C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

Lower temp T-stat recommendations please

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Old Apr 26, 2011 | 02:18 PM
  #61  
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Originally Posted by 5abivt


Nice catch with the tires. Direction means almost nothing when it isn't wet. I think I had 2 plugs in that tire too should have seen the bulge after! I'll stop posting so this doesn't get too far off topic.
WOW!!!!!! You are stupid enough to admit to having a directional front tire on backwards with 2 plugs in it after talking about speeding on the interstate. WOW!!!!!
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Old Apr 26, 2011 | 04:19 PM
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Originally Posted by muzikmanwi
WOW!!!!!! You are stupid enough to admit to having a directional front tire on backwards with 2 plugs in it after talking about speeding on the interstate. WOW!!!!!
He probably used high speed plugs, so its ok.......WW
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Old Apr 26, 2011 | 05:11 PM
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Actually my tire guy said to take them to a truck repair place and I did; they used a heavy duty plug and said it would be fine.
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Old Apr 26, 2011 | 05:29 PM
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Originally Posted by 5abivt
Actually my tire guy said to take them to a truck repair place and I did; they used a heavy duty plug and said it would be fine.
Your tire guy is an idiot if you told him that you were driving around at 100+ (I'm not even going to go to the 200+ claim). A plug is ok at highway speeds. A plug is not fine at the speeds you are claiming. Period. I don't care how heavy duty somebody might say it is. The fact that you followed it up by laughing about a bulge in the tires speaks for itself.

I wouldn't think it would take a whole lot of expertise to figure out that a bulging tire might not be safe at high speed.
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Old Apr 26, 2011 | 08:13 PM
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you guys are so much fun
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Old Apr 26, 2011 | 11:52 PM
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Old Apr 27, 2011 | 12:15 AM
  #67  
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Originally Posted by 84cfi
Why don't you get a manual fan switch and and if that's not enough put in a 160 stat.
A 160 F thermostat won't do anything! The 195 stat is already wide open and the coolant temp is above 195 in slow summer driving. A 160 stat will also be wide open and the coolant temp will be the same temp as it is with the 195 stat. Thermostats will ONLY set the minimum temperature your coolant will run at, they have no effect whatsoever on the coolant temperature when it is above the opening temp of the thermostat.
Why is this so hard to understand for so many people?
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Old Apr 27, 2011 | 02:41 AM
  #68  
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Originally Posted by jfb
A 160 F thermostat won't do anything! The 195 stat is already wide open and the coolant temp is above 195 in slow summer driving. A 160 stat will also be wide open and the coolant temp will be the same temp as it is with the 195 stat. Thermostats will ONLY set the minimum temperature your coolant will run at, they have no effect whatsoever on the coolant temperature when it is above the opening temp of the thermostat.
Why is this so hard to understand for so many people?
You have explained it perfectly.

Now if some here will read and absorb the info......

Maybe start a new thread titled "160 T-Stat won't drop your running temp"

Then let the fireworks begin......
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Old Apr 27, 2011 | 07:20 AM
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What was my question?
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Old Apr 27, 2011 | 08:45 AM
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Originally Posted by RED UFO
What was my question?
I'm sorry. Who are you again?

I think you have your answer by now, right?
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Old Apr 27, 2011 | 09:14 AM
  #71  
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Originally Posted by JrRifleCoach
You have explained it perfectly.
Now if some here will read and absorb the info......

Maybe start a new thread titled "160 T-Stat won't drop your running temp"

Then let the fireworks begin......
...yes but please explain why my LT4 when stock with 160 stat and Hypertech programming NEVER went above 176 over about a 10 year period.

My fans are now programmed to come on at 190 and off at 180.....max temperature since this reprogram is about 196.....so I suspect the radiator is either dirty on the outside, very common, or maybe needs a flush to clean up the inside..

So yes a thermostat alone won't drop running temps, but based on my experience, the LT4 cooling system when in a new condition can utilize a 160 stat and realize the benefits of running at a cooler temperatue..

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Old Apr 27, 2011 | 09:18 AM
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Originally Posted by GREGGPENN
I think you have your answer by now, right?
Of course he does.

When driving your C4 at 300+ miles per kilometer with reversed directional tires filled with plugs and what you think might be an LT1 you should use a 160 Tstat. Maybe.

Originally Posted by jfb
A 160 F thermostat won't do anything! The 195 stat is already wide open and the coolant temp is above 195 in slow summer driving. A 160 stat will also be wide open and the coolant temp will be the same temp as it is with the 195 stat. Thermostats will ONLY set the minimum temperature your coolant will run at, they have no effect whatsoever on the coolant temperature when it is above the opening temp of the thermostat.
Why is this so hard to understand for so many people?
Because it seems like way too many people on here who are giving advice have no idea what a thermostat actually does or how the cooling system actually works.

This topic is like arguing with a 6 year old. No amount of logic or fact is going to work. People think what they think because somewhere along the way some "expert" told them the same line of crap (usually when selling them a thermostat).

Originally Posted by LT4BUD
...yes but please explain why my LT4 when stock with 160 stat and Hypertech programming NEVER went above 176 over about a 10 year period.

