What is the normal temps I should be seeing? 1997 1.8 CSF rad. Mine runs near 200F. I know the rear runs warmer, I do not have a reroute kit. The dumb gauge is at the normal 11:30 spot, but it really has to get hot for that needle to move. Thanks, I want to make sure I am not chasing a non-problem.

 

Depends on what thermostat you are running, power level, and ambient air temperature, but 200F isn't unusual.

 

It is the OEM highflow stat. I have a turbo running about 7psi, an FM system. The car was getting into the 205-206 range before I installed the new rad. The car seems to be at 200F regardless, reaches it at idle or low load cruise speeds and stays there. Pushing it harder does not seem to effect it. As an experiment, I pulled the thermostat. That kept the temps low at idle, but driving at 60-65 brought it to 200+ in a short while. Letting the car idle brought the temps back below 190F, that was not happening with the thermostat installed. I am going to bypass the heater core as it seems I have a flow problem? I am also going to try a cat test pipe. The car just seems to run too warm, hot starts are a problem. I think the fuel may be boiling in the fuel rail. I have a fuel pressure gauge hooked up doing some other work and I notice the fuel pressure rises after shutting it off hot.

 

200 is fine, before I went reroute and 180 thermostat I was seeing like 220 -- switch out your thermostat if you are really concerned about it. Stock fans or aftermarket and how are they wired?

 

It just seems to warm up real quick too. When I pulled the stat out, it still rose to 200F at a steady 60mph. It may be normal??

What sort of temp reduction did you see when you did the reroute?