Running Temperature for Champion 3 Row Radiator 280Z

[AndysPlit]

I'm not sure if my gauge is reading right at 130-140 degrees. I have a 160 degree thermostat along with the new 3 row. I'm curious what others are running at that have the same radiator?

[Pop's Z]

Hi Andy, I have the three-row in my 240 w/ ZX motor and it runs right in the middle of the gauge. 180* thermostat.

Cheers, Mike

[rcb280z]

Mine runs in the middle with same radiator and 180 deg. thermostat. Why are you running a 160 deg. thermostat?

[jfa.series1]

A 160 deg. thermostat really doesn't allow the engine to get up to optimum operating temps. The OE replacement unit is 180 or 190 depending on which supplier you are looking at. With that slick new 3-row cooler out front I recommend you switch to the higher temp. unit. Been there, done that, glad I did!

[Stanley]

MSA Aluminum 3-row, and Nissan 180 thermostat, in my 240z. Stays right in the middle (180), even up the mountain on a hot day. Also using oil cooler. Sometimes goes up to about 190 after going 80 - 90 mph for an hour and then hitting a long 10 mph parking lot on the freeway. I wanted the 160 thermo, but the guy at Nissan parts counter talked me into 180, thanks for that.

[AndysPlit]

Wow.....I've been running a 160 thermostat for years!!! . An old Z garage that closed out here years ago talked me into it. Hmmm....I will definitely take the advice on this thread. My gauge still reads really low. I'm wondering if it has gone bad...The gauge that is, or the sending unit.

Edited March 21, 2013 by AndysPlit

[Pomorza]

Mate,

I run a 160* tstat in my Z. Even on the hottest days out here in the desert (so 115) the Z rarely ever gets above 170 and that's on a stock radiator. That being said, when I ran the stock 180 degree thermostat in the summer the Z would creep up to 200 occasionally. I'm pretty sure there's nothing wrong with running that warm but I don't like aluminum to get that warm. According to the service manual for tropical areas - so I'd guess like Florida in the middle of summer - they advise you run a 170* thermostate. Since they don't seem to sell these anymore I chose the next best thing.

That being said, if you're running stock fuel injection the computer will compensate for temperature until the car exceeds 158 (70 C) according to the FSM. I'd suspect that with your radiator this might occur so you would run richer and thus ruin whatever fuel economy you were counting on. I don't run stock EFI so I don't have this issue .

Thanks

Jan

Edited March 22, 2013 by Pomorza