A friend has a stock 1988 L98 and he asked if he can put in a 160 thermostat so his car runs cooler? I have one in my car but I also have a Thermo Master Power Chip and my car never runs hot!
Thanks for any help
JIMVET

 

Yes he can install a 160deg T-stat into his '88 and run cooler. But if he wants to run cooler in traffic he will also need to install one of the followring: 1) a matching chip, 2) manual fan switch or 3) a matching aux fan switch and wire that switch (per my C4 Tech Tip) to control the main fan.

If he does not now have the booster fan he will need to first remove (I hear it's a PITA to remove) the plug in the block below #1 & #3 spark plugs before installing the aux fan switch. Then he will need to route the wiring from that aux fan switch to the Grn wire going to the main fan relay, located below the brake MC at the rear of the left innner fender well.

 

Changing the thermostat won't MAKE the engine run cooler. The thermostat doesn't regulate how hot the engine can run. It only controls how cool it can run. If he make changes to the fan on/off temps and cleans up the air flow through the radiator, it may run cool enough for him, without the stat change and prolonging his warm up time.

RACE ON!!!

 

Wrong. If it is cool enough outside that the radiator can keep up to the heat that the engine outputs a 160 will only let the motor heat to 160.
Yes in warmer climates you need to turn the fans on sooner to take advantage of the cooler stat.

 

I put a 160 in my 1988. Main differences: 1. It takes a lot longer for the motor and the oil to warm up, 2. I lost 2 miles per gallon on the freeway, 3. The engine does seem to run about 10 degrees cooler in "ordinary weather (outside temps under 95), like 180-185. In the summers here it gets pretty hot (up to 112), it runs about 195-205 which is where the old 180 thermostat ran all the time. With either thermostat, I am a dead duck when I turn on the air and get into slow traffic.

 

In the NY area you will definitely see a dramatic difference in engine operating temps.

With the 160deg T-stat & complimentary fan on/off operation and a clean radiator temps will not hit 180deg F even in traffic in 95deg weather. And it will NOT take longer to reach the new operating temp of 160deg F. Running in summer heat with the A/C on may indeed cause higher coolant temps but that's a problem with the radiator, not the T-stat.

Yesterday I cruized several hundred miles in 95 deg heat with coolant temp holding at around 170deg F (A/C not on to the dismay of my passenger but she will get over it). Late in the evening, in 75deg temps, she was running 160deg F.

I highly recommend this mod for more power and lower under hood temps. Just tell your friend to be sure to change motor oil regularly and run a high quality full synthetic product.

 

The way I look at it,

Thermostat controls engine temp

Fan settings control radiator temp.

 

What did I say that you feel is wrong? What you say, "If it is cool enough outside that the radiator can keep up to the heat that the engine outputs a 160 will only let the motor heat to 160." only confirms my, "It only controls how cool it can run." But then, what happens when the outside air ISN'T cool enough where the rad can keep the water temp at 160*? The lower temp stat can't hold the water temps down. Think about what the thermostat does and how it works.

?????

RACE ON!!!

 

I understand how a thermostat works, thanks. Obviously a themostat can't hold water temp down if a radiator can't keep up. If it is cool enough outside a 160 will keep a motor from running over that temp. So YES a thermostat CAN keep a motor from running hotter.


Race on!!!

 

Research has proven that hotter metals wear less when rubbed together, as in rings running up and down in the cylindar bore. Anything below 180 degrees temp coolant accelerates engine wear. It has been proven over and over. This was first seen in marine engines where they simply cooled the engines with sea water. The sea water was too cold, and the engines wore out. Then they began heating the water first to bring the temp up. This led them to see that the water had to reach 180 before the engine life started being prolonged. Over 200 is the best if you can keep the water from boiling. That is the reason for pressurizing the system. Modern auto cooling systems run right on the ragged edge of boiling away for best efficiency. For this reason, if anything falls below spec, IE reduced radiator flow, etc, the system breaks down. I would try some "water wetter" to see if that will get you back in a safe operational range. Are you sure the stock parts are not just getting clogged?

 

WRONG!

In the above quote, you contradict yourself. In one breath you say, "Obviously a themostat can't hold water temp down if a radiator can't keep up." and in the next, you say, "If it is cool enough outside a 160 will keep a motor from running over that temp. So YES a thermostat CAN keep a motor from running hotter." Which is it? Are you saying that the stat controls whether it is "cool enough outside"???

The thermostat opens when the water reaches the stat's designed temperature. The temperature of the air has little or nothing to do with the stat opening. Once the stat is open...it's open. It's job is done. If the water temp tries to drop below the stat temp, the stat will close and allow the water to re-heat. The stat will maintain the minimum water temp. If the water temp rises above the stat opening point the stat does nothing. The stat CANNOT lower or help to lower the water temp.


Except for simply saying so, you have NOT demonstrated that you do understand how it works.

RACE ON!!!

 

alert.......

Wrong. Sorry, you apparently don't know how thermostats work.Show me a Chevy small block that runs at, or near 160 deg F during normal driving conditions, and then, and only then, does your premise hold water. If an engine runs at 205 deg F after warmup period, then the coolant flow rate from a 160 and 180 deg thermo. will both be identical. It is only during initial warmup of engine that the 160 thermo. will begin to open sooner than the 180. But after 5 or 10 minutes of driving, the flow characteristics are identical.

