Will the ZL1 overheat? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Pulpdeth · 10-08-2022, 06:16 PM

As foolish as this may sound, I was on a mission to see if my ZL1 would overheat. We used a bone stock low mileage 2013 M6 vert on a road trip.
Passed thru Lone Pine on 395 South and took a left onto highway 190 towards Death Valley. The Temperature on the ground by Keeler was registering 109 F. Leaving Keeler there is a very long straight steep grade where we conducted our research. Starting coolant temperature was 196F according to the instrument display. Commited to a full throttle run up the hill in 6th gear and held our velocity to the top of the grade. Velocity was as high as this very nicely paved road would allow. No traffic present AT ALL. At the top of the grade the coolant temperature read 226F degrees. We dropped down into Panamint Valley and repeated the same research going up the Panamint Mountains. The ambient temp on valley floor read 115F degrees. At the end of the uphill run at extreme velocity, the digital engine temp readout registered 228F.

My impression is that the early ZL1's seem to have allot of reserves when it comes to rejecting engine heat.

Lou gill · 10-08-2022, 06:45 PM

I have logged 350 miles on back twisting roads in western Wisconsin in 95 degree heat, my Z doesn’t flinch!

danvillekidd · 10-08-2022, 08:52 PM

I've had "air conditioning disabled " or something similar on a road course in NM in 105+ heat. Of course I pulled off and let it "cool" down...what little it can at those temps.

silversleeper · 10-08-2022, 09:15 PM

It did fine with 100mph airflow through the coolers and radiator. That is one test, now try sitting in traffic on the Las Vegas strip on a hot day. The traffic can barely move you might have to wait through the same light for a few times. The heat coming off the pavement and other cars boosts the already hot outside temps, and you want the AC on because with windows down its feels like you just opened the oven door.
See how it does on those conditions for an hour. I think it will do ok, might have to turn off AC but you'll see much more heat stress that way.

Robmnrd · 10-09-2022, 09:50 AM

I don't think I've ever seen mine go over 226 (when the fans kick on to bring it back down when at low speeds).

Live in TX, do plenty of "fun" driving on top of high-traffic low speed/no movement.... temps this year for 3+months straight hit 105 degrees or higher, etc..

Coolant temps aren't the problem for our cars the majority of the time - they stay cool quite well overall. It's IATs, and the poor cooling related to our "intercooler" and HX that eventually cause "problems" for the vast majority of people.

10-08-2022, 06:16 PM	#1
Pulpdeth Drives: ZL1 Join Date: Oct 2022 Location: USA Posts: 1	Will the ZL1 overheat? As foolish as this may sound, I was on a mission to see if my ZL1 would overheat. We used a bone stock low mileage 2013 M6 vert on a road trip. Passed thru Lone Pine on 395 South and took a left onto highway 190 towards Death Valley. The Temperature on the ground by Keeler was registering 109 F. Leaving Keeler there is a very long straight steep grade where we conducted our research. Starting coolant temperature was 196F according to the instrument display. Commited to a full throttle run up the hill in 6th gear and held our velocity to the top of the grade. Velocity was as high as this very nicely paved road would allow. No traffic present AT ALL. At the top of the grade the coolant temperature read 226F degrees. We dropped down into Panamint Valley and repeated the same research going up the Panamint Mountains. The ambient temp on valley floor read 115F degrees. At the end of the uphill run at extreme velocity, the digital engine temp readout registered 228F. My impression is that the early ZL1's seem to have allot of reserves when it comes to rejecting engine heat.

10-08-2022, 06:45 PM	#2
Lou gill Drives: ‘13 ZL1 convertible Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Mad City WI Posts: 176 View My Garage	I have logged 350 miles on back twisting roads in western Wisconsin in 95 degree heat, my Z doesn’t flinch!

10-08-2022, 08:52 PM	#3
danvillekidd 2013 ZL1 Drives: 2013 ZL1 m6 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Avondale AZ & Indy will always be home Posts: 870 View My Garage	I've had "air conditioning disabled " or something similar on a road course in NM in 105+ heat. Of course I pulled off and let it "cool" down...what little it can at those temps.

10-08-2022, 09:15 PM	#4
silversleeper Big Crow Drives: '13 ZL1 Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: California Posts: 1,489	It did fine with 100mph airflow through the coolers and radiator. That is one test, now try sitting in traffic on the Las Vegas strip on a hot day. The traffic can barely move you might have to wait through the same light for a few times. The heat coming off the pavement and other cars boosts the already hot outside temps, and you want the AC on because with windows down its feels like you just opened the oven door. See how it does on those conditions for an hour. I think it will do ok, might have to turn off AC but you'll see much more heat stress that way.

10-09-2022, 09:50 AM	#5
Robmnrd Drives: 2013 ZL1 Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Texas Posts: 110	I don't think I've ever seen mine go over 226 (when the fans kick on to bring it back down when at low speeds). Live in TX, do plenty of "fun" driving on top of high-traffic low speed/no movement.... temps this year for 3+months straight hit 105 degrees or higher, etc.. Coolant temps aren't the problem for our cars the majority of the time - they stay cool quite well overall. It's IATs, and the poor cooling related to our "intercooler" and HX that eventually cause "problems" for the vast majority of people.