What are safe temps for the engine? Sometimes it goes up to 210F or about 100C, normal operating seems to be 188 on freeway and 193-199F in traffic, is 210 safe? What is unsafe?

 

it's still safe. but higher then normal. damage will start around 240 or so.

I still get up to 200F with my k2rd rad. I'm gona flush it again and put another thermostat in next week cause it should be better then that.

 

Do you know a better way to cool radiator? I have a greddy fmic in the way I have an efan on it, stock radiator and I am waiting on a fluidyne rad.

 

my stock FD will do 102-4 C at Cal spdway at Feb in SoCal . so around 75-80 F??

Checked out motoring Video - 15 lap on tsukuba, water temp will go up to 106 C on 99 FD

Of course lower the better but 100-104 Celsius i'd live with on hot laps and within safe temp, my opinion.

 

so where on the temp gauge should we all start worrying????? cause lately mine's been between 2/3 and 3/4, i just dont have time to tear everything apart....

 

Radiator info:
http://fc3s-pro.com/TECH/MODS/COOL/rad.htm

Operating temps:
http://fc3s-pro.com/TECH/MODS/EL/wtemp.htm


Where on the gauge should you start worrying? My opinion is that the stock gauge is a finicky device that can't be relied on. Some people drive around with the needle at half or even two-thirds and everything's fine.
I got my 7 an aftermarket gauge to remove any question about what temp my motor is at.

Suds7 - you said you have a stock radiator. Is it one of the copper ones? The copper units suck.

 

Under normal driving conditions the Water temps should not exceed 185F.

 

Water temps where? in the rad? in the engine? ive always wanted to ask to ask this. I noticed some of the black magic e-fans have the thermo stat in the lower left corner of the rad where the water would be pretty cool. This would throw off readings wouldnt it? it could be 200*'s there but over 230 before the rad and wouldnt this cause damage?

 

The stock gauge's sensor is just under the oil filter. Too bad the gauge doesn't report in degrees. 'Gee, I'm between L and H. That must be good.'

I put my aftermarket gauge's sensor in the coolant filler neck. The neck is already moulded for a sensor so I just had it tapped. Nothing wrong with the readings from there.

 

I have the same fan and probe location. Except I have It right below the Upper Rad Hose.

Providing your Thermostat Is top notch, It will open up at 180 degrees. It Is from there you set the Black Magic to work at this temp.

I have a Water Temp Gauge that I used. From when It hits 180, I set It to open from there. Eitherwise, the fan will not respond unless the Rad Is "hot".

Alternatively, If you don't have an aftermarket gauge, keep rotating the switch on/off to catch It once the Thermostat opens...