Reverse Cooling?

[Gary Derian]

The LT1 was the first production reverse cooling from GM.  The problem was
getting the air out.  Evans ran a Trans-Am car with reverse cooling for a
few years.  I think that work led GM to reverse cool the LT1.

The conventional cooling system on GM engines leaves a lot to be desired.
There have been several threads on this list devoted to it.  The worst
feature is poor circulation when the thermostat is closed which creates
uneven temperatures when driving fast in very cold weather.

Gary Derian <gderian at oh.verio.com>

> GM went to it earlier than the LT1.  If you look at late 80's IROC's
> TA's and vettes they should all be reverse flowed.  The reason as I can
> recall was something to do with trying to control the head temps for
> emmisions.  They were able to get around the need with the LS1 engine
> and went back to the standard flow which I believe keeps the whole
> system at a more uniform temp.  Bottom line still is that the gains
> weren't high enough for anyone else to fool with it.
>
> Thomas Martin wrote:
> >
> > Has anyone retorfitted an older V8 (non LT1) with reverse cooling?
> >
> > Is there any drawbacks to reverse cooling vs conventional?  It is worth
the
> > mechanical rework to do?
> >
> > I am curious to see why GM did it on the LT1, and from what I have
gathered, dropped
> > it on the LS1.  Knowing GM, there MUST have been a good reason.
> >
> > Thanks!
> > Thomas Martin