SCT Tuner Question

[Maverick74]

I am a new LS owner. Recently got a 2005 LS with the 3.9.
I have been reading thru the forum.
Thinking of getting the SCT 3015 that has the canned tunes pre-loaded.
Anyone have one?
Was wondering if anyone knew if this tuner will allow you to change the
temperature that the engine cooling fan will come on? I see it's an option with the
tuner but they also note not all options are available for all vehicles covered.

Thanks

 

[joegr]

If you are having cooling system problems, making the fan come on sooner and/or removing the thermostat won't help. Fixing the leaks will.

 

[Maverick74]

No cooling problems that I am aware of just want it run run a little cooler than it does.

Thanks

If you are having cooling system problems, making the fan come on sooner and/or removing the thermostat won't help. Fixing the leaks will.

 

[LS4me]

No cooling problems that I am aware of just want it run run a little cooler than it does.

Thanks

The thermostat will mechanically attempt to regulate the coolant temp. I wouldn't mess with it as the engine was designed to run optimally at a specific temperature.

 

[Telco]

What I think he's attempting to do is the old 180 thermostat trick where you can get a bit more power from the engine by running it cooler at the expense of fuel efficiency. Unless the SCT tune allows the engine to be tuned to run on a 180 thermostat there's no use bothering with it. The SCT tuner that allows you to set your own tune would be the better way to go in any case, because canned tunes are still one size fits few.

 

[Maverick74]

Yes I want to do something like that. Superchips allowed that with their canned tunes. You could have the fan come on below the stock setting. Used that for years with my old Cougar. I would actually like a 180 thermostat for the LS too but so far have not found one that I know for sure will fit. Looks like the factory thermostat is around 190/195 but the stock setting/fan allows the temp to get much warmer than that while sitting and idling. I monitored the temps while reviewing live data from the PCM while working on the car and would like the fans to kick in at a lower temp even if I cannot find a lower thermostat. As long as you do not go outside the lower limit of the system loop it will not harm anything. Less heat can be better as long as you don't go too extreme. Thanks

What I think he's attempting to do is the old 180 thermostat trick where you can get a bit more power from the engine by running it cooler at the expense of fuel efficiency. Unless the SCT tune allows the engine to be tuned to run on a 180 thermostat there's no use bothering with it. The SCT tuner that allows you to set your own tune would be the better way to go in any case, because canned tunes are still one size fits few.

 

[NickT88LSC]

Yes I want to do something like that. Superchips allowed that with their canned tunes. You could have the fan come on below the stock setting. Used that for years with my old Cougar. I would actually like a 180 thermostat for the LS too but so far have not found one that I know for sure will fit. Looks like the factory thermostat is around 190/195 but the stock setting/fan allows the temp to get much warmer than that while sitting and idling. I monitored the temps while reviewing live data from the PCM while working on the car and would like the fans to kick in at a lower temp even if I cannot find a lower thermostat. As long as you do not go outside the lower limit of the system loop it will not harm anything. Less heat can be better as long as you don't go too extreme. Thanks

A couple of years ago when my T-stat went bad it effectively did what you are trying to do, run engine at a lower temp. My temp gauge would only go about 1/4 way up instead of half, so since the mechanics car is last to get worked on it stayed that way until check engine light came on for cat efficiency because of the extra fuel constantly being requested at lower temps. Changed t-stat very quickly and cat cleared out and no more codes since then.

 

[Maverick74]

Looks like your car actually may have come with a 183 thermostat according to many replacement parts listings, that is if yours is the 3.9l. Wish I could find one like that to fit mine. Thanks for the heads up on your issues as I can watch for that but have not had problems with other vehicles I have done this with.

A couple of years ago when my T-stat went bad it effectively did what you are trying to do, run engine at a lower temp. My temp gauge would only go about 1/4 way up instead of half, so since the mechanics car is last to get worked on it stayed that way until check engine light came on for cat efficiency because of the extra fuel constantly being requested at lower temps. Changed t-stat very quickly and cat cleared out and no more codes since then.