350 Vortec Cooling Setup
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Aurora, Illinois
Posts: 133
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 85 Camaro S/C
Engine: 350 Vortec 330 HP 650 Demon Carb
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.42 Richmond Powertrax
350 Vortec Cooling Setup
For those that are having cooling problems with a Vortec Engine installed in a 3rd Gen, I thought I'd add my setup that works. Maybe someone has already posted something similar. But thought it might help some new members.
Parts:
Water Pump with inlet fiting at the top.
Heater Hoses.
GM OEM Themostat 180 degrees.
180-200 degrees switch for Electric Fan.
Run heater hose from rear pass side of intake to heater inlet. (Firewall).
Run heater hose from outlet for the heater to the Radiator.
Run short bypass hose from front pass side intake to top inlet on the
water pump.
Drill two real small holes on each side of themostat. Allows some water to
bypass when themostat is closed.
Ran this setup since spring through the hot summer (95 degrees) in traffic and engine stayed between 180 and 200 degrees. Stayed just around 190 degrees on highway with Airdam in place in front. Good enough for me.
Hope this helps some who are having problems.
Parts:
Water Pump with inlet fiting at the top.
Heater Hoses.
GM OEM Themostat 180 degrees.
180-200 degrees switch for Electric Fan.
Run heater hose from rear pass side of intake to heater inlet. (Firewall).
Run heater hose from outlet for the heater to the Radiator.
Run short bypass hose from front pass side intake to top inlet on the
water pump.
Drill two real small holes on each side of themostat. Allows some water to
bypass when themostat is closed.
Ran this setup since spring through the hot summer (95 degrees) in traffic and engine stayed between 180 and 200 degrees. Stayed just around 190 degrees on highway with Airdam in place in front. Good enough for me.
Hope this helps some who are having problems.
#2
Supreme Member
iTrader: (6)
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Elwood, IN
Posts: 3,670
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
3 Posts
Car: 1986 camaro Sports Coupe
Engine: L31 350
Transmission: 89 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.42 gov lock
Re: 350 Vortec Cooling Setup
For those that are having cooling problems with a Vortec Engine installed in a 3rd Gen, I thought I'd add my setup that works. Maybe someone has already posted something similar. But thought it might help some new members.
Parts:
Water Pump with inlet fiting at the top.
Heater Hoses.
GM OEM Themostat 180 degrees.
180-200 degrees switch for Electric Fan.
Run heater hose from rear pass side of intake to heater inlet. (Firewall).
Run heater hose from outlet for the heater to the Radiator.
Run short bypass hose from front pass side intake to top inlet on the
water pump.
Drill two real small holes on each side of themostat. Allows some water to
bypass when themostat is closed.
Ran this setup since spring through the hot summer (95 degrees) in traffic and engine stayed between 180 and 200 degrees. Stayed just around 190 degrees on highway with Airdam in place in front. Good enough for me.
Hope this helps some who are having problems.
Parts:
Water Pump with inlet fiting at the top.
Heater Hoses.
GM OEM Themostat 180 degrees.
180-200 degrees switch for Electric Fan.
Run heater hose from rear pass side of intake to heater inlet. (Firewall).
Run heater hose from outlet for the heater to the Radiator.
Run short bypass hose from front pass side intake to top inlet on the
water pump.
Drill two real small holes on each side of themostat. Allows some water to
bypass when themostat is closed.
Ran this setup since spring through the hot summer (95 degrees) in traffic and engine stayed between 180 and 200 degrees. Stayed just around 190 degrees on highway with Airdam in place in front. Good enough for me.
Hope this helps some who are having problems.
#3
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Aurora, Illinois
Posts: 133
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 85 Camaro S/C
Engine: 350 Vortec 330 HP 650 Demon Carb
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.42 Richmond Powertrax
Re: 350 Vortec Cooling Setup
On the question... How do I like the 350 H.O. Vortec?
Except for the cooling problem in real hot weather, fixed that and it's been ok.
It has a Edelbrock RPM Air-Gap Intake with a 650 BG Speed Demon with
manuel secondaries. It also has hedmen Headers & MSD Ignition.
It runs ok except the Carb is hard to tune. Either to lean or to rich.
I fiddled with it a lot and got it running ok. Runs best with Timing set at 14 degrees BTC.
It has lots of power, with same setup rated by Car Craft at 370 HP.
Lots of Med range power.
Hope this helped.
Except for the cooling problem in real hot weather, fixed that and it's been ok.
It has a Edelbrock RPM Air-Gap Intake with a 650 BG Speed Demon with
manuel secondaries. It also has hedmen Headers & MSD Ignition.
It runs ok except the Carb is hard to tune. Either to lean or to rich.
I fiddled with it a lot and got it running ok. Runs best with Timing set at 14 degrees BTC.
It has lots of power, with same setup rated by Car Craft at 370 HP.
Lots of Med range power.
Hope this helped.
#4
Supreme Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Howard Lake, MN
Posts: 1,293
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes
on
4 Posts
Car: 86 Camaro
Engine: 355- hopefully a 5.3 this summer
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Re: 350 Vortec Cooling Setup
you could also use the water pump gasket as a template to drill the 3/8" bypass hole in the block to essentially turn it into an older block and then you wouldn't need to have any other bypass, but as long as the heater hoses are hooked up that is the bypass circuit.
#5
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Las Vegas
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 89 camaro iroc, 89 camaro rs
Engine: 350-iroc / 305 rs
Transmission: 700r4 / t5
Re: 350 Vortec Cooling Setup
On the question... How do I like the 350 H.O. Vortec?
Except for the cooling problem in real hot weather, fixed that and it's been ok.
It has a Edelbrock RPM Air-Gap Intake with a 650 BG Speed Demon with
manuel secondaries. It also has hedmen Headers & MSD Ignition.
