LT4 stock thermostat
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 4,010
Likes: 26
From: Somewhere nowhere
Re: LT4 stock thermostat (No Go)
so on an otherwise stock LT4, if I throw in a 160degree stat, it would run 180 on the highway??
then I assume it would run up to 200+ sitting in traffic waiting for the fans to come on.......
anybody do this to a stock LT4?
then I assume it would run up to 200+ sitting in traffic waiting for the fans to come on.......
anybody do this to a stock LT4?
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,198
Likes: 2
From: Northern CA
Re: LT4 stock thermostat (larryfs)
More like low/mid-170s on the freeway (digital readout). I tried it.
In traffic you can always turn on the A/C to kick the fans on. Not as good as reprogramming but gets the job done.
In traffic you can always turn on the A/C to kick the fans on. Not as good as reprogramming but gets the job done.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 22,267
Likes: 3
From: Dallas TX
Re: LT4 stock thermostat (RichS)
Check your radiator and condenser for garbage. Look on the pass side between the 2 with a flashlight. It's prolly full of crud.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 4,010
Likes: 26
From: Somewhere nowhere
Re: LT4 stock thermostat
Jason, your LT4 is otherwise stock??
My wire harnesses by the rear axle/ exhaust melted !!. and my car runs 205 which isn't too bad considering. and my raditor is pretty clean, not perfect, but accpetable. so I'd love to see 20 degrees cooler from a simple thermostat change.
[Modified by larryfs, 1:57 AM 10/7/2002]
My wire harnesses by the rear axle/ exhaust melted !!. and my car runs 205 which isn't too bad considering. and my raditor is pretty clean, not perfect, but accpetable. so I'd love to see 20 degrees cooler from a simple thermostat change.
[Modified by larryfs, 1:57 AM 10/7/2002]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,198
Likes: 2
From: Northern CA
Re: LT4 stock thermostat (larryfs)
Yeah, the powertrain is otherwise stock. I did the 160 w/ stock programming first....then a few weeks later did the HPP.
As a reference, with the stock 180 it ran about 190-195 on the freeway. So yeah, it drops about 20 deg.
As a reference, with the stock 180 it ran about 190-195 on the freeway. So yeah, it drops about 20 deg.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 3,418
Likes: 1
From: NW Chicago Suburbs
Re: LT4 stock thermostat (larryfs)
so on an otherwise stock LT4, if I throw in a 160degree stat, it would run 180 on the highway??
then I assume it would run up to 200+ sitting in traffic waiting for the fans to come on.......
anybody do this to a stock LT4?
then I assume it would run up to 200+ sitting in traffic waiting for the fans to come on.......
anybody do this to a stock LT4?
It doesn't hurt to put in a 160* t-stat without reprogramming the PCM, but it won't make your Vette run cooler unless you're on the highway and the outside air is below 50*.
Eric
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,946
Likes: 63
From: Marianna FL
Re: LT4 stock thermostat (silver & red CE)
It doesn't hurt to put in a 160* t-stat without reprogramming the PCM, but it won't make your Vette run cooler unless you're on the highway and the outside air is below 50*.
Eric
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 3,524
Likes: 1
From: Pinellas Florida Misfit
Cruise-In III Veteran
Re: LT4 stock thermostat (Mr Dave)
My stock LT4 see's right around 195 on the highways in the very hot weather of florida... crusing around town without the AC on and the temps go up to 220+ easily. Turn the AC on and it stays at 212.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 744
Likes: 1
From: Houston Tx
Re: LT4 stock thermostat (Springer's LT4)
I see the same here in HOT Houston......my radiator had a ton of stuff in it when I got the car.
As for the 160 deg therm. I wonder just how much good it actually is. Do you want the car running under 180 degrees? Otherwise , therm will open sooner and keep it cooler for a bit longer, but in our heat , I am assuming it would eventually get to about the same running temps described above anyway. Now fans coming on earlier definitely would keep the car from the really high temps they can get to (220+). :seeya
As for the 160 deg therm. I wonder just how much good it actually is. Do you want the car running under 180 degrees? Otherwise , therm will open sooner and keep it cooler for a bit longer, but in our heat , I am assuming it would eventually get to about the same running temps described above anyway. Now fans coming on earlier definitely would keep the car from the really high temps they can get to (220+). :seeya
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 6,097
Likes: 2
From: Cincinnati Oh
Re: LT4 stock thermostat (larryfs)
I did mine when it was still stock and did the tb bypass at the same time. I was seeing avg temps at 200 - 210. Then I saw highway temps at ~180, and temp climbed slower in traffic, but still went up till the fans kicked on. I also added a bottle of water wetter stuff. So I saw a noticeable difference without yet reprog the fans.
