Here's my dilemma.....sorry it doesnt involve rims or paint or purchase price!

Engine runs 185-190 under light traffic. Thermostat opens(185), coolant cycles, no issues...she stays under 205....HOWEVER...once I get on a highway and the engine starts pushing higher RPMS (no overdrive and 3.73's) she climbs to 215....then I get to the stoplights and she will climb to 220, and 225 at lights (still climbing...I hit 225 today) City traffic keeps her at 220..........bring her back to a low cruise (35-45mph on regulated town roads) and she will cool down to 195. (maybe, thats only after several minutes of slow driving on slow back roads)

So, I ask you this. Will an electric cooling fan bring it back into the optimal 195 operating range or do I need to install a bigger radiator?

Anything above 200 and my engine gets lethargic. I want to keep this thing cool. Whats the BEST fix?

 

http://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS/555/51904K/10002/-1

Why not both? It's a little pricey, but that setup would keep it cool no problem.

The flex fan would probably cool just fine with a larger radiator though. That's the root of your problems, our stock radiators aren't the greatest. You could just get a universal aluminum radiator and run the flex fan, and if you needed to you could install an electric fan.

 

if you do decide to order an aluminum radiator, don't order one from a local parts store. they are a stock replacement, and arent that much better than stock. i dont know if youre running electric fans or a clutch fan, you didnt specify. a higher cfm clutch fan will get you the cooling you need for low speeds without effecting engine performance like a flex fan would. also, ive heard horror stories of flex fans ripping apart and peircing hoods. anyhow, the stock electric fans arent that great either. if you are looking to upgrade to an electric fan, pick one that will draw at least 2200 cfm. a larger cfm one will be safer as well if the wiring kit matches the amperage. you can buy wiring kits with set or adjustable on and off temps, manual override, and different types of temps probs (electric sending unit it head, or a bulb in the radiator or hose). they also offer them with a/c switches to turn it on.

 

Do you still have a functioning AIR DAM under the car????? If not, that is your problem at highway speeds, because the fans are working at low city speeds.

 

IM running a flex fan, air dam is still intact. I think Im gonna bite the bullet this winter and install a larger radiator. Ive only got about 6 weeks of good driving weather left so Ill put this off until then. I may go back to the clutch fan, the pitch is so much higher and doesn't flatten out like the flex fan does. It just scares me to hit 220. I get all panicky...

 

The clutch fan on mine could keep it cool at cruising speed, however when I would come to a stop the temp would shoot up to 220+.

Either keep the flex fan or go electric. IMHO clutch fans suck.

 

hey i have a 88 camaro it was a v6 but i put a 355 in it and now i am having really bad overheating problems it runs at the 230 to 280! i always shut her down before i warp my heads but i put a new radiator in and a new stat that opens at 160 and a new electric fan that i always run but it still gets hot someone help me out i have done almost eveything except replace my head gasket which i really dont wana do if anyone has any ideas on wut to do to cool this ***** off let me know PLZ!

 

hey i have a 88 camaro it was a v6 but i put a 355 in it and now i am having really bad overheating problems it runs at the 230 to 280! i always shut her down before i warp my heads but i put a new radiator in and a new stat that opens at 160 and a new electric fan that i always run but it still gets hot someone help me out i have done almost eveything except replace my head gasket which i really dont wana do if anyone has any ideas on wut to do to cool this ***** off let me know PLZ!

 

did u get a 2 row or 4 row radiator? bigger motor, need bigger radiator.

 

do all that you can to increase airflow from the front and underside. also, if your weather doesnt go below 0*F, run a coolant mixture of 75% water. water transfers heat better than antifreeze. you can also use a coolant additive called water wetter, it breaks the water tension and allows better heat transfer.