...can utilize a 160 stat and realize the benefits of running at a cooler temperatue..
There is no benefit to running at 176 degrees. In fact, it is a bad thing if it never gets hotter than that.

The intent of having a thermostat in the system in the first place is to RAISE the temperature... not to lower it. It is there for a reason.

Last edited by RedLS1GTO; Apr 27, 2011 at 09:23 AM.
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Old Apr 27, 2011 | 09:31 AM
  #73  
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Originally Posted by RedLS1GTO
Of course he does.

When driving your C4 at 300+ miles per kilometer with reversed directional tires filled with plugs and what you think might be an LT1 you should use a 160 Tstat. Maybe.



Because it seems like way too many people on here who are giving advice have no idea what a thermostat actually does or how the cooling system actually works.

This topic is like arguing with a 6 year old. No amount of logic or fact is going to work. People think what they think because somewhere along the way some "expert" told them the same line of crap (usually when selling them a thermostat).



There is no benefit to running at 176 degrees. In fact, it is a bad thing if it never gets hotter than that.

The intent of having a thermostat in the system in the first place is to RAISE the temperature... not to lower it. It is there for a reason.
AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Old Apr 27, 2011 | 09:33 AM
  #74  
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I know for a fact replacing the stock radiator with a new stock unit will help with the temps. Can be had for about 100$. That Will help.
My old unit looked fine but must have had buildup inside, new one helped about 10 degrees.
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Old Apr 27, 2011 | 09:40 AM
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Devils Advocate here:
1st, i think the whole idea of the 160 stat was to allow the fans to be turned on/off at lower temps. Lower than the 195 stat allowed. I really do believe it was just so we could get our engine coolant as cool as possible for drag racing only. I mean, if your fans could be turned on at 185, vice 2** depending on your year Vette, then you could theoretically run your engine cooler and run more timing etc etc. I dont think it has anything to do with running around town at a cooler temp or on the highway. Mine runs 168-174 on the highway, and 190-205 in city. But I run a 160 stat and BeCool radiator with 3.75 gears and 2800 stall.
2nd, Tires and Plugs. This is going to be a little tougher as I am a advocate against plugging a tire. I wrote Michelin years ago about plugging/patching tires. All I can say is the package of material they sent me said you will not lose your speed rating, unless you use a rubber plug. They even drilled the sidewall, repaired it and did some testing and no loss of tire integrity.
Thats all I got to say.
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Old Apr 27, 2011 | 09:42 AM
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Originally Posted by GREGGPENN
I'm sorry. Who are you again?

I think you have your answer by now, right?
I think so.

Since my original post I have lowered my temp to 140, installed 3 aluminum radiators stacked together, rebuilt the engine, put a custom paint job on the car, and sold the car at the Mekum auction for $85,000. This forum has so much information. LMAO
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Old Apr 27, 2011 | 09:49 AM
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I ended up installing a 180 T stat and purchace the fan kit from Mid America. I am just triyng to keep it cool when stuck in traffic on a 85+ degree day. If this doesnt work I will look in to the radiator upgrade. Now lets all move on.
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Old Apr 27, 2011 | 09:56 AM
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Originally Posted by Charleston2012
2nd, Tires and Plugs. This is going to be a little tougher as I am a advocate against plugging a tire. I wrote Michelin years ago about plugging/patching tires. All I can say is the package of material they sent me said you will not lose your speed rating, unless you use a rubber plug. They even drilled the sidewall, repaired it and did some testing and no loss of tire integrity.
Thats all I got to say.
I've seen multiple tires that were repaired correctly, by people who know what they are doing, catastrophically fail on a track at speed.

Plugged tires for "normal" driving = no problem at all. I drove around for 30,000 miles with a plugged tire in my Z06.

Plugged tire at the speeds that he claimed (racing down the highway at 180, 200+ at an airstrip.. .) = no way.

The extra kicker in the whole thing is that he claimed that the tire was bulging at the plugs. You have to be to drive that at any speed.

Last edited by RedLS1GTO; Apr 27, 2011 at 09:59 AM.
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Old Apr 27, 2011 | 09:58 AM
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Originally Posted by RED UFO
I ended up installing a 180 T stat and purchace the fan kit from Mid America. I am just triyng to keep it cool when stuck in traffic on a 85+ degree day. If this doesnt work I will look in to the radiator upgrade. Now lets all move on.


You chose wisely.
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Old Apr 27, 2011 | 02:25 PM
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Originally Posted by RedLS1GTO
I've seen multiple tires that were repaired correctly, by people who know what they are doing, catastrophically fail on a track at speed.

Plugged tires for "normal" driving = no problem at all. I drove around for 30,000 miles with a plugged tire in my Z06.

Plugged tire at the speeds that he claimed (racing down the highway at 180, 200+ at an airstrip.. .) = no way.

The extra kicker in the whole thing is that he claimed that the tire was bulging at the plugs. You have to be to drive that at any speed.
I would not even let my wife drive to the store with bulges on our tires. Just took tires off car, took them to tire store, replaced them. Simple.
I was just stating a point from what Michelin stated. They literally took a hole saw to the sidewall, fixed it and drove. But, closed course, with professional driver too.
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