Radiator to small ??? Fan does not switch off

[ACII]

Hy all,

after some testrides ...the LS1 is doing a great Job :-)

So far i got all Problems done....no more smoke out of the exhaust / no burned smell anymore / right fluid Level !!! ;-)

Finally i am just not happy with my Radiator / fan Setup.

My Setup =

I rebuild the original Radiator of the 51 pickup. The Radiator block is new (its not Aluminium).
The size of the Radiator is around 50 x 42 x 5

Also i have installed a separate steam line..as u can see on the pics

Actually a lot bigger than the original LS1 / Camaro Z28 Radiator.

One aftermarket fan (pusher) is installed infront of the Radiator.

Today i made some measurements:

The fan kicks (low Level) in at around 185 F....
At around 196 F the fan goes high Level.


I got this datas from the PCM via OBD2.

My temp gauges shows around 10 - 15 F less than the PCM.
The sensor of the gauge is installed on the passenger side head.


Driving on the Highway (normal cruising) the pcm Shows around 199 F

In the City it goes up to 205 - 210 F

According to this Temperatur the fan is always working on high Level.

What do u think ...is the Radiator to small ??


Thanks again !!!

CU Achim

[dayj1]

It sounds like your fans are set fairly low. The stock LS1 thermostat is 187*, so turning on the low fan at 185* definitely isn't right. Your operating temp of 205* - 210* is normal, so it seems to me that your radiator is doing its job fine. I'd just get the fan temps adjusted in the tune.

[ACII]

That sounds good :-) and would be the cheapest way instead of changing the Radiator ..

Are there any possibilities to Change the tune by myself ? any recommended Software ?

Thanks
Achim

Originally Posted by dayj1

It sounds like your fans are set fairly low. The stock LS1 thermostat is 187*, so turning on the low fan at 185* definitely isn't right. Your operating temp of 205* - 210* is normal, so it seems to me that your radiator is doing its job fine. I'd just get the fan temps adjusted in the tune.

[crazy longhorn]

I agree, play with the temp settings, & see where she goes. Just another thought....I know that clearance is tight. My thoughts, are that a PULLER fan, will work better than the pusher? I run 2 -14" pullers on my 69, set up on Painless controls. On/205- off 195, & the fans switch on/off as needed. Cruising, the fans do not need to run (and they don't). I understand that you are controlling the fan with the ecm.....will it fit the back side of the radiator, as a puller? Longhorn

[siggyfreud]

If you're using the stock ECM you'd need something like HP tuners to change the fan on/off temps. It should be fairly straight-forward in the software to do it.

[BR3W CITY]

Originally Posted by crazy longhorn

My thoughts, are that a PULLER fan, will work better than the pusher? will it fit the back side of the radiator, as a puller? Longhorn

I'm also a fan of puller fans, especially in truck with as much frontal surface area as we have.

Achim- triple check that you have the fan blade installed the correct way, and that the fan's polarity is correct. With one or the other setup backwards, your Pusher isn't pushing. You can also check to see if your fan is compatible as a Puller fan, and try setting it up that way.

The nice thing about a puller, is that because we have big front ends, we have a large amount area for air to penetrate the grill and hit the radiator. With your current Pusher fan, the fan itself is blocking air flow from outside. With a puller fan, you see better "free cooling" with the fan off. In hot temps, it will pull the air through the radiator, and help to direct the extra airflow back over the engine and out of the engine bay.

I feel the puller fans help evacuate under hood temps more efficiently. Not to mention the leave room in front for oil coolers/trans coolers/power steering coolers/inter coolers....basically any kind of cooler

[ACII]

hy all

i already double checked the fan...it is a pusher and installed correctly.

the fan is working all the time, in the City it is not able to drop the temp noticeable.

I guess i have to buy a quality fan.....currently it is installed a cheap aftermarket fan

I know the benefits of a puller fan , but as u can see on the pic i dont have any space between the air inlet and Radiator.

For getting the right temp Setting i will probably go with a tune Software ..would u recommend a handheld or Software for the pc ??


What do u think about my Installation at the steam lines ??? Did i made the Job right ??

Thanks and cu
Achim