Engine temperature question

I have a 97 GTP, everywhen I was stuck in slow traffic, my engine temperature will rise to 90 c degree (I think that is the limitation of stock 190 tstat), then goes down to 70 c degree, then back and forth until I can speed up (temperature will stay at 70 c degree).

I am just wandering if the constant high engine temperature will shorten head gasket life?

I'm not great a celsius to farenheit conversion, but the fans kick on around 210 degrees on a stock engine computer. Our engines were made to run hot and operate 190-210 constantly. I would not worry about head gasket damage by the temps alone. If you want to keep a handle on those temps in slow traffic, you can purchase a dhp or intense reprogrammed computer which turns on the fans at 180 degrees iirc.

Thanks for your reply.
Is it easy to install a DHP by myself?

Thanks for your reply.
Is it easy to install a DHP by myself?


Yes it is pretty easy, especially with the fact that you have a 97 with performance shift already. It is a little more difficult for the 00+ guys because Pontiac stole our performance shift :|

You simply have to unbolt the stock airbox (if you don't have an aftermarket cold air intake), pull out the factory pcm, unbolt the connector (2 bolts I think), replace the old computer with the new one. Bolt the connector back on, slip the new pcm into the airbox, bolt it up and your done. You will need to have a case learn done eventually at your local dealership which is 5 minutes hooked up to a tech 2 computer.

The guys at dhp are good and would walk you through the install if you have any questions. Also, dhp recommends you have a 3.4 pulley, cold air intake, and your u-bend removed before you install it. Version 2.0 is coming out very soon so you may want to wait before you fork over cash for version 1.0.

You know, now I'm glad I didn't get a '00+ model. I like my performance shift.

well...you can still install it with a new shifter and running a wire from the pcm....but it still sucks....

97's dont even need a case learn do they?