160 degree thermostat needs a chip?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,118
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From: West Palm Beach Florida
160 degree thermostat needs a chip?
Hey. I just bought a 160 degree thermostat and my mechanic told me that I should get a chip installed as well. Reason being that on very hot days the car could end up running hotter than before. Does this make any sense? I don't remember the exact reason why but maybe somebody here does.
Thanks
Thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 7,858
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Re: 160 degree thermostat needs a chip? (Sal Collaziano)
Well, I don't know about the "hotter than before" part, but the concept is to get the radiator's cooling fans to activate at a lower temperature than the stock activation coolant temperature which I think is around 230 F. On the go with air moving the car will run cooler w/ the 160 t-stat, but in traffic at stoplights, etc., without the fans coming on the coolant will heat up until the fans kick on.
I think there are fan activation switches available that you can get for much less than the cost of a new chip. Order a free Eckler's catalog, they have some in there for '88 'Vettes I think (maybe, could be, possibly).
I think there are fan activation switches available that you can get for much less than the cost of a new chip. Order a free Eckler's catalog, they have some in there for '88 'Vettes I think (maybe, could be, possibly).
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 7,858
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Re: 160 degree thermostat needs a chip? (Lone Ranger)
Hey Sal, you also might pour in some Redline Water Wetter. See the thread this forum for a discussion. Most report about an 8 F coolant temp drop with it. Even though i used a turkey baster to pull 12oz of coolant out of the high side tank (radiator) most of my Wetter still went into the lowside recovery (overflow) tank :cry But I think as the car goes through heat-up and cool-down cylces with driving and parking overnight that the stuff will eventually mix into the rest of my coolant, I hope. :yesnod:
[Modified by Lone Ranger, 1:47 PM 4/20/2002]
[Modified by Lone Ranger, 1:47 PM 4/20/2002]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 3,418
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From: NW Chicago Suburbs
Re: 160 degree thermostat needs a chip? (Sal Collaziano)
...on very hot days the car could end up running hotter than before. Does this make any sense?
Eric
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: 160 degree thermostat needs a chip? (Sal Collaziano)
Since you have the Z52 option you have an aux fan in front of the radiator. Now the ECM controls the main fan; the aux fan relay (in the block between #1 & #3 spark plugs) controls the aux fan.
Install a 160 deg aux fan sw and jumper the grn/wht wire from it to the main fan relay's grn/wht wire. This will allow the aux fan sw to turn on both fans; see my C4 Tech Tip for details.
Install a 160 deg aux fan sw and jumper the grn/wht wire from it to the main fan relay's grn/wht wire. This will allow the aux fan sw to turn on both fans; see my C4 Tech Tip for details.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Concord NC
Re: 160 degree thermostat needs a chip? (Sal Collaziano)
Pro
Joined: Nov 2000
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From: Scranton PA
Re: 160 degree thermostat needs a chip? (Sal Collaziano)
I like the Ed Wright fastchip, gives me a bit more performance and kicks the fans on at 183 and off at 170.. also it's very easy to pop in the chip vs running wire for a switch..
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Re: 160 degree thermostat needs a chip? (Paul T)
no you dont need a chip for it, but its a good idea to do so to get your fans to come on earlier
I will be doing what 65Z01 said, as i'm gonna wait until some mods are on before gettin Ed to burn me a chip
I will be doing what 65Z01 said, as i'm gonna wait until some mods are on before gettin Ed to burn me a chip
Le Mans Master
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From: Kyle TX (Because Mojo Made me fill it in)
Re: 160 degree thermostat needs a chip? (vader86)
Isnt there a small problem with the AUX fan switch trick. The switch does not know how fast you are driving. Meaning....if you are driving 75mph your fan is on. Also even with a 160* stat, your coolant temp will be higher then 160* or there would be no need to have a 160* stat. This means that your fan is running ALL the time (not a good thing, wears out the fan faster) or am I missing a part of this? Plus, the AUX fan is in front of the condenser, that small fan doesnt do a whole lot compared to the main cooling fan next to the radiator pulling heat off the radiator. Right?
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Re: 160 degree thermostat needs a chip? (VetteNoob)
Isnt there a small problem with the AUX fan switch trick. The switch does not know how fast you are driving. Meaning....if you are driving 75mph your fan is on. Also even with a 160* stat, your coolant temp will be higher then 160* or there would be no need to have a 160* stat. This means that your fan is running ALL the time (not a good thing, wears out the fan faster) or am I missing a part of this? Plus, the AUX fan is in front of the condenser, that small fan doesnt do a whole lot compared to the main cooling fan next to the radiator pulling heat off the radiator. Right?
