LT5 Cooling and Radiators

[Dynomite]

Originally Posted by Billy Mild

Can a stock clean radiator provide enough cooling for the LT5? It seems that the aftermarket units really help it cool the way it should have from the factory.

That is the question.....I think NOT (the LT5 will run on the HOT side especially if you have AC ON) idling in traffic at 100 deg F ambient. With AC OFF you will run 5 to 10 deg F Cooler depending on your AC System. Once you get moving say 30 mph I think you can keep Coolant Temperatures in the 220 deg F range or a bit less.

That is my experience with several stock radiators but I can honestly say I have never had a correctly cleaned stock radiator to work with (only thought I did). You have to remove the radiator to clean it properly and also clean the AC Condenser and Oil Cooler with the Radiator Removed as Jim (QB93Z) Describes.

I think Jim (QB93Z) had some luck with a properly cleaned stock radiator on his AZ trip but Jim would have to describe that situation including the temperatures and if he was in traffic.

I have some thinking on Fans (GOLDCYLON has experience with fans) and Thermostats as well as chips to turn fans on at lower temperatures. As I recall the stock fans turn on at Temperatures in the 220 deg or higher range (maybe 228 deg F) which leads me to believe it was expected that the LT5 might run that HOT.

Originally Posted by dredgeguy

Last week in 92 degree heat got stuck in traffic and temp was pegged before I noticed it. Almost had a stroke......checked the digital gauge and it was 258! Turned off the A/C, turned on the heater and good luck was with me. Traffic opened up and I got to 70 MPH and it cooled down to 202 in a couple of minutes. Then I went home, cleaned my pants and ordered a the same radiator recommended by fellow Wazoo, SecondChance.

I had an experience a couple years ago when my impeller fell off the water pump shaft (water pump shaft spun freely). Who would have thought it
Got almost to cross hatched area and I shut it down. Took a while to figure that one out