Will simply changing my thermostat help cool the engine, I bought a 160 degree sat and don't know if installing it now will help. Or do I need to buy the device to reset the temps the fans come on? Are there any other simple mods that I can do to get the temps down?
Thanks
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I've installed the 160 in my 94 without reprogramming and here is what I found.

When it's very cold outside or if you are cruising down the highway you will notice that the car is running cooler. Mine runs around 180-185 or so, once in awhile it gets to the high 170's.

If you do alot of stop and go in traffic or drive where it's warm you might notice it taking longer to get really warm but it will still get to the higher temps and run the fans like normal.

Will it help? I think changing the stat helps a little. Would I reprogram to make the fans come on lower? I haven't and really don't plan on it. If it's that hot outside I'll have the A/C on which makes the fans come on earlier anyway. People are split as to whether running cooler temps help or hurt engines. I just can't fathom that running at the high temps we do, and requiring "special" oil be used, that it's any good for the motor.

I think that getting the car into the 180 range is helpful and if it should run into the 200+ design limit occasionally I'm not going to worry about it. Just my .02, there are many more opinions out there ;)

Good luck in whatever you decide

 

I have personally found on my car that the combination of the 160 stat and reprogramming of the fans and a thorough cleaning of the radiator has cooled my engine off considerably. Before my changes/cleaning my car ran in the 205 range in the city and 195 range on the highway. After the changes my car will run about 185 in the city and as low as175 going down the highway in cool weather.. if it is really hot outside you It will rise up to about 190 but never more.. and my fans programmed to go on at 180. I believe that most of this can be credited to taking the rad out of the car and thoroughly cleaning it. these cars are getting old now and the design of the intake to the rad just sucks things up. i had plastic bags, twigs, etc..

I believe that if you do all three, stat, reprogram of fans, and clean out rad, your engine will run cooler

Just my .02

good luck

 

My 92 LT1 Coupe has a 160 degree T-Stat. I run an aftermarket chip that turns the fan on at 180 degrees. My temps run the same as what the previous poster says his does. Unfortunately, you can't just plug in a chip ~ you will have to re-program. Yes, running the AC will force the fans to run, and here in the Valley I run AC just about year round ~~~ but those times that I want to go to the mountains I am glad that I have my fan temps set lower.

:seeya Purp

 

I have the 160 thremostat. My fans are programmed to come on at 175 and they essentially don't go off until you turn the car off. Once the fans come on, the temp stays at 173. I have very little variance unless I am pushing the car hard (autox). I have not run in the summer yet but with the 90+ temps we have around here, I would expect the temp to go up a little bit.

I have been told that LT1's like to be cold for more power. When I dynoed last fall at MTI, my rwhp was at 263 with the temp 206. The guy told me that he would expect as much as 10 rwhp if I had been running in the 180's. This is the reason I got the chip. I have also noticed that my gas mileage is higher with the higher temp. With stock fan settings and the stock thermostat, I would get 27-28 mpg on the highway. Now I get 25-26. I know it was the temp setting because when I went back to the higher setting my gas mileage went back up.

 

Thanks for the opinions guys, think I'll install the stat now and then reprogram fan activation temps
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I installed a 160 stat with every intention of having the ECM reprogrammed to turn the fans on sooner. After installing the stat, the car never gets over 195 and generally runs in the high 170's to mid 180's. Before I did this, it was run as hot as 226-228...and that scared me. I have come to conclusion that my original thermostat was getting old and not opening when it should have. Sometimes, I feel hotter would be better and am considering putting in a 180 stat to run a little hotter...but for now, I'll stick with the 160.

I gotta say...the car has 102K on it and burns no oil and runs great...and it always ran hot until I got it! That says something about the higher temps and the Mobil 1.