Thermostat?
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4,328
Likes: 15
From: Jacksonville FL
There are many arguments on tstat temps. GM put the 195 in for a reason. That being said I have a 180* stat in mine, just changed it out from a 160*. Your car will run at what ever temp it normally runs at no matter what you decide to put in.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,735
Likes: 412
From: WV
The statement above is what alot of people fail to realize.. Having a lower temp thermostat only means it will open sooner, the car will run at the temperture that it always has.. To make the car run cooler something in the system has to be changed , "only then" will it run below the temperture the factory has set it up to run...WW
Last edited by WW7; Aug 25, 2013 at 06:21 PM.
Advanced
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
chip
180 is ideal in these cars. It gives the best of both worlds. Your heat will still work good in the winter this way,but your engine will run a lot cooler. Your fans can be programmed to come on much earlier if you get a custom chip made. Your engine will never go over 200 degrees.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 149
Likes: 2
From: Long Island NY
Cars generally sit at the thermostat temp + 5 deg. or hotter on demand. Just lowering the stat temp isn't as effective as doing it with a chip to take advantage of it with more spark advance. A Hypertec II chip will do this and specifically wants a 160 stat. Did great on my 89. It will on an 87 too. Add an adjustable fuel pressure regulator and you have a nice setup. An extra pound or two on the fuel pressure helps.
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Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 438
Likes: 14
From: Tucson/Santa Paula AZ/CA
2017 C4 of Year Finalist
I was always told that ambient +10 is a great cooling system. I have the 160 degree with a Hypertech Stage II. Nice combo without experimenting.
Mick
Mick
Last edited by QZRBLU; Aug 26, 2013 at 06:12 PM.
Drifting
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 1,736
Likes: 31
From: Reno Nevada
I run a 180 T stat, and have programmed my fans to come on at 200, and off 190. My ecm shuts them off at 35 mph.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 88
Likes: 2
From: DeWitt MI
GM uses the hotter temps for a more efficient and complete burn. Stock runs anywhere from 195 to 226 before the primary fan comes on. While this is great to get the best mileage it does come at a cost. Colder air is more dense, and a denser intake air will create more power. Also, hotter temps create greater pressure in the coolant system. With the C4 cars now approaching 20 years or older some feel the colder air charge, and reduced pressure is worth it.
I run a 180 T stat, and have programmed my fans to come on at 200, and off 190. My ecm shuts them off at 35 mph.
I run a 180 T stat, and have programmed my fans to come on at 200, and off 190. My ecm shuts them off at 35 mph.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 438
Likes: 14
From: Tucson/Santa Paula AZ/CA
2017 C4 of Year Finalist
Mick
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 20,179
Likes: 673
From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
180 because the DeWitts radiator kept indicated water temp under 190.
Just wanted to be assured the t-stat was opened.
Just wanted to be assured the t-stat was opened.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 149
Likes: 2
From: Long Island NY
Two ways you can do this. Best way is to add a chip:
http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corve...sion-1987.html
There is also a sender that can be changed if you want to stay stock:
http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corve...1984-1995.html
Apparently Hypertech II is now called Hypertech Thermo Master.
http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corve...sion-1987.html
There is also a sender that can be changed if you want to stay stock:
http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corve...1984-1995.html
Apparently Hypertech II is now called Hypertech Thermo Master.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2,082
Likes: 3
From: Conowingo Maryland
The statement above is what alot of people fail to realize.. Having a lower temp thermostat only means it will open sooner, the car will run at the temperture that it always has.. To make the car run cooler something in the system has to be changed , "only then" will it run below the temperture the factory has set it up to run...WW
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2,082
Likes: 3
From: Conowingo Maryland
Perhaps the most common example of purely mechanical thermostat technology in use today is the internal combustion engine cooling system thermostat, used to maintain the engine near its optimum operating temperature by regulating the flow of coolant to an air-cooled radiator. This type of thermostat operates using a sealed chamber containing a wax pellet that melts and expands at a set temperature. The expansion of the chamber operates a rod which opens a valve when the operating temperature is exceeded. The operating temperature is determined by the composition of the wax. Once the operating temperature is reached, the thermostat progressively increases or decreases its opening in response to temperature changes, dynamically balancing the coolant recirculation flow and coolant flow to the radiator to maintain the engine temperature in the optimum range.
Last edited by hooked073; Aug 27, 2013 at 05:15 PM. Reason: delete some info
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 6,882
Likes: 234
From: Bangkok, Thailand
GM ran the cars hot to reduce emissions and try to sequeeze all the fuel economy out of them possible - doing the best they could to appease the EPA, plain and simple.
Keep in mind what the function of a t-stat is in the cooling system. The job of the t-stat is to regulate the flow of water from the engine to the radiator and back again. When the engine is dead cold, the stat is closed and water stays in the engine till the stat opens. When that happens, the hot water flows into the radiator and the cool water from the radiator flows into the engine. That cool water closes the stat and is then heated by the engine while the hot water in the radiator cools. They cycle then repeats.
