C5XTASY

Title says it. Realizing that thermostats only affect the lower end of coolant temps, I want to change thermostats and thought that a 160 was too cold...carbon deposits, etc. However, in doing some reserach, it appears that the 180 degree thermostats run warmer than 180 degrees, and I was wondering if a 160 thermostat would give me close to 180 degrees, on the freeway, which is what I actually want, after changing fan settings, off course, to about 190 and 195, or so. Any experience,and info, would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Ed

byte_me

I run 195 on the highway in my 97 with a 180 degree T-Stat. I was climbing in the upper 230's prior. In stop and go traffic, I see 215's and then when I move again it goes right back down to 195. This is in Florida 95 degree sun as well. So my 180 T-Stat, new coolant and a bottle of water wetter broght me down 35 to 40 degrees. I was seeing those upper 230's on the highway even way too hot for my liking...I am comfortable with my after figures now. Not sure how much cooler a 160 would make you...but if I saw these numbers going from stock to a 180- I am sure a 160 would get you even cooler...

Good luck!

George V

I have a 160 with a DeWitts Radiator. I see 170* on the higway and 189* max at a stop light in 95* weather. My fans are set at 182 low and 187 high speed

99 vett babycar

yesterday it was 96 here with a 160 thermostat my coolant temp was 186, trani fluid, with cooler, 172, oil temp 211 cruising at 60 - 65 mph.

shurite44

Highway with a 160 I usually ran around 190.

C5XTASY

Interesting...with a stock thermostat, and fans set at 200 and 205, I run about 194 on the highway.
Ed

shurite44

Well I probably should put a range on there. Going by memory here but 185-190.

Dan_the_C5_Man

After installing a 160 deg. Hypertech t-stat, I had to pull it back out, since during the winter months (gets down to low to mid 30's) it was running right at 160-162, which is too cold IMO.

So I sold that t-stat, and modified my original with a shim. I have it running right at 180 during the coldest temps, and during 95 degree summer days on the freeway I see mid 180's, never above 190, i.e. "perfect".

shurite44

Also it has a lot to do with your fan settings.

C5XTASY

That is almost exactly what I would like to see. I wonder if the Vinci would give me about 180?
Ed

Insom

i ran 199 to 201 w/ the stock z06 thermostat.

upgraded to the 160 thermostat last saturday.. its around 178 to 181 around town.. hottest i've seen it get was 185 since the swap on a 97 degree day.

C5XTASY

Where are your fans set? Thanks!
Ed

B Taylor

Since adding mods to the engine I felt I was running the coolant temp a bit high. Going above 230 in the Phoenix 110+ temps in traffic. However at temps up to 95 with the stock T-stat I was running 196ish. So it is really only at higher temps that the stock cooling system was strained. I recently went through a process of changing cooling things. Started with opening up the fog light vents, checking for debris on the A/C condensor and between it and the radiator. Going to a 70% distilled water/30 coolant and a bottle of Water Wetter. Adding a Dewitt radiator, changing to a 180 T-stat and adjusting the fans. All of this has contributed to lower temps 20+ degrees. However the thing that I can not stress enough was the condition of my stock radiator. As you know airflow across the radiator is key to good heat transfer. I inspected it from the top, from the bottom, used a brush to remove the leaves, bags, etc, hosed it off, vacumned it off. I thought it looked clean, but after removing it I could not believe the junk that was unnoticeable between the fins. Now by blowing it out after removal there was a pile of tiny bits of stone, grass, etc. I would bet that with most people complaining of high temps, especially a gradual increase from last year, that your only problem is the junk in your radiator fins. Now that I have spent close to $600 and numerous hours working on it, I wish I could see what the affect of just giving the radiator a good cleaning would have had. Consider pulling it out every few years, it isn't that difficult, and giving the fins a good cleaning. The other benefit is that the A/C works better. Brian

bcseitz

It's hot out here and in the summer my 160 runs about 186-190 hwy. My fans are set about 192 and 198.
Even with our mild winters in Az., A 160 is almost to cold, takes a few miles of easy driving to bring the oil temp up to a safe temp. to start pushing the throttle.

vetterdstr

169 to 180 deg on my car.

VR

IM QUIKR

On 95 degree days:
With the AC off, I run between 179-184
With AC on, The temp rises to between 190-210

RonJ

The AC sure does bump the temperature up a fair bit!!

Ron ...

Threed

187 on a 180 degree thermostat.

Swany00

With a 160 I was seeing 205 in 107 degree weather, sitting in traffic. Usually she's around 190-195.

ebubman

i think we have a standard stat; @ highway speeds 194 temp; in stop & go traffic on hot days, circa 220. bub