Coolant Temp and Oil Pressure question

**johnnybz28** · 03-15-2010, 02:06 PM

Here is a pic of what my car idles at, is it normal? Should I install a 160 thermostat?

2002 Camaro Z28

Mods: PRC Stage 1 LS6 heads and 225/229 .580/.590 114+4 LSA Cam; LS2 timing chain

**cammed goat** · 03-15-2010, 02:11 PM

Looks normal to me. If you have a stock thermostat you should be at 180-190. Oil should be around 40 psi.

**johnnybz28** · 03-15-2010, 02:20 PM

Originally Posted by cammed goat

Looks normal to me. If you have a stock thermostat you should be at 180-190. Oil should be around 40 psi.

Thanks

I should be ordering a 160 within the next week. Don't like the temps that high at all lol

**cammed goat** · 03-15-2010, 02:23 PM

With the mods you have, I am surprised you don't run a 160.

**johnnybz28** · 03-15-2010, 02:27 PM

Originally Posted by cammed goat

With the mods you have, I am surprised you don't run a 160.

The mods were actually just finished last week

**Smittro** · 03-15-2010, 02:28 PM

My 3800-II used to run there too. I moved to a 5w30 motor oil from 10w30 (factory) and see consistanly lower temps.. say 180-190ish..
Your oil pressure looks normal..

**gnomee** · 03-15-2010, 04:45 PM

That looks normal to me also... Did you do a before and after dyno by chance?

**Hi-Po** · 03-15-2010, 04:54 PM

Perfectly normal. That temp gauge is horribly inaccurate. It basically reads, Cold/Warm/Hot.

**johnnybz28** · 03-15-2010, 05:01 PM

Originally Posted by gnomee

That looks normal to me also... Did you do a before and after dyno by chance?

I need to have my injectors installed before I dyno and get a new tune. Should hit a dyno within the next couple of weeks.

With just long tubes, ory, catback and a lid the car made 343rwhp 358rwtq (dyno jet numbers)

**mmciau** · 03-15-2010, 11:19 PM

Originally Posted by cammed goat

With the mods you have, I am surprised you don't run a 160.

It's not really efficient to run the engines too cool and in my view, 160 degree F is not too high - remember the system is pressurised so normal 212 Boiling Point is much higher under pressure.

Mike

**PFM** · 03-16-2010, 10:03 AM

Leave the 180 alone. Thats not the real temp. anyway you got a 2002.

**johnnybz28** · 03-16-2010, 07:37 PM

Originally Posted by PFM

Leave the 180 alone. Thats not the real temp. anyway you got a 2002.

not 100% sure what you mean lol

**35th-ANV-SS** · 03-16-2010, 08:21 PM

When you get your tune, you can have them also change when your fans come on to work better with your 160 thermo.

**twozs** · 03-17-2010, 05:30 AM

your idle speed is high i dont have the mods you have but my idle is about 600

**PFM** · 03-17-2010, 06:46 AM

Originally Posted by Hi-Po

Perfectly normal. That temp gauge is horribly inaccurate. It basically reads, Cold/Warm/Hot.

1998 is the only year that the readings are accurate. They have the 3 wire connectors like the 97-98 vettes. 2002s read basically cold/warm/hot and only have a 2 wire connector. So your getting worried over nothing.

**johnnybz28** · 03-17-2010, 07:17 AM

Originally Posted by PFM

1998 is the only year that the readings are accurate. They have the 3 wire connectors like the 97-98 vettes. 2002s read basically cold/warm/hot and only have a 2 wire connector. So your getting worried over nothing.

gotcha

**johnnybz28** · 03-17-2010, 07:19 AM

Originally Posted by twozs

your idle speed is high i dont have the mods you have but my idle is about 600

its still needs to get retuned because right now my stock injectors are working over time lol

**pajeff02** · 03-17-2010, 08:16 AM

+2 (or whatever) on the factory temp gauge being a POS. Our car is equipped with a 180 degree thermostat and has reprogrammed fan settings. On my scanner, the engine temp will range from 183 to 195 depending upon load and speed. In contrast, the factory temp gauge always reads right around 205.

**67CamaroRSSS** · 03-17-2010, 09:07 AM

Factory temp gauge (1999 and newer) = Off (pointing to the left); On and running (straight up and down); OH SHIT IT'S GONNA BLOW! (self explanatory)

Chevy did this in response to customer concerns over the temp needle moving back and forth in response to the thermal cycling of the coolant. Some fix, huh?