My 89 ASC GTA came without a thermostat, so I installed a 180 before. It runs at about 165 on the highway.. Is the computer working properly in closed loop and not in "startup mode" at this temperature??

What temp do your cars run at on the highway?

 

So much mis-information, so little time. How do you know that your engine is running when fully warmed up at 165 degrees with a 180-degree thermostat (which is impossible BTW)? Your gauge isn't gonna give you accurate info since it's only labeled at 100 and 260 degrees. Did you get the coolant temp from the computer? The computer can go into closed loop at 100-122 degrees (depending on which model/bin you have).

Mine runs at 165-170 degrees on the highway with a 160-degree 'stat and Griffin radidator, unless it's over 95 degrees outside and I have the A/C cranked.

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Greg Westphal
'87 IROC 355TPI/A4

 

The scanner shows that it's a little over 100 degrees. As for the gauge, it's smack inbetween 100 and 220, so 165 is the closest guess I can come up with. The car is an '89 L98 GTA, 100% stock. It came with no thermostat at all and I got no heat on the highway. Now that it has the 180 I get some heat, it's not blistering hot, but it's good enough. Should my car be operating properly with a 180 thermostat?

 

You know I love when people with scanners think they are *** because they can read from the computer.
Dude ease up, all he wanted to know was if it was normal. Dont trash someone from using the guage on the dash. For you information on my TTA there is another Teperatur sopt in the middle. Cant thin of what it is right now, but its there and anyone with half a brain can make a good estimate. Which ios good enough.
So let me ask you Mr. Scanner does my car running at 212*F sound right to you?

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89 Trans Am Turbo 3.8L All stock 43,000 miles #1053 of 1555

Past Thirdgen:
86 Trans Am w/ built 355TPI with SLP goodies and too much other stuff to List. One sweet *** car, wish I would have had a good enough Job to pay insurance on three cars so I could keep it, but for a 89 Turbo Trans Am w/ Low miles, I think I made the right choice!

 

SteveR: It's good that you put a thermostat in, and the 180-degree 'stat is a good choice. In between 100 and 220 is about 175-180 since the gauge scale isn't linear, but yes it should be operating normal in that temperature range. I've never had a problem with running a 160-degree 'stat, although it barely puts out enough heat when it's below 20 degrees outside.

KyleF, calm down, I wasn't reaming this guy out for reading the gauge wrong, just saying that somebody (or some people) have mis-informed him that the computer won't go into closed loop with a colder-than-stock 'stat. I pointed out above that the gauge isn't accurate since its travel isn't linear. Mr. Scanner says running at 212 degrees is OK, but you'll be closer to the possibility of getting some detonation if your spark advance is on the edge.

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Greg Westphal
'87 IROC 355TPI/A4

 

My GTA has a 160 degree stat, complete AC removal, 4 core aluminum radiator, one single 16" electric fan, and redline water wetter in it... On a normal florida day (80-90 degrees) it stays right around 185-190 in stop and go rush hour traffic with me driving a little crazy... If I drive like an adult, it will be right below 180. When it was 100 degrees here a few weeks ago, I was racing a new z28.. hah, that was fun... but, anyways.. it got up to about 215 or so.. (racing thru rush hour traffic.. a lot of time spent sitting at a traffic light.)
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Decently worked 87 GTA; still slow running 13.46 @ 114.3mph
huh, what the f*ck is traction?!




[This message has been edited by Ben87GTA (edited October 04, 2001).]

 

Not with the wonders of an Intercooler. Besides that what tep it suposed to run close to.