160 thermostat
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 767
Likes: 1
From: Ponce Inlet FL
the don't make it run any cooler, it just opens the "thermostat" at 160 instead of 180-190. But, just because you open the flow at a lower temp does not mean the engine will not reach a higher temp like 225-230. Just my .02cents.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 11,760
Likes: 175
From: Rolla Missouri
2021 C4 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist
St. Jude Donor '10 thru '25
Same here in central Missouri.
Over 110k miles on my '96, and the factory thermostat works just fine.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,220
Likes: 446
From: Overland Park Kansas
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
Originally Posted by uptown193
My mechanic installed a 160 stat in my car and I think he said that it will make the fan to kick in sooner so the car will not heat up as much. You can call Chuck at COW and he will give you any information you need. All he does is Corvettes, well 96% at least.
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: North West PA
I made the switch to the 160* thermostat after I installed the electric water pump (33 GPM unit) just because I didn't like seeing my temp up around 200* at cruising speeds. Now, I realized when I did it that the LT1 engine had been designed to run hotter, but that didn't mean I couldn't change it if I wanted to tinker around with it, which I enjoy. Long story short, my cruising temps never get above about 176 - 179* these days, and I'm quite happy with that outcome. My around town, stop and go temps still get up enough to kick on the primary fan at 218*, but I don't mind. It's all in what you want guys, and everyone is different.
By the way, my unit is a Hypertech.
By the way, my unit is a Hypertech.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 877
Likes: 0
From: Broken Arrow Oklahoma
if you haven't altered your car from stock, then the factory t-stat is fine.
If you have modified it like I did with the chip, dual exhaust etc. you might have to change other things to make it run better.
the chip tuner told me to either run 91 or better octane or go to a 160 T-Stat, I do both.
If you have modified it like I did with the chip, dual exhaust etc. you might have to change other things to make it run better.
the chip tuner told me to either run 91 or better octane or go to a 160 T-Stat, I do both.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 4,659
Likes: 82
From: Toronto ontario
Here are the facts.
The RADIATOR and cooling system as a whole will determine how much heat can be removed from the system.
Some cars can run a 10 degree stat, and even if the fans came on at 20 degrees it still may warm up to 180 degrees and maintain it.
I Race my car on the freeways heavily. I want my car to run cooler on the freeway and at higher speeds so a 160 stat WORKS FOR ME. At speeds ABOVE 70 mph there is WAY MORE airflow going through the rad than any stupid tune and fan switch and fans can push and the cooler temps are MAINTAINED AT THOSE SPEEDS.
IMO running lower fan switches or having them tuned so they come on sooner will only cause more strain on the electrical system if its a daily driver as they will be on all the time trying to keep temps down.
For me, a 160 stat works GREAT.
The RADIATOR and cooling system as a whole will determine how much heat can be removed from the system.
Some cars can run a 10 degree stat, and even if the fans came on at 20 degrees it still may warm up to 180 degrees and maintain it.
I Race my car on the freeways heavily. I want my car to run cooler on the freeway and at higher speeds so a 160 stat WORKS FOR ME. At speeds ABOVE 70 mph there is WAY MORE airflow going through the rad than any stupid tune and fan switch and fans can push and the cooler temps are MAINTAINED AT THOSE SPEEDS.
IMO running lower fan switches or having them tuned so they come on sooner will only cause more strain on the electrical system if its a daily driver as they will be on all the time trying to keep temps down.
For me, a 160 stat works GREAT.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,220
Likes: 446
From: Overland Park Kansas
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
Here are the facts.
The RADIATOR and cooling system as a whole will determine how much heat can be removed from the system.
Some cars can run a 10 degree stat, and even if the fans came on at 20 degrees it still may warm up to 180 degrees and maintain it.
I Race my car on the freeways heavily. I want my car to run cooler on the freeway and at higher speeds so a 160 stat WORKS FOR ME. At speeds ABOVE 70 mph there is WAY MORE airflow going through the rad than any stupid tune and fan switch and fans can push and the cooler temps are MAINTAINED AT THOSE SPEEDS.
IMO running lower fan switches or having them tuned so they come on sooner will only cause more strain on the electrical system if its a daily driver as they will be on all the time trying to keep temps down.
For me, a 160 stat works GREAT.
The RADIATOR and cooling system as a whole will determine how much heat can be removed from the system.
Some cars can run a 10 degree stat, and even if the fans came on at 20 degrees it still may warm up to 180 degrees and maintain it.
I Race my car on the freeways heavily. I want my car to run cooler on the freeway and at higher speeds so a 160 stat WORKS FOR ME. At speeds ABOVE 70 mph there is WAY MORE airflow going through the rad than any stupid tune and fan switch and fans can push and the cooler temps are MAINTAINED AT THOSE SPEEDS.
IMO running lower fan switches or having them tuned so they come on sooner will only cause more strain on the electrical system if its a daily driver as they will be on all the time trying to keep temps down.
For me, a 160 stat works GREAT.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!
Brett Foote
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)
Joe Kucinski
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
A 160 stat in summer temperatures will be wide open and have NO effect on the coolant temperature. You would be just as well to not even have a thermostat in your engine because the coolant temperature will settle at the same temperature with and without a thermostat.
Lower opening temperature thermostats can only lower the coolant temperature IF the radiator can get rid of heat fast enough and this isn't possible in the summer time. Thermostats insure the minimum temperature your coolant will be and they have NO effect on the temperature above their opening temperature!!!
Lower opening temperature thermostats can only lower the coolant temperature IF the radiator can get rid of heat fast enough and this isn't possible in the summer time. Thermostats insure the minimum temperature your coolant will be and they have NO effect on the temperature above their opening temperature!!!