Thermastat '85
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 995
Likes: 1
From: Naples Campania
I did have a 165 (if I remember correctly) way too cold. I have a 180 now, seems to be good.
It kinda depends on what you are doing with the car and what you have done to it. Higher grade fuel, higher compression and all that fun stuff can make your car run hotter. Putting a lower thermostat in will help make sure that your coolant doesn't come even close to boiling temp.
Too cold makes your car run rich and you lose power and fuel economy.
It kinda depends on what you are doing with the car and what you have done to it. Higher grade fuel, higher compression and all that fun stuff can make your car run hotter. Putting a lower thermostat in will help make sure that your coolant doesn't come even close to boiling temp.
Too cold makes your car run rich and you lose power and fuel economy.
Drifting
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,428
Likes: 7
From: Chewelah Wa
My theory on this is that the thermostat opening temp is picked by GM engineers to best fit (where it is actually controlling water flow) with the cooling capacity of the rest of the system to help maintain a certain (consistent) temp. 215-225 is my guess. If you put in a lower temp thermostat, it will only stay at that temp TEMPorarily on its way to it's designed temp parameter, or when it is cool enough outside to keep it lower. In other words, the temp the fans come on, radiator efficiency, (how clean it is inside and out, this is a biggie IMO) outside air temp has more to do with the temp your car will run at than when the thermostat opens. When the thermostat is all the way open, it has no more control of the temp. This is a very controversial subject on this forum, this is strictly my opinion based on my experience, with my car. I have a 185 stat w/ 2 eighth inch holes drilled, stock radiator, adjustable fan temp control (main fan comes on at 205, secondary fan at stock setting). My car on the hottest day runs from about 190-215. The secondary fan never runs. cool days (below 70) 180-195
Last edited by powerpigz-51; Sep 23, 2011 at 02:24 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,153
Likes: 1,731
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
My opinion on the 160/180 debate is on my webpage, click my name.
But to answer your question, 195 is the stock setting.
But to answer your question, 195 is the stock setting.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,075
Likes: 109
From: Longmont Co
A lower rated thermostat will mess up your vehicles heater efficiency, but make no difference at all in hot/summer temperatures, except in very rare circumstances. Everyone disagrees on this issue, but IMO best to stay with stock.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4,328
Likes: 15
From: Jacksonville FL
If you put in a lower temp thermostat, it will only stay at that temp TEMPorarily on its way to it's designed temp parameter, or when it is cool enough outside to keep it lower. In other words, the temp the fans come on, radiator efficiency, (how clean it is inside and out, this is a biggie IMO) outside air temp has more to do with the temp your car will run at than when the thermostat opens. When the thermostat is all the way open, it has no more control of the temp.
In 90* ambients, 85 car typically runs about 180-190 with a 160* stat but when air temps are cooler the car runs much lower than that. The 160* keeps temps up where my OD will work. I notice no difference in performance or mileage.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
Thanks for the replys..
Gonna stick with the 195. Is there a way to tell what temp thermastat is currently installed?
Powerpigz, which fan is secondary in front of radiator or behind? Never seen the front fan come on, fan behind radiator (near engine) comes on about 222 degrees.
Gonna stick with the 195. Is there a way to tell what temp thermastat is currently installed?
Powerpigz, which fan is secondary in front of radiator or behind? Never seen the front fan come on, fan behind radiator (near engine) comes on about 222 degrees.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4,328
Likes: 15
From: Jacksonville FL
Thanks for the replys..
Gonna stick with the 195. Is there a way to tell what temp thermastat is currently installed?
Powerpigz, which fan is secondary in front of radiator or behind? Never seen the front fan come on, fan behind radiator (near engine) comes on about 222 degrees.
Gonna stick with the 195. Is there a way to tell what temp thermastat is currently installed?
Powerpigz, which fan is secondary in front of radiator or behind? Never seen the front fan come on, fan behind radiator (near engine) comes on about 222 degrees.
Drifting
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,428
Likes: 7
From: Chewelah Wa
The primary is behind the radiator.....secondary in front. Secondary comes on at 238. You can change these settings in the chip if you have a chip burner as well as the "hysteresis" which is when they shut back off. I have a variable fan switch on mine, I can set the fan turn on temp to anything I want. 13 bucks at JC Whitney.
