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how hot is too hot?

  • Thread starter Thread starter 40th GT
  • Start date Start date Jul 16, 2006

40th GT

New Member
Apr 7, 2004
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Lawrenceville, GA
Jul 16, 2006
#1
  • Jul 16, 2006
  • #1
I've read that fuel-injected and computer controlled engines do not need to run cool; they actually perform better with heat. But where is the overheating point for the engine oil, transmission, and the coolant?
 

hotmustang331

Active Member
Apr 29, 2004
2,967
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48
Bastrop,TX
Jul 16, 2006
#2
  • Jul 16, 2006
  • #2
The reason that is said is because many cars...like ours...need to reach a certain temperature before the EEC will allow the motor to run properly.

In our cars, coolant temps must reach 180*s to get full power...because SUPPOSEDLY the EEC pulls timing at any coolant temp below that. Vettes are the same way I belive.

I think its retarded, and im sure it can be eleminated with a tune.
 

BennyBlown2v

New Member
Dec 9, 2004
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Carmel, INdiana
Jul 16, 2006
#3
  • Jul 16, 2006
  • #3
hotmustang331 said:
The reason that is said is because many cars...like ours...need to reach a certain temperature before the EEC will allow the motor to run properly.

In our cars, coolant temps must reach 180*s to get full power...because SUPPOSEDLY the EEC pulls timing at any coolant temp below that. Vettes are the same way I belive.

I think its retarded, and im sure it can be eleminated with a tune.
Click to expand...

Isn't it so you don't blow your motor on cold starts and daily driving in the winter and such?
 

hotmustang331

Active Member
Apr 29, 2004
2,967
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48
Bastrop,TX
Jul 17, 2006
#4
  • Jul 17, 2006
  • #4
^ Well thats what the IAT is for...it senses how cold the air is and the compensates with more gas and more timing if its cold, and less gas and less timing when its hot.

But im no expert on it....maybe someone knows exactly why they need it to get to 180*s
 
R

RoadconeTuning

New Member
Apr 4, 2006
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Upstate, SC
Jul 17, 2006
#5
  • Jul 17, 2006
  • #5
emmisions...
 

jstreet0204

Active Member
Jun 26, 2003
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36
Winston Salem, NC
Jul 17, 2006
#6
  • Jul 17, 2006
  • #6
hotmustang331 said:
The reason that is said is because many cars...like ours...need to reach a certain temperature before the EEC will allow the motor to run properly.

In our cars, coolant temps must reach 180*s to get full power...because SUPPOSEDLY the EEC pulls timing at any coolant temp below that. Vettes are the same way I belive.

I think its retarded, and im sure it can be eleminated with a tune.
Click to expand...


The main reason is not that the EEC pulls timing, it is because there are different modes that the EEC runs in. One is called startup. In this mode, the eec uses a different fuel table which is richer. Once the eec reaches a defined tempature (stock is 180*) it switches over to the stabalized table fuel table. These settings can be tuned around, to make it change over earlier, but keep in mind, these motor have very close tollerances and are designed to run within a specific heat range, so you don't want it to run too cool.
 

eagleautosports

New Member
Jul 7, 2006
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Mebane NC
Jul 17, 2006
#7
  • Jul 17, 2006
  • #7
The tranny temp should be around 150 degrees too. Any hotter, damage starts coming in, especially with an automatic. Engines seem to work best around 180 and power goes away over 200. Coolant should be kept at a 50/50 mix because more coolant makes it harder to cool off. Antifreeze retains heat longer than water so more than 50/50 and it could run warmer than usual.
 

jeffnoel

Founding Member
Aug 31, 2002
1,638
5
37
Clovis, CA
Jul 17, 2006
#8
  • Jul 17, 2006
  • #8
My 02 GT was running at 230 in town when temps are 95+ (translates to all summer). I always wondered why until I got my Predator and looked at the factory fan setting which don't kick the hi-speed fan on until 228 degrees. I lowered all the fan on-off settings 10 degrees and she's running around 220 now. When my Fluidyne radiator and Tru-Cool trans cooler arrive later this week I'll be upgrading the whole cooling system with a complete flush, hoses, Jet 180 thermostat, and polished hi-vol water pump.
 

DBMSTNG

I fantasize about it being BIG!
Founding Member
Apr 23, 2002
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56
not quite here
Jul 17, 2006
#9
  • Jul 17, 2006
  • #9
40th GT said:
I've read that fuel-injected and computer controlled engines do not need to run cool; they actually perform better with heat. But where is the overheating point for the engine oil, transmission, and the coolant?
Click to expand...


Ford tunes cars for 200* F in most cases. once the car starts hitting 215+ coolant temp, i'd be concerned. meaning no racing.
 

40th GT

New Member
Apr 7, 2004
916
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0
Lawrenceville, GA
Jul 17, 2006
#10
  • Jul 17, 2006
  • #10
So its like this, optimal temp. for water is 180-200. For the trans. its, x<150 to 160.

Now what about the engine oil?
 
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