 

UH BS back to you. I have had a 160 in my vettes for the last 13 years and in the fall when the weather is around 40 degrees outside these cars do not run over 160. If you would like to take a trip here this fall I will show exactly how cool a motor runs in that weather.

CFI, you say I contridict myself, how so?
In the above quote, you contradict yourself. In one breath you say, "Obviously a themostat can't hold water temp down if a radiator can't keep up." and in the next, you say, "If it is cool enough outside a 160 will keep a motor from running over that temp. So YES a thermostat CAN keep a motor from running hotter." Which is it? Are you saying that the stat controls whether it is "cool enough outside"???


What is so hard to understand here? If it is a million degrees outside obviously the radiator cannot keep the liquid cool enough to allow the thermostat to close as the radiator cannot dispell the heat fast enough. If it is 0 degrees outside the coolant in the radiator will be cool enough so that when the stat opens it pours the coolant into the motor allowing it to cool enough below the 160 stats range so the stat closes. Thus the 160 stat WILL NOT LET A MOTOR HEAT TO OVER 160 DEGREES on cool days.

Damn you people really can't be this stupid, are you?


RACE ON!!

 

You quoted me TELLING you how. Do you both read AND comprehend? Either?
First you say, "themostat can't hold water temp down" and next you say, "If it is cool enough outside a 160 will keep a motor from running over that temp. So YES a thermostat CAN keep a motor from running hotter."

As I asked it my last post...WHICH IS IT???

If the outside were to be cool enough that the radiator can maintain the water temp at the thermostat temp, that is one thing. But it isn't the STAT keeping the temp down. The stat is keeping the temp UP. In air that cool, the stat MAKES the water reach the stat temp. If the stat were removed, the water wouldn't get even THAT hot. It isn't the 160* stat that keeps the water cool on a cold day, it is the air. If it weren't for the stat the water would stay cooler.

On the other hand, if when the stat opens and the air can't keep the water temp down to the stat temp, the stat has finished it's job, once it's open. After it opens at 160*, what's it going to do? Open again at 180*? And again at 195*? How does that keep the water temp any cooler?



Good question...Tell us?
It isn't the stat that won't allow the engine to heat beyond 160* How does an open stat control the water temp?

We aren't, but if the shoe fits...

RACE ON!!!

 

Seriously I don't think you are this stupid and are just arguing because that is something you like to do.

How does a thermostat keep water temp down? If it is cool enough the radiator will be able to keep the coolant at a low enough temp that the motor won't overpower the radiators ability to keep the coolant temp from going over 160.
Where did I say that the stat is keeping the water temp down? IF IT IS COOL ENOUGH OUTSIDE THAT THE RADIATOR CAN DISPELL THE HEAT FASTER THAN A MOTOR CAN PRODUCE IT A STAT WILL ONLY ALLOW THE MOTOR TO HEAT UP TO THAT TEMP.


So how are those shoes fitting you tonight?


Race on!!!?

 

I am not so much arguing as I am trying to help a misguided forum member. After my first post, you posted that I was "wrong", but you failed to point out as to WHAT I said was wrong or why. You are about to convince me that you ARE this stupid.



The thermostat DOESN'T keep the water temp down. The thermstat keeps the water temp UP! The flow of cool air through the radiator is what keeps the engine cool.



In the quote, in the last paragraph and in post #9, "So YES a thermostat CAN keep a motor from running hotter."

At the risk of repeating myself, which you claimed was wrong, the thermostat can only regulate how cool the engine runs. It has no control over how hot it runs.


???????????????????

RACE ON!!!

 

Like I said, you just argue to argue. Go out and get laid, it may release some pent up hostilities.


Race on!!!!

 

Years ago myself and many others thought if you had a problem with a
motor overheating we could just pull the thermostat out and because the coolant would be constantly running the loop it would keep it cool,
and thoughs were the days when fans ran constantly-WRONG! It may have taken a little longer for the engines to heat up-but did nothing to
control the temps after that point.Obviously outside temps, the load on engines do play a factor-most have witnessed temps being equal an engine may heat up while climbing a hill-but will cool on descent-like wise I'm sure most have at one point seen a car along side the road in freezing temps with the hood up and steam coming out do to over heating.160, 180 or anyother heat range thermostat MAY control what
temps an engine will reach ONLY if all components (fans, etc) are functioning properly, in conjunction with outside temps.

 

At least I know how to argue. When you make an incorrect statement, I quote it, and explain why it is wrong. You attacked me first. In post #4 you flat said my post #3 was wrong. But you made no attempt to say what it was about that post that was wrong. You keep saying that I am wrong, but you won't tell me why, or correct me.

I am convinced, at this point that YOU are the one that wants to perpetuate a conflict without basis. You have also convinced me that YOU are too stupid (your word and initial accusation) to not understand how the thermostat and cooling system work, but also not bright enough to listen to logic and facts. Good luck in your fantasy world.

RACE ON!!!

 

I thought perhaps you were responding to my post CFI-EFI, both of you should except the fact neither responses to the initial post were 100 percent accurate-and excuse me for saying so-but it does seem like your perpetuating an argument now!