Performance chip question

[LT4John]

I just bought a 96 LT4 and was told it has a performance chip. The car runs very cool, so I believe it also has a cooler thermostat. the car also has no mufflers (stright pipes), a Vortex Ram Air, a B&M Ripper shifter and MSD wires. The car runs great, and I don't want to change anything, except maybe put some type of mufflers on to quiet it a little.
Question, how can I find out what, if any, performance chip I have in the car? Thanks for any help

 

[twiget]

Sounds like you've got one hell of an LT4 there John. There really isnt a "chip" in the LT4's. In order to change the programing in the car, you have to have the ECM reprogramed.

If it's running really cool, and the fans are comming on early, it's probably been reprogramed. My GS tends to run 200 on the highway and 220-230 in traffic.

For definate proof, I'd take the car to a Chevy dealership, or a shop firmilliar with Corvettes and have them check the programing.

Jason

 

[JohnnyC]

Congrats on the new LT4. I also have no mufflers, i'd suggest leaving them off. After 3000 rpms it's a monster of a sound.

John

 

[lt4 gs]

I just bought a 96 LT4 and was told it has a performance chip. The car runs very cool, so I believe it also has a cooler thermostat. the car also has no mufflers (stright pipes), a Vortex Ram Air, a B&M Ripper shifter and MSD wires. The car runs great, and I don't want to change anything, except maybe put some type of mufflers on to quiet it a little.
Question, how can I find out what, if any, performance chip I have in the car? Thanks for any help

When you say cool.........specifically?? and btw, welcome.............I'd leave the mufflers off the back.........you still probably have two behind the convertor......(resonators).......I run between 170 and 180 on the road and 200-210 in town on a really hot day........otherwise about 195.........and I have a non- factory puter (ecm)............set to all my little quirks

 

[LT4John]

The car has never gone above 200F, even in traffic. But it has been cool here in Atlanta this last week, mid 70's. I do like the muffers off but not sure for long trips. Better take a few days off from work and find out Thanks for the responses.

 

[maxrevs85]

Jason ,do you mind the engine running that warm. Are you planning on changing that?

 

[twiget]

Jason ,do you mind the engine running that warm. Are you planning on changing that?

It does bother me that the car runs that hot in traffic, however it's not a fluke that they run so hot. They are designed to run at that temp.

The only time's she ever really gets close to the 220-230 range is on a hot day in traffic. When that happens I roll down the windows and turn the heat up full blast. It cools the motor down real quick (should be a good way to cool the motor between blasts down the drag strip too....)

Over this winter I'm going to add an electric water pump and flush the coolant. There is some additives that are supposed to lower the opperating temp, one is "Watter Wetter" I'm going to give it a try. I know other GS'rs that have tried it and they say the car runs a good 10 degrees cooler.

Jason

 

[maxrevs85]

Flushing and additives are good. But I think reprograming the fans to come on sooner would be good too. Not trying to compare the Gs to my ole L98, but my stock chip made it run at 230 ,fans on at 228 as intended, and when I changed to a 180 thermo and put the new chip in ,fans on at 205and runs on the highway at 188, it seemed to like it better. i know I did:L.....The GS's are awesome

 

[Edmond]

Jason,

Where is Water Wetter available at?

With me being in IL and it getting cold, should I hold off on the Water Wetter until the spring?

 

[LT4SilverEagle]

My LT4 runs nice when moving, but block me in traffic and 220 is the norm. I'd like to reprogram the ECM, but don't have the tools to do it.

Any suggestions? I'd like the fans to come on at 190...


Gotta love our LT4's!!!

 

[twiget]

Edmond,

Everything you could ever want to know about water wetter is avalible on the Red Line Oil web site. That link has a full write up of what water wetter is supposed to do. I'm not sure if using it will raise or lower the freezing temp of the coolant or not. Baised on what I have learned in my chem class I'd say it might lower the freezing temp a few degrees, depending on the percetage use .vs water. To get a definate answer, I'd recommend emailing Red Line directly.

Silver,

Check out Hypertech.com they make programers and thermostats for the LT4. I'm not sure if their power programer will adjust the fan on temp, but I think it will. From what I've heard, a lower thermostat is pretty much useless unless the computer is reprogramed to turn the fans on sooner too.

Jason

 

[twiget]

Flushing and additives are good. But I think reprograming the fans to come on sooner would be good too.

Thats the plan, but I dont want to spend the cash on a programer right now.

I changed to a 180 thermo and put the new chip in ,fans on at 205and runs on the highway at 188, it seemed to like it better. i know I did:L.....

I've heard that from a lot of the people that do that particular mod. Hopefully my GS'll like it as much as your L98.

The GS's are awesome

No argument from me!!!

Jason

 

[maxrevs85]

LT4 silver eagle, 190 really isnt warm enough. And I dont believe in the 160 thermostat setup for evreydy driving. I recommend the 180.

 

[lt4 gs]

LT4 silver eagle, 190 really isnt warm enough. And I dont believe in the 160 thermostat setup for evreydy driving. I recommend the 180.

I respectfully and totally disagree.............:bash :bash :bash :bash

 

[twiget]

I respectfully and totally disagree.............:bash :bash :bash :bash

Could you elaborate please?

Jason

 

[Vettelt193]

In the general rules of engine performance, hotter is better.... But, in our case, cooler is better... it is just how the newer fuel injected cars are set-up.... with the 160 degree stat, the car will probably run around 180 anyway, the 180 stat will put you in the mid to high 180 range. The cooler our engines are, the more power they have. It is as simple as that. The only reason why chevy puts such a hot stat in, and wants the engines to run hot is emissions.... The hotter the engine runs, the hotter the exhaust, which heats up the cats more, which lowers emissions... which in turn lowers their tax, and the price of new vettes Go with the 160 stat and cooler running engine, you will have more power for sure!

 

[LT4SilverEagle]

LT4 silver eagle, 190 really isnt warm enough. And I dont believe in the 160 thermostat setup for evreydy driving. I recommend the 180.

:confused :confused :confused :confused

190 seems to be a good medium from what I have seen on others cars. The Bay State Corvette Club has many members who have 160 thermos and fans that come on at 170!! And these baby's run well. I wanted 190 to split the diff.... 220 is too warm and I can feel the difference. For instance, it was 34 this morning and once the car warmed up (185-195) she ran SWEET. But as traffic backed up and the temp climbed, it was noticable difference in performance... just my humble .02

Anyone have a hypertech thery can loan me to reset the fans??? :L ;worship :duh

 

[lt4 gs]

mine comes on at 170 w/160 thermo..............but I'still run around 180-190 most of the time............

 

[maxrevs85]

Lt4 silver, I meant 160 is not warm enough not 190.....I think 190 is perfect. I run about 185 / 205 . cruising / traffic

 

[lt4 gs]

Lt4 silver, I meant 160 is not warm enough not 190.....I think 190 is perfect. I run about 185 / 205 . cruising / traffic

Oh.......but it is warm enough........well, maybe not today...........Hey, we are neighbors............. :J