At your temperature sensor, what is your average reading at idle/driving, what tstat and radiator/fan setup are you running?

Ive been trying to figure out if 190-198 degrees is normal temperature for a cooling temp with a double row radiator, two cooling fans, and 170 degree thermostat. Im used to reverse cooling systems where the colder coolant flows into the top of the head and down through the block, honda's arent like that, they flow up through the lower end and out the top of the head, thus the hottest temperatures pass by the temperature sensor.

From what ive been able to tell everything is functioning normally, top hose is hot, bottom hose is cool, system flows normally, holds pressure well, water pump is brand new, gauge is normal. The actual #'s ive been following using my laptop and ectune while datalogging.

 

Here is my old cooling set-up
Turbo Manifold(Bare)
Turbo blanket(Ebay)
Go-Autoworks Half radiator
Flex-a-lite 14" Pusher fan(NAPA)
Hood Spacers
Hondata Datalogs 192(sometimes) 189(Sometimes) these are on cool nights.
New set-up consists of
Wrapping the manifold & Charge pipping; I get temps that fluctuate from 190 driving then they will drop down to 168 then go to 180.. these datalogs are on hot 83 degree weather.. hope this helps

 

I've come to this conclusion... It depends on where you place the Temp sensor to what time of tempatures you get...

I picked up an adaptor to place the Temp Sending unit in the upper radiator hose, which is the hottest water/coolant coming right out of the head and into the radiator. So I've seen average temps there of 209-220 in normal operating temps. But if I place that same sensor on the back of the block like the OEM sensor then I get a range of 185-195... So my OEM gauge and Digital Temp gauge constantly conflict with each other! My OEM gauge says it's in the normal range, but my aftermarket one says 220!

So have at it, at the moment I didn't get worried unless my OEM gauge started to climb to 3/4 and at that point the Aftermarket gauge said 235ish which is damn hot!

I have another problem though with my set-up, I have a ton of Heat Soak from the Turbo being so close to the radiator and my fan not moving enough air when the outside air temps are above 80!

 

yeh the factory temperature gauge im using for measurements through ectune is in the side of the head right next to the point where it exits into the upper radiator hose, i assume im a little higher then i want because of the supercharger temperatures being somewhere around 210 degrees IAT during 80-90 degree weather, and the header being so close to the radiator which emits tremendous amounts of heat because of how thin it is.

 

That's nothing, if I get stuck in traffic or I let the car idle without the fan the temps will creep up to 230's! I'm in the process of getting higher CFM fan installed, but even at 230 degrees on my digital gauge my OEM gauge is only 3/4 and not completely overheated... So I feel your pains! Turbos are freaking hot!!!

 

lol ok well i dont feel so bad with 198 then

 

I'd say our fine, but again it's based on where you place the Digital Temp Sensor... If you place it on the block you will see OEM Specs of 180-190... If you place it on or near the head where the hottest temps are you will see 20-30 degrees higher. (But that's not necessarily bad from what I can see so far)

 

have you all tried hood spacers? some dont like them but they seem to help me especially when the fans kick on pushing the heat past the motor the opening of the hood; instead of pushing it around in the bay..

 

SPAL 13" fan and shroud + full size rad = end all

 

Yep I use to have that set up, but my new turbo set up doesn't allow that do to lack of room in my crx's small engine bay! It's a tight fit as I have it now! But yep that's the optimal set up!

I think I will change out my thermostat while I'm doing everything as if that's not functioning correctly my heat will increase due to poor coolant flow to the radiator... Just a quick swap since I don't know how old the current one is...