Many people don't understand that if a car is running too hot "overheating" (due to a clogged radiator or some other mechanical problem) that putting in a lower temp stat makes the problem worse because the water then has less time to shed heat in the radiator.
If you want to run a lower temp stat there's nothing wrong with that as long as you also make sure the computer knows to expect a lower operating temperature and that the fans come on and turn off at matching (reduced) temps.
As stated before, the hotter the engine, the more all the plastic connectors etc., are "cooked" by engine heat.
Keep in mind what the function of a t-stat is in the cooling system. The job of the t-stat is to regulate the flow of water from the engine to the radiator and back again. When the engine is dead cold, the stat is closed and water stays in the engine till the stat opens. When that happens, the hot water flows into the radiator and the cool water from the radiator flows into the engine. That cool water closes the stat and is then heated by the engine while the hot water in the radiator cools. They cycle then repeats.
Many people don't understand that if a car is running too hot "overheating" (due to a clogged radiator or some other mechanical problem) that putting in a lower temp stat makes the problem worse because the water then has less time to shed heat in the radiator.
If you want to run a lower temp stat there's nothing wrong with that as long as you also make sure the computer knows to expect a lower operating temperature and that the fans come on and turn off at matching (reduced) temps.
As stated before, the hotter the engine, the more all the plastic connectors etc., are "cooked" by engine heat.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2,082
Likes: 3
From: Conowingo Maryland
GM ran the cars hot to reduce emissions and try to sequeeze all the fuel economy out of them possible - doing the best they could to appease the EPA, plain and simple.
Keep in mind what the function of a t-stat is in the cooling system. The job of the t-stat is to regulate the flow of water from the engine to the radiator and back again. When the engine is dead cold, the stat is closed and water stays in the engine till the stat opens. When that happens, the hot water flows into the radiator and the cool water from the radiator flows into the engine. That cool water closes the stat and is then heated by the engine while the hot water in the radiator cools. They cycle then repeats.
Many people don't understand that if a car is running too hot "overheating" (due to a clogged radiator or some other mechanical problem) that putting in a lower temp stat makes the problem worse because the water then has less time to shed heat in the radiator.
If you want to run a lower temp stat there's nothing wrong with that as long as you also make sure the computer knows to expect a lower operating temperature and that the fans come on and turn off at matching (reduced) temps.
As stated before, the hotter the engine, the more all the plastic connectors etc., are "cooked" by engine heat.
Keep in mind what the function of a t-stat is in the cooling system. The job of the t-stat is to regulate the flow of water from the engine to the radiator and back again. When the engine is dead cold, the stat is closed and water stays in the engine till the stat opens. When that happens, the hot water flows into the radiator and the cool water from the radiator flows into the engine. That cool water closes the stat and is then heated by the engine while the hot water in the radiator cools. They cycle then repeats.
Many people don't understand that if a car is running too hot "overheating" (due to a clogged radiator or some other mechanical problem) that putting in a lower temp stat makes the problem worse because the water then has less time to shed heat in the radiator.
If you want to run a lower temp stat there's nothing wrong with that as long as you also make sure the computer knows to expect a lower operating temperature and that the fans come on and turn off at matching (reduced) temps.
As stated before, the hotter the engine, the more all the plastic connectors etc., are "cooked" by engine heat.
Advanced
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
GM ran the cars hot to reduce emissions and try to sequeeze all the fuel economy out of them possible - doing the best they could to appease the EPA, plain and simple.
Keep in mind what the function of a t-stat is in the cooling system. The job of the t-stat is to regulate the flow of water from the engine to the radiator and back again. When the engine is dead cold, the stat is closed and water stays in the engine till the stat opens. When that happens, the hot water flows into the radiator and the cool water from the radiator flows into the engine. That cool water closes the stat and is then heated by the engine while the hot water in the radiator cools. They cycle then repeats.
Many people don't understand that if a car is running too hot "overheating" (due to a clogged radiator or some other mechanical problem) that putting in a lower temp stat makes the problem worse because the water then has less time to shed heat in the radiator.
If you want to run a lower temp stat there's nothing wrong with that as long as you also make sure the computer knows to expect a lower operating temperature and that the fans come on and turn off at matching (reduced) temps.
As stated before, the hotter the engine, the more all the plastic connectors etc., are "cooked" by engine heat.
Keep in mind what the function of a t-stat is in the cooling system. The job of the t-stat is to regulate the flow of water from the engine to the radiator and back again. When the engine is dead cold, the stat is closed and water stays in the engine till the stat opens. When that happens, the hot water flows into the radiator and the cool water from the radiator flows into the engine. That cool water closes the stat and is then heated by the engine while the hot water in the radiator cools. They cycle then repeats.
Many people don't understand that if a car is running too hot "overheating" (due to a clogged radiator or some other mechanical problem) that putting in a lower temp stat makes the problem worse because the water then has less time to shed heat in the radiator.
If you want to run a lower temp stat there's nothing wrong with that as long as you also make sure the computer knows to expect a lower operating temperature and that the fans come on and turn off at matching (reduced) temps.
As stated before, the hotter the engine, the more all the plastic connectors etc., are "cooked" by engine heat.