Engine Temp

[Foot Performance]

my engien is only running at about 120 at most 140 and i dont think that the motor is running very efficient at these temps i dont know if some before me would have put a way lower thermo in it or if it is just broke open but what is a good temp range i have herd 160 and 180 but i am not for sure what do you think ( checked with stock guage and raytek thermo)

thanks guys

 

[gjp]

Re: Engine Temp

Dont go by stock guage. I go by what the DM (scan tool) says. Mine runs about 165* with a 160* stat installed.

 

[Foot Performance]

Re: Engine Temp

i will check it with the tech 1 tommarrow i did not think of that but i drove into town about 20 miles and i have a raytech digital thermomiter and it sayed about 124 at the intake and no more than 140 at the hottest spot on the block and head ( it is one with the red dot and you point and click on of those but i have used it a lot and i think it is pritty accurate) but i am going to put a chip on it. so you think that 160 is what i should run?

thanks for the help

 

[Black Knight]

Re: Engine Temp

Yeah mine says the same like 120* ish, but a scan tool says 160* right where it should be. If your really running at 120*-140* then you probably don't even have a thermostat in there, in which case I would highly recommend getting atleast a 160* or a 180*. That will definitely effect performance, IIRC our fueling doesn't go into closed loop until like 145* or something.

 

[Foot Performance]

Re: Engine Temp

that is what i was thinking i thought that maybe the thermo stat might have been broken open and i was going to put one in it i just did not know which one to use a 1 60 or 180 i am puttin an ultimate chip in in soon.

thanks for the input

 

[Black Knight]

Re: Engine Temp

I've always run a 160* along with a lot of others, no problem there but I believe you get better fuel milage with the 180* . So if that matters to you or not.

 

[Flyin Ryan]

Re: Engine Temp

I went with the 180 because I drive my truck alot late at night when it's colder out so I enjoy having some sort of heat

 

[Foot Performance]

Re: Engine Temp

i just did not know if i ran a 180 if i would have more trouble with spark knock at full boost or if the ultimate chip would correct for that i like the idea of a 180 becuase of the more effiecent cumbustion but if a 160 is safe for the engine that is what i will run. i like the fuel mileage but i would rather the engine last, you know

thanks

 

[Flyin Ryan]

Re: Engine Temp

welp, I think either would be fine but like I said mine see's daily driving about 4 days a work week and every other weekend in the early mornings street racing without any problems.. My temps never go over 186.. if your worried about spark retarding due to engine knock then i'd worry about cooling your inlet temps

 

[Foot Performance]

Re: Engine Temp

yeah thats a good idea i think the chip will turn it on a 120 but i was still thinking about wiring it in to run with key on. but i really like the 180 idea

thanks

 

[FxsX24]

Re: Engine Temp

stock na 4.3s run 195* thermo stats, dont the turbos run 195 too, or do they run cooler?

 

[Black Knight]

Re: Engine Temp

stock na 4.3s run 195* thermo stats, dont the turbos run 195 too, or do they run cooler?

Yes, mine came with a 195*, I changed it out with a 160* to help it run cooler, makes a big difference since the turbo gets so hot.

 

[SY2455]

Re: Engine Temp

Stock is 195*, like everyone has said. But if it gets hot in Oklahoma I would run a 160* thermostat with the ultimate chip and if I recall correctly when you install the ultimate chip you are suppose to run a 160*. I have a 160* in mine and it run really nice even in the summer months when it get to a mild temp of 120* in the shade. I also installed a fan from a 2001 GMC Safari.