n2trbl

My question to you guys is... generally how long does it take (driving time) for your temp gauge to reach 9 o' clock. Considering the car is driven normally, not floored at every possible moment, and under normal temps like mid to high 70's. I now these gauges are far from accurate but I would still like to know. Mine usually reaches 9 o' clock after about 5 mins. Is this normal? I have had it above that close to 10 o' clock but never passed that point. Another question... After I shut my car off, I hear that ticking sound a car makes after being driven for a while. But mine does it even if I drive around for like 5 mins. and even if I never get into 3rd gear.( my friend lives like 2 blocks and I take the residential streets so there is no need to be going fast enough to hit 3rd.) I am worried about overheating my car. I hear all the horror stories and now I guess I'm just a little overly worried. Any help is great. I hope I'm just being worried, and this is normal thanks..... Oh one more thing (sorry). Is it true that if you drive you car with the running lights on that the fans will come on sooner?! Thanks again.

Snook

iTrader: (12)

it normally takes a while to warm up the car so 5 min sounds good maybe even more
The gauge hardly moves or doesn't move at all so maybe you just imagined the 10 oclock one or maybe it went higher than you are saying? If not then you shouldn't be worried at all.
I'd say that the ticking sound is the cat letting off all of the heat since it gets so hot. Do you still have a precat I'd get a dp thats always a good mod.
Yeah its true about the lights. You can also do the fan mod very very easily and be able to turn your fans on any time you want or leave them on all the time like I do so you feel better.

good luck

n2trbl

Man thanks alot... I'm so relieved. I've heard alot about this fan mod.. How is it done? How much would it cost? And about the cat.... My car is completly stock since I just bought it about a month ago so no dp yet.
I've just heard about people heat soaking their car and what not so it got me a little worried. But I'm not so much more... Thanks so much.

Garrett

Don't worry about the stock temp gauge so much unless it starts climbing fast. It is non-linear and if it reads in the middle it could mean anyting. Non-linear just means that it does not read acurately in terms of a steadily climbing temperature, instead it just stays at a certain point for an amount of temperature until it starts climbing again. If it happens to climb fast immediately turn off your car, pop the hood, then turn the electrical systems on and run the ac. This activates the engine fans to run on high.

I used to hate not knowing how hot my car was running and not knowing what to do in case. So if you really want to know, get an aftermarket water temperature gauge. This will be a good investment and relieve your worried mind. Get a downpipe to help the engine breathe better. The fan switch modification is really easy to do with no experience whatsoever. Do that so your engine will run cooler. The ideal operating temp is between 80 C and 90 C.

www.rx7store.net (for the temp gauge and mount)

http://rx7.voodoobox.net/howto/fanswitch/fanswitch.html (fan switch modification)

n2trbl

so just an aftermarket temp gauge should do the trick? You don't need to upgrade the sensor that measures the temps? And is the fan mod you linked the same thing I hear everyone else talking about? Thanks again for you guys' help.

apneablue

for the fan mod see this website

http://rx7.voodoobox.net/

skunks

for god sakes get an aftermarket guage asap!

In anycase, the metal cooling down crackel is normal

Snook

iTrader: (12)

yeah you need another sensor too. it should come with the gauge that you buy (which you should buy now!). I'd suggest putting the sensor on the water pump underneath where the alternator is. Where the stock sensor is now is a very good place. You want it as far away from the the water pump and before the thermostat so it reads the hottest temperature possible.
You can also linearize your stock gauge. You can search for instructions. If you were really hardcore you would get an aftermarket gauge and also linearize your stock one and then you'd be all over any rise in temps!

Wargasm

Assuming that your car is full of coolant everything is probably OK. I think 5 minutes to reach 9 is maybe about right. How many miles are on your car? Do you still have the precat? If the precat clogs, the car will warm up a little faster... so that would be one of the things I'd look at if you wanted to be extra safe.

Brian

n2trbl

thanks for all your ideas... the temp guage along with a new ast is on the top of my mods list. I plan on doing reliability type mods first before performance ones. I also plan to upgrade where needed such as the radiator and such. The precat could be a little backed up... I'll see what I can do about that. I'll try to get the temp gauge as fast as humanly possible. Thanks guys for all your help! I couldn't do this without you guys!

n2trbl

I searched like 10 times re-wording the key words and I can't find anything on how to linearize the stock temp gauge. It may be just me because I know that a few other people on this site are haveing problems with the search engine. Sorry to keep bugging you guys. I'll still search more myself. Hopefully I can find something.

cruser

It may be easier for you to just get a PFC. You can monitor your temps through the commander. If you are going to be doing mods later on you will need this most likely anyway.

n2trbl

nevermind I found it... finally. One more question... actually an opinion. You guys prefere a normal style or a digital gauge? Any brands in particular you guys favor besides autometer( I've heard they have inaccurate readings) say HKS, GREDDY, spi?

n2trbl

okay I went through all the thread related to linearizing the stock temp gauge.... but all the links don't work. Either the site is under construction or the page can't be displayed.ahhhhhh! I hate to keep bothering you guys but this is very important that I get this gauge in so I can have peace of mind. Thanks so much. Sorry I'm such a pest!

stlFD

I read about this a few months ago. I am pretty good with electronics and yet I still did not want to try this mod. It seems to be pretty difficult. It involves taking the dash apart, taking out the temp guage, buying specific diodes from Radio Shack, and sottering the whole mess together. It just seemed like more work than necessary. Just buy an aftermarket guage. It will be accurate as hell and will have temps clearly marked on the face. I have greddy guages, but If I had to do it all over again, I would get Defi Guages. They look cooler and they're not too expensive. You can get them at RX7store.