Ok, this may be a little long. Ok, to start with i have a pretty much stock L98, with a 180* therm. when im on the highway or high speeds, it basicaly runs exactly at 180*. but when i stop at lights or slow speeds, it can get up to 220, now i know this is normal, but the second i turn on the A\C, it will slowly climb way up towards 240 then i cut it off. But say im at a stop light, temp 220* and then i cut a\c on, and i start going on highway, it will take say 15 min or longer for the temp to go down to 180, but if i have the same situation withouth A\C, it takes like 5-10 min to get down to 180*, so do yall guys think that maybe my stock fans aren't pulling enough air through? why does it only overheat when A\C is on? And wut is the CFM on the Stock fans? Should i get higher flowing ones? or should i get a higher flowing thermostat? THe one i have is a regular autozone one, but they also have a hi performance one that they claim flows more water. OR could my water pump be going out?

------------------
88' GTA 350 MODS---> air foil, K&N, Shift Kit, 180* therm, TB bypass

 

I recently had to pull the rad on my #2 IROC(to drill out the alt. pivot bolt). Once I removed the rad support cover(4 bolts + 2 for the top of the fans) I was amazed at how much crud was clinging to the front of the rad. I haven't put many miles on this car and luckily none in really warm weather. I'd recommend as a first step, making sure the front of the rad is clean(once the rad support is off you can clean the rad with a garden hose). Then make sure not too many of the fins are bent(it's almost inevitable that some will be). Finally, make sure the fans have enough spacing, so that they are not rubbing on the back of the rad(I've seen this problem on several thirdgens). If they are rubbing the rad, they will damage the fins. Insert a washer under the retaining bolts to get about 1/8" clearance(each fan has one bolt on top, and two on the bottom).

On my #1 IROC, I have run it in 100° F weather with the a/c on(natch), and even in traffic the temp stayed steady at around 220 - 230°.

[This message has been edited by 88IROCs (edited July 26, 2001).]