New here. I have an 06 sierra vortec max. Heads, cam, nitrous setup. I didn't do anything to the bottom end. I'd still like to pour the nitrous to it and before I take it to the tuner I was wondering if anyone knew of a performance coolant instead of just the factory dexcool? From what I've researched the first thing to detonate from too much nitrous is the piston rings from the heat.

 

Coolant isn't going to change anything.

The heat in the cylinders really has nothing to do with the heat in the coolant itself, so long as you aren't pushing coolant temps of like 250+ and overheating like crazy.

If the cooling system is working fine and you have no high temps you don't have to do anything with changing coolant.

 

nitrous is a professional coolant

 

I've used engine ice my whole motocross career that stuff seemed to make a huge difference with overheating. Didn't know if there were any products similar

 

If you are a baller and want to spend some cash you can go Evans.

 

Run a 160 tstat and use 75/25 distilled water/dex

 

Just watched a YouTube video on from jay Leno garage on the Evans coolant. Seems like a good product more for aluminum block classics that sit more than they are driven. That's the first I've heard of the 160 thermostat that seems like an easy useful swap. I might just be looking for an excuse not to touch the bottom end

 

I gotta disagree with the above. I have seem many report that coolant temps are very important in cylinder temps and preventing detonation. Hence, why I always tried to keep my temps in the 170s under boost. The factory runs the engine hot for emissions purposes.

 

At a certain point yeah the temps can play a role for sure but it seems doubtful that he'd ever have those issues with what he wants and the mods done on his vehicle. To me it's when temps are pushing over 220+ are things far more prone to detonation.

All 3 of my 5.3 trucks that I've owned have ran the stock thermostat and stayed around that 190-198 mark up here in MN, even at those temps that's not very hot.

Not to always talk about him but even sloppy runs stock everything can always pushes those motors past 800hp on stock 190ish coolant temps.

 

Lower coolant temps allow more timing, so on hat theory alone running cooler temps will help prevent detonation as long as more timing isn't added to offset the temp drop. A cyl head running at 170 will be less detonation prone then one at 200 no matter what.

Just because someone made xxxx power on a stock thermostat doesn't mean it's the answer, with cooler temps he may have made it sooner ( nothing durastic). Also your comparing to E85 which is way less heat sensitive.

I am not sold on special coolant, but I think cooler temps are important. A proper functioning cooling system with a thermostat that allows engine operation in the 170-180 range is good IMO for a daily. If it's more of a toy then colder, but if you live in a cold climate the above mentioned range should have good heating also. Properly tuned fan on and off settings with an electric fan is also important.

Just my .02