What temperature should car run at?

[John Smith]

Hi,

I am going to be adding a temperature gauge to my GT and was wondering what the normal operating temp range for my setup should be? The car has a KB blower running at 8psi, 160º thermostat and KB tune. With the stock gauge the temp needle comes up to just a little left of center on the gauge. It also seems as though the fan is running almost all the time after the car warms up (which is why I am getting a temp gauge)

Thanks,

 

[sgarlic]

Well, here's my theory. Just because you've got a 160* t-stat, doesn't mean you'll actually see coolant temps at 160. Remember, there are a gigantic number of things moving inside your engine, and to expect low temperatures like that simply isn't realistic. I'm sure you know this.

Anyway, continuing on, chances are what's happening is, your t-stat opens around 160, and lets the coolant in.. at this point, your radiator (with a regular t-stat) is going to hold some water for a bit, perhaps have the fan kick on for a bit to aid, then circulate back inside the engine. With a low t-stat that's fully open around 160, the water probably isn't getting the chance to sit in the radiator long enough(to allow the heat to dissapate) .. this probably is resulting in higher coolant temps, which explains why your fan seems to be running alot.. it's trying to cool that coolant inside the radiator, but the coolant is flowing so fast due to the t-stat being wide open, that it's not losing the heat it should.


I bet you'll see coolant temps up in the 190's anyway with your gauge.. but most of us who have regular t-stats are seeing around 195 or so at speed, and 200+ in traffic.

 

[blue46gt00]

I have a 160 thermostat also and my autometer temp. gauge runs at about 180 degrees.

 

[DTNODYA]

Well, here's my theory. Just because you've got a 160* t-stat, doesn't mean you'll actually see coolant temps at 160. Remember, there are a gigantic number of things moving inside your engine, and to expect low temperatures like that simply isn't realistic. I'm sure you know this.

Anyway, continuing on, chances are what's happening is, your t-stat opens around 160, and lets the coolant in.. at this point, your radiator (with a regular t-stat) is going to hold some water for a bit, perhaps have the fan kick on for a bit to aid, then circulate back inside the engine. With a low t-stat that's fully open around 160, the water probably isn't getting the chance to sit in the radiator long enough(to allow the heat to dissapate) .. this probably is resulting in higher coolant temps, which explains why your fan seems to be running alot.. it's trying to cool that coolant inside the radiator, but the coolant is flowing so fast due to the t-stat being wide open, that it's not losing the heat it should.


I bet you'll see coolant temps up in the 190's anyway with your gauge.. but most of us who have regular t-stats are seeing around 195 or so at speed, and 200+ in traffic.

Makes sense to me. Very infomative

My autometer gauge reads 180-200 with a 180 degree thermostat.

 

[Stang|ess]

no cooling mods done, I run about 190* at speed, and 212ish in traffic.

do the digi temp gauge, and get a more accurate number.