LS antifreeze

[davepl]

Is it OK to run classic green antifreeze in the LS motors? I know there's a lot of aluminum, but I'm not actually sure if that's the point of the new orange Dexcool stuff or if it was just to last longer.

So... green OK or no?

[ls1nova71]

Green is fine, and actually what I prefer. To use Dexcool your system has to be completely sealed or it will turn into a baby crap/mud looking mess when it gets air to it. Ask me how I know....

The point of the long life stuff is just that, so you don't have to change it until 100k, along with platinum spark plugs and such.

[Rich84]

So does no radiator cap and a factory overflow bottle of the ls era constitute a sealed system?

[BR3W CITY]

I just use water and some water wetter, or green stuff when its stored in winter. Green is cheap and practical if your changing it out often

[jessemthompson]

Originally Posted by BR3W CITY

I just use water and some water wetter, or green stuff when its stored in winter. Green is cheap and practical if your changing it out often

Brew, how to you like the water wetter? Does it bring temps down as advertised? I've been interested in trying it this summer, especially now that I'm gonna be running AC.

[BR3W CITY]

So for the most part, what water wetter does is reduce risk of foaming, and reduces surface tension of the water, and act at a lubricant. The glycol does effectively does just that in coolant.

Water Wetter as a brand name is not much better or worse than anything else that it competes with. Its the most common and iirc the "first" one that was widely available. Companies like Redline make their own versions. I've used a few different ones, including dish soap, and haven't noticed any drastic differences (other than that I don't like dish soap on modern systems as much).

Take a look at some of the SCCA-type racing supply places. They sell the stuff at way better prices than the parts stores. Those goes use WAY more of it than the hobbyist builder, so you can buy about 5x the stuff for the money.

[jessemthompson]

Originally Posted by BR3W CITY

I just use water and some water wetter, or green stuff when its stored in winter. Green is cheap and practical if your changing it out often

Brew, how to you like the water wetter? Does it bring temps down as advertised? I've been interested in trying it this summer, especially now that I'm gonna be running AC.

[Jstock85]

Good info on that water wetter. I figured that was some kind of snake oil...

[BR3W CITY]

Originally Posted by Jstock85

Good info on that water wetter. I figured that was some kind of snake oil...

The idea itself does offer benefit over just distilled water alone, but ends up pretty even with coolant in terms of actual performance. If I ran water all the time, I'd have some type of additive in the system.

[NC_John]

We used to have to run di water and water wetter in our bikes for when we did track days (no antifreeze allowed on the track). Seemed to run a bit cooler. I'll probably run it in my new stroker LS.

[mongocanfly]

Back when we ran shifterkarts there was no antifreeze allowed on track as well.. so we ran water wetter..never had any problems