I know I've been asking a bunch of simple questions lately, but I can't seem to find anything of help by searching. I just put in a Hypertech 160 t-stat, and of course the stock temp guage didn't really register this change (maybe registering a hair cooler than before). Could I just get a sending unit for a 98 LS1 to make the temp guage work as it should and not be a dummy guage or is it just not that simple? I hate having a dummy guage, especially since I'll be ordering a tune soon.

Jason

 

The t-stat doesnt do you much good without reprogramming the fans. And, there's no way to change the way the stock gauge reads, its fed by the PCM. I installed an autometer sending unit in the block, and put in an electric water temp gauge. It's very accurate, and its sometimes scary how much the factory gauge is off!

 

Well I'm about to order a tune from madz28, but the car will still run cooler unless stuck in traffic for a long time, then it'll jump to 220 until the fans come on.

I did read that the newer sending units send readings to the PCM which then send that signal to the guage, basically nothing unless the car is overheating or warming up. Do you think that someone like madz28 (www.madz28.com) could program the pcm to send exact readings to the factory guage? I want to avoid cluttering the car up with additional guages at least for now until I eventually do engine work.

Jason

 

"The t-stat doesnt do you much good without reprogramming the fans"


i see the benefits of my stat every day i drive...fans only come into play if the radiator doesn't have sufficient flow over it, ie...traffic or staging lanes. people really need to stop spreading this inaccurate info.

as for the rest of the info...it's tied to the ECM as he stated, so i think the only way is to use a second guage. seems like summit sells a small digital temp guage that can be concealed.