2013 ZL1 engine cooling upgrade recommendation? - Page 2 - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

JB'sZL1 · 03-26-2021, 02:55 PM

What type of coolant did you install?

lrramboe · 03-26-2021, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2013ZL1FUN

I think we are overlooking the blockage that the screen is causing, I would remove it, as I think it is impeding air flow.

Thanks, did remove it at that time it was heating up, no change. made up and installed a new one as in Arizona we have huge bugs and lots of rocks. LOL Learned the hard way about damaged and air flow plugged up radiators!

lrramboe · 03-26-2021, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JB'sZL1

Did you perform a complete flush? Silicone based coolant needs to be changed and flushed every 5 years.

Forget the T Stat. I would install an Afco dual fan radiator with a switch on the dash: you turn on whenever you want. Water Wetter can cool it a few more degrees in your hot climate. That should keep you cool enough unless you track it.

May do the manual switch install. Currently have dual fans. Already have a prox. sensor in the front to save the lower air dam too. Just do not want to cut too many holes. Good idea on the Water Wetter, I'll try it.

lrramboe · 03-26-2021, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JB'sZL1

What type of coolant did you install?

Dexcool, self mixed with distilled water @50/50 ratio. Added water wetter too.

ZMEnow · 03-26-2021, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lrramboe

Thanks, verified full system flush with no air pockets, at that time I serviced the cooling system lifted the front end high to bleed off any air trapped in the cooling system, ran until t/state opened without pressure and did the same thing next morning.

That won’t assure you don’t get a pocket.

lrramboe · 03-26-2021, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JB'sZL1

Did you perform a complete flush? Silicone based coolant needs to be changed and flushed every 5 years.

Forget the T Stat. I would install an Afco dual fan radiator with a switch on the dash: you turn on whenever you want. Water Wetter can cool it a few more degrees in your hot climate. That should keep you cool enough unless you track it.

Agreed, all coolants need to be flushed on a regular basis, I do it every 2 years on my mini fleet. Dexcool is O.A.T. based coolant unlike propylene glycol based coolants. Problems with Dexcool is letting air into the cooling system, this accelerates corrosion-reason why I do a complete flush/clean/change every 2 years. Also do a coolant, oil analysis every oil change to keep up on any changes in the engine. I use Lab One Inc. Phoenix, AZ. They started out doing fluid analysis for aviation in 1985. Purchase the 10 pack of sample kits, much less expensive.

lrramboe · 03-26-2021, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JB'sZL1

That's not incorrect...there are a number of ways to wire it. The purpose behind a manual switch is one has complete control over the fans...if you are stuck in a traffic jam on a blistering day, you can preempt overheating by turning the fans on sooner, rather than later. Also, some complain of the Afco fans being obnoxiously loud...I don't notice with my exhaust.

My exhaust is not so loud at idle as yours I think! LOL Short tubes, Corsica exhaust. I'll check out the Afco fans...

JB'sZL1 · 03-26-2021, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lrramboe

Already have a factory dual fan setup. Wonder if the fan cut-in can be modified to work a little sooner?

You write you have the factory dual fan. There's no comparison...especially in AZ. The AFCO has triple the volume and 350% of the cooling area.

lrramboe · 03-26-2021, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZMEnow

That won’t assure you don’t get a pocket.

OK, forgot to mention pulled a vacuum on it too. Still have some tools left after retirement.

lrramboe · 03-26-2021, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JB'sZL1

You write you have the factory dual fan. There's no comparison...especially in AZ. The AFCO has triple the volume and 350% of the cooling area.

I assume you have the AFCO fans, got a source recommendation?
Thanks

JB'sZL1 · 03-26-2021, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lrramboe

I assume you have the AFCO fans, got a source?
Thanks

I do have the AFCO's, purchased several years ago from Polmax Racing. But there are a number of places to purchase on sale at times: RDP, Afco, etc. That alone will get you a lot more cooling in the desert (80's for the next week...90's next week...whew). And it's not even HOT yet in Phoenix.

ZMEnow · 03-26-2021, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lrramboe

OK, forgot to mention pulled a vacuum on it too. Still have some tools left after retirement.

HDRDTD · 03-26-2021, 05:01 PM

How about looking the entire engine/cooling system with a thermal gun to look for any abnormalities?

JB'sZL1 · 03-26-2021, 05:12 PM

He could do that as well. But being in the desert...it's almost always hot. Dealership could not duplicate the problem...leading me to believe it was hot when it happened, and maybe a lot of standing, hard driving or city driving. It would be nice to know those facts when it overheats. Either way, an Afco can lower the temps 25', so being in the desert, I think that's a good call.

03-26-2021, 02:55 PM	#15
JB'sZL1 Drives: 2013 ZL1 and 2019 Ram Laramie Join Date: May 2017 Location: Milwaukee Posts: 1,259	What type of coolant did you install?

03-26-2021, 05:01 PM	#27
HDRDTD Drives: 2013 Triple Black ZL1 Vert M6 ECF Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Trenton, Michigan Posts: 7,046	How about looking the entire engine/cooling system with a thermal gun to look for any abnormalities?

03-26-2021, 05:12 PM	#28
JB'sZL1 Drives: 2013 ZL1 and 2019 Ram Laramie Join Date: May 2017 Location: Milwaukee Posts: 1,259	He could do that as well. But being in the desert...it's almost always hot. Dealership could not duplicate the problem...leading me to believe it was hot when it happened, and maybe a lot of standing, hard driving or city driving. It would be nice to know those facts when it overheats. Either way, an Afco can lower the temps 25', so being in the desert, I think that's a good call.