FiTech Heat!!!

[bronkenn]

That is some great info. Awful nice of that fellow to share them.

 

[fablife]

another common problem is most aftermarket crank pulleys are under driven, making all accessories turn slower at lower rpm's. makes pwr steering probs, ac probs and cooling issues.

Smedley= great list of Fitech parts!!! thanks!

 

[SteveL]

I haven't dove in on the efi yet but if its computer controlled running off the the o2 sensor wouldnt it it adjust your timing and mixture to run a little hotter/cleaner? With my carbed 351s I run about 180 but isn't the optimum temp to run cleaner about 200?

 

[DirtDonk]

Yes the slightly higher temps are better for both combustion control and other things like oil life and efficient cylinder wall lubrication.
But the computer does not adjust ignition timing or mixture to change the temperature most likely. It's adjustments can effect temperatures, but I'm betting the computer is expecting the thermostat and radiator to control engine coolant temps to within a consistent range.

If they thought about it, then yes maybe they have a small range of temps that they try to adjust out of, but more often than not they're adjusting FOR the temp changes, rather than adjusting TO implement the changes themselves.
I doubt they could sense a 20 degree discrepancy and make adjustments to correct it. The exception (at least with factory stuff) would be to sense a high temp, for example about 240 degrees, and make adjustments to save the engine.
In other words, a limp-home mode for overheating.

If that makes sense?

Not sure if the aftermarket has gone there, but they might have.

Paul

 

[DirtDonk]

Speaking of factory stuff, a check engine light comes on if the temperature does not reach it's expected running range after several cycles.
I've had two vehicles do that now. In both cases it was the coolant temperature sensor being slightly off. I changed the thermostat in one, but that did not change the reading on the gauge or the light.
I could take any number of short trips and the light would not come on. But as soon as I got on my commute to Wild Horses, on the trip back that night the CEL would illuminate after about 10 minutes on the highway. Happened every time, then would go back out after short weekend around town trips.

Sensor replacements fixed the issue, but the computer did not apparently try to compensate to make the coolant temps rise back up those few degrees.
With factory stuff, that might be due to emissions constraints being more important than being able to change the temps. Assuming they can do that to begin with.
With the aftermarket not likely caring about that, if tuning could change engine temps that much they might decide to add that to the programming at some point.

But still, I don't think the small changes they could implement would be worth it. And the large changes might take too much toll on other criteria/parameters.

Paul