Hello. I own a 02 z-28 with a Fully built A-4, and intake( soon to have headers, offroad Y and dump before axle). I have been trying to lower the engine temp for awhile. I've noticed that the engine temp was alittle under 210 when I bought it about a year ago. I went ahead and bought a hypertech 180 degree thermostat and housing combo. The engine temp still read the same. I got the fans to engage at 180degrees with the superchips programmer, again the engine temp stayed the same. I went ahead and took the factory housing and thermostat and gutted it. All was left was the housing and I ported it alittle to get rid of the spring base thing inside, I did a good job, was quite surprised. Anyways the temperature after that is still the same. I don't understand that. Is just computer controlled or what? Do i need to buy a aftermarket guage? Let me know. Thanks

 

1998s had the only "real" temp gauge. 1999+ is more of a graded idiot-light...

 

Yeah, I run a 160 with fan temps set pretty low - gauge still reads just under 210. It will go past 210 in an overheating condition, and seems fairly accurate while warming up - first mark on mine is about 140 if I remember correctly on a scanner. Gauge gets it's info from the PCM via the ECT sensor. I recommend putting a functional thermostat back in the car.

 

ya just get the 160* t-stat, and program the fans lower then what you already have. also a manual fan switch isnt a bad idea. the guage you have is a piece just like the rest of us, ur gunna have to get used to it haha. with the manual fan switch if you think your car is getn hotter in traffic or wherever else just flip it on for awhile.

 

I'd put the good 180 back in the car and not spend any more money for a new one - not sure which one you gutted, but according to my owners manual stock is also a 180, think it was stamped 86C on the inside. In hot weather once the thermostat opens the fans take over the cooling temp, right?

 

I kept the factory thermostat for safe keeping and installed the 180degree thermo. I didn't notice any changes in temp so for the hell of it, I took the 180 out and put it to the side, took the factory one and gutted that and smoothed out the insides and slapped that on. Temp still goes to factory position, no higher and the car seems to not run any differently. I figured it couldn't hurt anything and its so hot here in Florida that Id rather it run alittle cooler. Im prolly going to slap the 180 back in and not worry about it.

 

Don't remove the thermostat. It won't run right without it. In fact, you should be overheating right now because of it being removed.

I'd recomend getting a scanner that is able to display live information to see what temp reading the PCM is seeing. It's possible your temp sending unit is toast.

Re'

 

Like has already been said in 99 and up cars the gauge is an idiot light. I put a 160 in mine and is still reads 210. Hook it up to the laptop though and it rarely gets above 175-180 while the gauge stays a steady 210 after warm up.

 

The problem most of you are haveing is the shi*** stock gauge, if you have your fans tuned to turn on earlier and a 160 or 180 T-stat i am pretty sure it running cooler than what the stock gauge says. Just for that reason I put an autometer temp gauge in and as stated above it doesn't go much over 190 while driving or while sitting in traffice with my fan switch on.

 

this is normal for modern cars..... after warm up the gauge is fixed to a "normal" temperature by the PCM.....
The manufaturer says it's too confuse for the driver if the gauge jumps up and down in heavy traffic or hot weather....

But I want to see real readings...... so I hooked up a ScanGauge.

 

fyi...that water temp gauge is a dummy gauge...only works when engine is overheating..the only ones that ACTUALLY worked are the 98s...i guess if you want accurate readings..go for an actual water temperature gauge

 

This thread makes me glad I have a 98 :rofl:

 

My gauge temp is pretty accurate, i seafoamed the car got a griffin radiator and new fan switch and thermo, car has never been hotter than 165.

 

I'm seafoaming when I get the car running again. =(

 

Sorry to revive this old thread but I thought I was going crazy
I installed a 160 T stat in my 2000 Z this weekend and see absolutly no drop in temp on factory gauge. Now I know the gauge is crap so I feel better. I plan on programming fans and also thinkin about a high flow water pump. Anyone running a beefed up pump?

Also what is seafoaming??