96 GTS engine questions

[codyusaf04]

Couple questions for you engine gurus out there--I'm not mechanically inclined enough to remove an entire intake-manifold myself...sooooo


#1--My GTS runs pretty hot (like 220-230 HOT in traffic after only sittin for 5-10 minutes)...so I would like to install one of the 160 degree thermostats--anybody have any idea how much it would cost to have one installed by a dealership/ mechanic? Also---should it be running that hot? Shouldn't the fan be kicking on at a much lower temp--even on the hottest summer days?


#2--While looking at thermostat install videos on youtube, i came across this video where this guy talks about #7 & 8 cylinders being starved of oxygen because of needing a 7 degree offset spacer on the intake ports---can anyone attest to this as fact for Gen II's?


I'm a newbie so I wanna learn as much as possible--i already bought the huge maintenance book so I can read up.

P.S.---When I get home from Afghanistan in December...any viper engine gurus in the Pennsylvania area that wouldn't mind showing/helping me do my own thermostat install would be greatly appreciated--i pay in beer & steaks LOL

 

[klamathpro]

I'm thinking two or three hours tops at $100 an hour for a Viper tech sounds close. So $200 - $300 on the high side plus the $35 stat.
Get a complete flush while you are at it.

Don't worry about the oxygen starvation, I've heard this before, but don't know how believable it is. Nothing wrong with too little oxygen, it just runs richer in those cylinders. I haven't heard of people losing an engine over it.

 

[Talon]

p.s. depending on how hot the day is, 220-230 isn't too out of the ordinary. The Gen 2's just run damn hot. If you have the service manual you can also verify this. It talks about hot days and the normal range can get up that high. That is at the high end though. You'll learn to just not sit in stopped traffic on hot days.

Also, the whole thermostat argument isn't exactly a sound one. A 160 degree thermostat (although I think you mean a 170) won't help with the high heat thing. The normal thermostat is a 195. It's wide open once you're running that hot anyway so having something open sooner won't make it get cooler. There are also arguments to be made about how well the engine actually runs and idles at the warmer temp anyway, but you'll have people on both sides of this. The real difference is while you're cruising down the highway it will keep the engine cooler. This does help HP but it also runs the engine cooler than it was designed which means some of the seal tolerances etc might not be as fully expanded as they should be. I would really hesitate going any lower than 170 though if you go for it. I have not changed out mine, but if I ever do I'm going with the 180. A little better but not too far from designed operating temp. Again, really the only difference will be at speed.

 

[codyusaf04]

Thanks for the input guys! I definitely understand what you mean Talon with the engine temps. I never thought about the engine needing to run at high enough temp...guess I always just got in the mindset of thinking cooler is always better.

I also thought about changing out the radiator to one of the aluminum ones that runs a little cooler instead of having to take off the entire intake manifold. Anyone have any thoughts on THAT instead?

 

[8.0L>1.8T]

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[daveg]

My 96 GTS runs normal!. Lower T-Stat wont help unless Its bad...Check fans to see It there working.

 

[speedracervr4]

What part of PA will you be coming back to? How old is your fluid? Have you checked your tanks(pressure & overflow)?

 

[codyusaf04]

I live about 35 minutes north of Harrisburg. I'm not sure how old the fluid is. The guy i bought it from had it serviced in August last year before I bought it. It had the required amount in it though. Pressure and overflow were fine too.

 

[speedracervr4]

I'm in the lancaster area and could probably help you out come December. I've done the Afghanistan/Iraq vacation a few times myself, stay safe.

 

[codyusaf04]

Oh ok cool...that would be awesome! yeah...been here now goin on 3.5 years...was Air Force, now contracting...i've had enough...December I'm done

 

[speedracervr4]

lol, yea I did the same thing Army, then 3 yrs contracting with L-3.

 

[Cannibal]

I changed my thermostat to 180 and it still runs at 190+ in hot weather or in traffic.

The issue about #7 & 8 running rich. Mine has the problem, I improved it a little by installing a 1" balance tube in the backend of the
manifold.
The manifold has a soft plug on the back end of each plenum. I found some preformed radiator hose and attached it to the manifold through
those soft plug holes to test it and see if it would moderate the imbalance and lessen the low rpm bucking. Bucking was reduced by about
50%. I am working on a bigger balance tube which I'm thinking might do more. My engine is not stock so I don't know this would do any good to a stocker.