat
Two Chamber Flowmaster Muffler
Megs Custom 4.5" Stainless Steel Tips
1999 Grand Am GT In-Dash CD Player w/Equalizer(fits like '86 original)
5% Tint On Rear, 35% On Sides

OTHER RIDE:
1998 C5 6Spd. Corvette
Silver w/Gray Leather Int.
12/14 Options
Stock(for now)
Best 1/4th: 13.5 @ 104.4MPH

 

First , at the risk of being rude, check this article since I would tell you to check this stuff out anyway.

https://www.thirdgen.org/newdesign/t...rheating.shtml

Now the PROPER way would be to recalibrate your chip to have the fans turn on at 190* and 200*. But you would need a programmer, software, eraser and eproms. If you want to get into programming you own chips it would be a great investment, about $300. If I had gotten mine I would say take a trip down to me and I would progam it for you but I had to spend the money for new windsheilds on two different cars! Lucky it wasn't mirrors!

Else the quick and easy way out is to wire the fans to a switch and turn it on manually but that can be just as dangerous if you foget to turn them on!
The last option I know is to get a variable temperature module by Hayden, found at PEP Boys. This will turn on the fans from 160* to 240* you set the temp you want. A couple of things if you use this module.
1) Solder all wirers, and buy another mating connector to the fans and use this for the Hayden modules wires. This way if you want to go back to the original configuration you diisconnect it and plug in the orignal connector.

The best is the reprogramming of the chip, hands down but your buget will determine the best mod is for you.
Last if you want to mod the fans to come on by a MANUAL SWITCH checkout the "Electronics Board". You can do a search on switch for fan or something. Also this thread below was a good one for moddingthe fans for manual turn on switch. Two different ways and Tim Burgess the Moderator of the board, is real knowledgable.
Good Luck!

 

...or just get another fan switch that replaces the one in there for about $45 - a couple of different ones available. I have the 200/185 and it works great, running a stock 195* stat...

KAM

 

Hey, thanks to the both of you for responding. Sorry i didnt do a serach first...i am still kinda new to this board and havent taken the time to manuver myself around on my own yet...i spend most of the time reading posts! Before March, when i registered here, i didnt even know this board existed....there is soo much damn information on this board....i'm in heaven here Thanks again.

------------------
1986 WS6-Equipped 5.0 TPI Trans Am
Random Tech High-Flow Cat
Two Chamber Flowmaster Muffler
Megs Custom 4.5" Stainless Steel Tips
1999 Grand Am GT In-Dash CD Player w/Equalizer(fits like '86 original)
5% Tint On Rear, 35% On Sides

OTHER RIDE:
1998 C5 6Spd. Corvette
Silver w/Gray Leather Int.
12/14 Options
Stock(for now)
Best 1/4th: 13.5 @ 104.4MPH

 

SKI89

I would have made the trip if you could have recalibrated my PROM....that would have been awesome. I appreciate the suggestion though. Thanks again.



------------------
1986 WS6-Equipped 5.0 TPI Trans Am
Random Tech High-Flow Cat
Two Chamber Flowmaster Muffler
Megs Custom 4.5" Stainless Steel Tips
1999 Grand Am GT In-Dash CD Player w/Equalizer(fits like '86 original)
5% Tint On Rear, 35% On Sides

OTHER RIDE:
1998 C5 6Spd. Corvette
Silver w/Gray Leather Int.
12/14 Options
Stock(for now)
Best 1/4th: 13.5 @ 104.4MPH

 

I just wanted to also mention that its not overheating persay....just that i HATE it when the car goes above 220 and the fan kicks in THEN. I know this is normal operating temp, but i hate it...in my opnion, thats too hot...i loose power then, and it just outright sucks. In standstill traffic, i feel that car should not be going over 190 degrees.

------------------
1986 WS6-Equipped 5.0 TPI Trans Am
Random Tech High-Flow Cat
Two Chamber Flowmaster Muffler
Megs Custom 4.5" Stainless Steel Tips
1999 Grand Am GT In-Dash CD Player w/Equalizer(fits like '86 original)
5% Tint On Rear, 35% On Sides

OTHER RIDE:
1998 C5 6Spd. Corvette
Silver w/Gray Leather Int.
12/14 Options
Stock(for now)
Best 1/4th: 13.5 @ 104.4MPH

 

I just replaced my Thermostat from 160 to 180 yesterday. It ran cooler at highway speeds but at stand still mine would go over 220 before the fans came on. After my engine would reach 220 degrees my engine would start making a chattering sound so I just ordered a JET fan switch from Summit, turns the fans on at 200 and off at 185. Right now you can buy a fan switch from Summit and get 10% off your order! The costs was $38.95 for fan switch and $6.95 shipping, discount $3.?? total price was like $42.00.

Link to Summit Discount Info:
https://www.thirdgen.org/messgboard/...ML/000155.html
Link to Summit Fan Switches:
http://store.summitracing.com/defaul...rtment.asp?d=5

------------------
'87 Trans Am:
(Engine)
305 TPI
160 Degree Thermostat
TB Bypass
Accel 300+ 8.8 Racing Wires
Accel Super Coil
Bosch Platinium Plugs
Custom Ram Air with K&N
Removed Emissions Equipment & Cat.
(Stereo)
Kenwood Excelon

 

Oh the discount only lasts till the 20th!

------------------
'87 Trans Am:
(Engine)
305 TPI
160 Degree Thermostat
TB Bypass
Accel 300+ 8.8 Racing Wires
Accel Super Coil
Bosch Platinium Plugs
Custom Ram Air with K&N
Removed Emissions Equipment & Cat.
(Stereo)
Kenwood Excelon