2008 vs 2009+ Thermostat
09-22-2012, 04:32 PM
#1
Drifting
Thread Starter
2008 vs 2009+ Thermostat
Hi.
I have a 2008 C6 stock LS3 that has a stock GM 187 degree thermostat.
There was a change to the thermostat and housing for 2009+. These OE thermostats are now 180.
Does anyone know why GM made the change?
I am about to drain the coolant, and I am considering "updating" to the newer thermostat. I know I have to change the thermostat housing as well.
I just want to confirm: If I change to a 2009+ GM thermostat, and 2009 GM thermostat housing, will that work, i.e. will the bolts line up, does the rad hose fit, etc.?
Car runs 196-198 on highway - I just would like to drop to 190-194 (it's a mental thing). If 2009+ can do it, any reason why I can't?
Thanks,
M...
I have a 2008 C6 stock LS3 that has a stock GM 187 degree thermostat.
There was a change to the thermostat and housing for 2009+. These OE thermostats are now 180.
Does anyone know why GM made the change?
I am about to drain the coolant, and I am considering "updating" to the newer thermostat. I know I have to change the thermostat housing as well.
I just want to confirm: If I change to a 2009+ GM thermostat, and 2009 GM thermostat housing, will that work, i.e. will the bolts line up, does the rad hose fit, etc.?
Car runs 196-198 on highway - I just would like to drop to 190-194 (it's a mental thing). If 2009+ can do it, any reason why I can't?
Thanks,
M...
09-22-2012, 07:31 PM
#4
Drifting
Thread Starter
Thanks for the prompt responses.
I have seen a couple of web sites that show the OE stat as 180F for 2009+. Stant & Lingenfelter show them as 180F. Now I'm confused.
The part numbers for the thermostats are different for 2005-2008 vs 2009+, as is the thermostat housing. The diameter of the 2005-2008 stats is 2.1", vs the diameter of the 2009+ which is 2.2" Why did GM make the change ? To improve cooling ??
Actually I was contemplating on using the 180F (#15158) Stant Thermostat. I like there specs.
A forum member has gone from a the stock OE 187F to a 180F. Highway temps run around 192F-194F - well within the 190F-200F GM wants.
As long as oil temps are above 200F, water will 'boil' away.
As part of my maintenance schedule, I will be changing the coolant in my 2008 (about 20,000 miles). I will remove the thermostat to better drain the system. I am thinking I might as well do the 180F thingy at that time.
FYI Thermostat sizes:
For 2005-2008 LS3:
2.12 upper outer diameter (without gasket) (54mm)
2.28 upper outer diameter (with gasket)
1.46 lower outer diameter
1.80 disk to disk length
2.57 overall length
Note for the 2009+ LS3
2.20 upper outer diameter (without gasket)
2.34 upper outer diameter (with gasket)
1.59 lower outer diameter
1.91 disk to disk length
2.71 overall length
Quite different.
Anyone check out the degree rating of the OE thermostat on a 2010+ LS3 ?
Thanks,
M...
I have seen a couple of web sites that show the OE stat as 180F for 2009+. Stant & Lingenfelter show them as 180F. Now I'm confused.
The part numbers for the thermostats are different for 2005-2008 vs 2009+, as is the thermostat housing. The diameter of the 2005-2008 stats is 2.1", vs the diameter of the 2009+ which is 2.2" Why did GM make the change ? To improve cooling ??
Actually I was contemplating on using the 180F (#15158) Stant Thermostat. I like there specs.
A forum member has gone from a the stock OE 187F to a 180F. Highway temps run around 192F-194F - well within the 190F-200F GM wants.
As long as oil temps are above 200F, water will 'boil' away.
As part of my maintenance schedule, I will be changing the coolant in my 2008 (about 20,000 miles). I will remove the thermostat to better drain the system. I am thinking I might as well do the 180F thingy at that time.