It runs ok except the Carb is hard to tune. Either to lean or to rich.
I fiddled with it a lot and got it running ok. Runs best with Timing set at 14 degrees BTC.
It has lots of power, with same setup rated by Car Craft at 370 HP.
Lots of Med range power.
Hope this helped.
Except for the cooling problem in real hot weather, fixed that and it's been ok.
It has a Edelbrock RPM Air-Gap Intake with a 650 BG Speed Demon with
manuel secondaries. It also has hedmen Headers & MSD Ignition.
It runs ok except the Carb is hard to tune. Either to lean or to rich.
I fiddled with it a lot and got it running ok. Runs best with Timing set at 14 degrees BTC.
It has lots of power, with same setup rated by Car Craft at 370 HP.
Lots of Med range power.
Hope this helped.
#6
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: las vegas
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1989 iroc z
Engine: 355 vortec hotcam tpi
Transmission: t-5
Re: 350 Vortec Cooling Setup
i live in vegas aswell. im doing a 355 vortec tpi i did the intake water pump bypass is that enough? or do i need to drill holes in thermostat?
Trending Topics
#8
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Las Vegas
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 89 camaro iroc, 89 camaro rs
Engine: 350-iroc / 305 rs
Transmission: 700r4 / t5
Re: 350 Vortec Cooling Setup
If u do go whit that make sure u have a dual core rad and dampener and it won't hurt if u put a dual fan set up on it b/c u no how it get during the summer
#10
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Las Vegas
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 89 camaro iroc, 89 camaro rs
Engine: 350-iroc / 305 rs
Transmission: 700r4 / t5
Re: 350 Vortec Cooling Setup
its a piece of plastic or metal that go in front of the rad
#12
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: FL
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 86 camaro iroc Z, 07 Aprilia RSV
Engine: 350 sb
Transmission: looking for it
Re: 350 Vortec Cooling Setup
Hey tryin to research this and came across this thread. What kind of radiator are you using, the stock? I have an 86 iroc, put in a bored Vortec 350 that was rated at 450 hp, can't control temp for nothin. From playing with timing and tuning, 180 thermostat, even runnin 2 small very powerful fans in front of the rad and the stock fan behind the rad. Still using the stock rad and was looking for a bigger one but wasn't sure where to start as far as that goes. Temp will climb to 190 pretty fast, then city will stay about 200, I hop on the highway and it jumps on up to 220+ forcin me to stop and cool Down. I have no ac no heater no extras, hooker headers that was a pain to fit around the starter. Anyways what kind of rad are y'all using?
#13
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Aurora, Illinois
Posts: 133
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 85 Camaro S/C
Engine: 350 Vortec 330 HP 650 Demon Carb
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.42 Richmond Powertrax
Re: 350 Vortec Cooling Setup
I also use a stock Radiator with Dual IROC Fans, that kick on at 200 degrees and off at 180 degrees. Be sure there is a AirDam in place. If not it will run hot at highway speeds. Have no problems...
Attached pic with reply.
Attached pic with reply.
#14
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: FL
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 86 camaro iroc Z, 07 Aprilia RSV
Engine: 350 sb
Transmission: looking for it
Re: 350 Vortec Cooling Setup
Hmm yeah I don't have the airdam thing, been lookin for junkyards with camaros but none in north bama. And u mention dual iroc fans... Hmm mine only had a large single but like I said added 2 new fans to the front. Once it heats up after highway use it won't cool below 215 unless I stop for a while. Also all my fans are bypassed to stay on all the time. I'm kinda thinkin with my set up the stock 2 core copper brass rad isn't large enough to handle the bigger motor. Surely that airdam alone wouldn't be why it gets 220 and up on highway.
Also in the nose of the car right in the middle where it says "camaro" to each side of that I have just open holes, is there supposed to be an extra part in those holes to keep the air directed right into the rad?
Also in the nose of the car right in the middle where it says "camaro" to each side of that I have just open holes, is there supposed to be an extra part in those holes to keep the air directed right into the rad?
#15
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: FL
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 86 camaro iroc Z, 07 Aprilia RSV
Engine: 350 sb
Transmission: looking for it
Re: 350 Vortec Cooling Setup
Lol just noticed this thread was from 2012.. Kinda old huh. Oh well. Been a long day. Thx for replyin to me though
#16
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Aurora, Illinois
Posts: 133
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 85 Camaro S/C
Engine: 350 Vortec 330 HP 650 Demon Carb
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.42 Richmond Powertrax
Re: 350 Vortec Cooling Setup
That's ok...I still E-mails from this thread..Goodluck.
#17
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Aurora, Illinois
Posts: 133
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 85 Camaro S/C
Engine: 350 Vortec 330 HP 650 Demon Carb
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.42 Richmond Powertrax
Re: 350 Vortec Cooling Setup
I haven't looked in a while but I believe mine bolts to the cross brace just in front of the Radiator. Yes you need the Airdam or it will get hot at highway speeds. Most will anyway. Goodluck with your setup.
#19
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: FL
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 86 camaro iroc Z, 07 Aprilia RSV
Engine: 350 sb
Transmission: looking for it
Re: 350 Vortec Cooling Setup
Hey again, I made some custom airdams from random stuff found at lowes, didn't really help any. Ended up getting a champ 3 core rad and my temps finally dropped down to 190 highway, 195-200 slow city depending on traffic. The rad seems to make the biggest diff. Thanks for the info on the airdams
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Fast355
DFI and ECM
14
12-02-2016 06:33 PM
Eric-86sc
Engine/Drivetrain/Suspension Parts for Sale
0
08-24-2015 09:01 PM
L98GTA87
Engine/Drivetrain/Suspension Wanted
1
08-11-2015 06:55 PM