Normal operating temp?

[LEOMAC23]

Hey i know i could prob find this if i look around but whats the normal operating temp for a 3.8, my gauge goes to about the 1/4 mark is this consistant??

[ssms5411]

Re: Normal operating temp?

Mine since in AZ, in summer time 210-220(half mark) and in winter 180(1/4 mark), this is with 160 drilled thermo and fans retuned with Hptuners.

[RadRacer]

Re: Normal operating temp?

I believe normal max is 210 for our cars (1/2 mark); most tune them and swap thermostats to get 180 or so. I had my fans reprogrammed and thermo replaced so that it almost never goes over 185 (1/4 mark).

[96firebird311]

Re: Normal operating temp?

Depending on the year, the f-bodies came stock with a 195F degree thermostat. (Up to 98?) After that, they switched to 180's. Regardless clear up to 215-220 wouldn't worry me in the least.

[ssms5411]

Re: Normal operating temp?

Depending on the year, the f-bodies came stock with a 195F degree thermostat. (Up to 98?) After that, they switched to 180's. Regardless clear up to 215-220 wouldn't worry me in the least.

I tried telling that over on another forum that they switched to 180 after 98 and up and they wouldn't listen even posted part #'s for the years. They were saying the thermos were all 195 and one guy said he even tested one and it opend like at 193.LOL But I don't think I'm like over there , oh well.

[96firebird311]

Re: Normal operating temp?

Direct them here:
http://engine.firebirdv6.com/

[97rs4life]

Re: Normal operating temp?

Direct them here:
http://engine.firebirdv6.com/

your quoting something that has ancient material and not all accurate.

195* is stock.

[ssms5411]

Re: Normal operating temp?

When I looked at the 93-02 Caamro/Firbird parts manual they had the part #'s for the 98-02 for a 180 thermo.

[97rs4life]

Re: Normal operating temp?

so far it looks like only 2001 came with 180* thermos from the research I have done. I know the 99 firebird of my brothers had a 195 in it though. Alldata shows 2000 cars to have 195 as well. I am going to check another route here in a few.

Majority are going to have 195 though

[97rs4life]

Re: Normal operating temp?

here is a snap pic (below) of my parts catalog that I use at my shop. As you can see, I entered a 2001 camaro 3.8l and it shows the 180* as an alternate. Alldata talks about 2001s opening at 180* but that is the only year is says that. The others are 195*

[vr4gasm]

Re: Normal operating temp?

i have an 01 and it came with a 195

[ssms5411]

Re: Normal operating temp?

Part manual shows a 93-97 #24506986 AC Delco # 131-115 and for 98-02 #24505924 AC Delco # 131-120, so they are diferent part #s. Which would mean they would be different thermos most likely. I have to get my Dads GMworld account # and look them up. It may just be they changed part #'s , I'll look on GM's website and see what I find out.

[LEOMAC23]

Re: Normal operating temp?

well i have a 195 in there and my gauge never goes above the 1/4 mark ,its actually always a hair below it,its a 97, is this normal??

[97rs4life]

Re: Normal operating temp?

well i have a 195 in there and my gauge never goes above the 1/4 mark ,its actually always a hair below it,its a 97, is this normal??

how about sitting in a traffic jam or sitting idle for some time?

[LEOMAC23]

Re: Normal operating temp?

Well iv never seen a traffic jam where im from,lol,but sitting idle it goes to about half.While driving ,warm or cold,it stays at 1/4.Which on my gauge is 87.5c or 190f.