FYI Thermostat sizes:
For 2005-2008 LS3:
2.12 upper outer diameter (without gasket) (54mm)
2.28 upper outer diameter (with gasket)
1.46 lower outer diameter
1.80 disk to disk length
2.57 overall length
Note for the 2009+ LS3
2.20 upper outer diameter (without gasket)
2.34 upper outer diameter (with gasket)
1.59 lower outer diameter
1.91 disk to disk length
2.71 overall length
Quite different.
Anyone check out the degree rating of the OE thermostat on a 2010+ LS3 ?
Thanks,
M...
09-23-2012, 01:20 AM
#5
Safety Car
My 2010 came with the 187* now I run the 160* and within a very short distance (approx. a mile) my DIC reads 180* which is where it usually stays at cruise. Getting on it will raise the temp along with stop and go.
09-23-2012, 01:42 AM
#6
Drifting
Yep. Stock stats are 187*. Changed to a 160* in my '09. Runs 174-180* operating temp at cruise. Around town temp will rise but goes back down to 174-180* cruising.
09-23-2012, 03:23 PM
#7
Oil doesn't run that hot on the highway even with stock stat, and I'm talking TX hot 
. Engine is designed and tuned to run on stock stat. The cooler the stat, the worse for the engine as ambient temperatues cool down. Don't understand some folks' obsession to run as cool as possible. Maybe a larger radiator, or turning fans sooner, but messing with the stat on a modern engine is crazy IMO (to each his own, I guess). Again, engine is designed to run hot. You just don't want it hotter than normal. Have a good one.
. Engine is designed and tuned to run on stock stat. The cooler the stat, the worse for the engine as ambient temperatues cool down. Don't understand some folks' obsession to run as cool as possible. Maybe a larger radiator, or turning fans sooner, but messing with the stat on a modern engine is crazy IMO (to each his own, I guess). Again, engine is designed to run hot. You just don't want it hotter than normal. Have a good one.
09-23-2012, 11:12 PM
#8
Drifting
Higher temp stats are used for Emissions not for Max Horsepower and Torque. At 200*+ temps, computer will begin to pull timing which Kills Power.
The LOWER coolant temp equals more power, the ECM pulls timing with increased coolant temp.
Link to Vette engineer, runs a 160* in his own car.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/1547302169-post5.html
If you want stock power stay with the stock stat, if you want more power go with a 160* stat.
The LOWER coolant temp equals more power, the ECM pulls timing with increased coolant temp.
Link to Vette engineer, runs a 160* in his own car.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/1547302169-post5.html
If you want stock power stay with the stock stat, if you want more power go with a 160* stat.
09-25-2012, 09:25 PM
#9
Team Owner
Member Since: Sep 2000
Location: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
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St. Jude Donor '13
Oil doesn't run that hot on the highway even with stock stat, and I'm talking TX hot . Engine is designed and tuned to run on stock stat. The cooler the stat, the worse for the engine as ambient temperatues cool down. Don't understand some folks' obsession to run as cool as possible. Maybe a larger radiator, or turning fans sooner, but messing with the stat on a modern engine is crazy IMO (to each his own, I guess). Again, engine is designed to run hot. You just don't want it hotter than normal. Have a good one.
. Engine is designed and tuned to run on stock stat. The cooler the stat, the worse for the engine as ambient temperatues cool down. Don't understand some folks' obsession to run as cool as possible. Maybe a larger radiator, or turning fans sooner, but messing with the stat on a modern engine is crazy IMO (to each his own, I guess). Again, engine is designed to run hot. You just don't want it hotter than normal. Have a good one.Our 2006 LS2 would eventually settle the oil temp at 210-220 on the highway at 70 mph, summer in Illinois.
Our 2009 LS3 runs about 5' warmer on the oil, 215-225 in summer.
We put over 40k miles on both cars, and a lot of long trips, so we're very familiar with the temperatures. It takes about 30 minutes for the oil temp to stabilize.
We've convoyed with many other C6's and compared various readings over the radio, they are all running oil temps similar to ours after the readings level out.
