Hey guys,

I've had my engine rebuilt and I'm running a Vortech SCi blower with 3.12 pulley. I planned on installing my Koyo radiator, but I didn't know I would have issues with the stock fans so I stayed with the OEM radiator. In the whole process of this build, I also installed a mishimoto thermostat. Currently, my average operating temperature seems to stay right around 154 F and that's with spirited driving. The only time I've seen the temps rise are in bumper to bumper traffic. The outside temps in my area are currently around 40-55F. I should also add that I'm running an oil cooler and fuel return system. I don't want to upgrade to the Koyo if these temps are already to low, but are they? My gas mileage is not very good at all either. I think I read somewhere that the colder operating temps can contribute to that, but I'm not sure. I'm contributing the engine temps to my oil cooler and mishimoto thermostat. What do you guys think? Is this something I should be concerned about? What temperature should I be at? Oh, and by the way... the temp on the speedo gauge is near the middle....I just have a separate digital readout coming from the OBDII.

Thanks.

Tony

 

OEM fans work fine. Been running them for years and had 2 turbo kits on my car.
The oil cooler could be the cause for lower operating temps. 154F sounds way too low for normal driving though. it should be around 185-200F

 

Tony, as long as your OE gauge reads normal (just below 1/2) you should be fine. I don't believe your operating temp could be 154 degrees since your gauge reads half, I see a discrepancy there. Thermostat s/b at least 185 degrees, unlikely even in the UK your operating temp could be 154 degrees...Gary

 

Thanks for the help. I've attached a pic of my set-up to monitor my vehicle. I've been meaning to post pics to give other members ideas as to how they can use a digital system as opposed to a the traditional gauge pod set-ups. I'll get to that later though. As you can see in the pic, I'm monitoring 8 different readings on my Dashdaq screen. 4 look analog and the other 4 are numerical in the middle of the screen. The ECT temp is the third one down. I do throw a check engine code for low coolant temp as well, despite the reading on my speedo eventually getting close to the middle. The ECT temp reading is coming directly from the OBDII so I can't see how its off really, Seems weird to me. Just trying to figure out if the thermostat is the culprit here. From the numbers its seems that my temp is pretty low, which may be the cause for me bad gas mileage. Let me know your thoughts.

 

Just to add, when I took this pic I wasn't moving. The engine does heat up when in stop in go traffic. It was at 185 in this pic. Cruising speeds on the highway keep it at 154 though.

 

Here is larger pic.