thermostat change?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 515
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From: HAMILTON OH
thermostat change?
I have also heard a lot of talk of thermostat changes as a Mod......
1. what gains come from this?
2. what, if anything, else do you have to do when you change the thermostat?
Thanks in advance :thumbs:
1. what gains come from this?
2. what, if anything, else do you have to do when you change the thermostat?
Thanks in advance :thumbs:
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: thermostat change? (toondaddy)
A lower temp stat will lower engine temps and result in more HP.
To maintain lower temps in traffic you will need a fan sw to bring the fans on earlier.
To maintain lower temps in traffic you will need a fan sw to bring the fans on earlier.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,705
Likes: 5
From: OKC Oklahoma
Re: thermostat change? (toondaddy)
it should lower the temp of the coolant entering the engine...right??? i'm also interested in this as i just ordered one yesterday b/c i am tired of running so hot. :lurk:
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: thermostat change? (_freakmonkeydogboy_)
Indeed a 160deg F stat will drop the coolant temp of a L98 about 30deg F or so.
Another good R&R for efficient cooling is to clean debris from between the radiator and the A/C condenser.
Another good R&R for efficient cooling is to clean debris from between the radiator and the A/C condenser.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,142
Likes: 1,729
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Re: thermostat change? (toondaddy)
My LT1 does not run hot......will a 160 stat still make a big (30 degree)difference? And if I change the stat, will the car run hot in traffic?
A better modification for you would be a fan switch, especially if you do alot of city driving. The car will still run hot in heavy traffic, but it will take a while longer to do so. So if you were in town for 20-30min, it would still get very warm, maybe not quite as hot as it once did but still pretty warm. Whereas if you were seeing 235F after 10min of city driving, you would not be as likely to see it with the 160 installed.
All you have to do is make sure you dont get coolant on your optispark, and remember to burp the system if you change the stat. (burping-let it warm up to stat temp with rad cap off, and refill when it drops)
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 13,356
Likes: 0
From: tucson AZ
St. Jude Donor '04 & '05
Re: thermostat change? (toondaddy)
I agree with all the posts....except to get the best use you should change the chip.......and the fan switch.....to complete the job....
This is what I did....Hope it helps you...
tony
:flag
This is what I did....Hope it helps you...
tony
:flag
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
Re: thermostat change? (toondaddy)
Above 35 mph when higher air flow through the radiator provides high heat transfer from the radiator, a 160 stat will likely keep coolant temps close to 160, but even with the fan on and sitting at a light or below 35 mph, your coolant temps will be the same as with your 180 stat. Any horsepower gain by running coolant at 160 is primarily in the mind of the user. During one long posting about 160 stats a while ago, one CFer ran his C4 on a dyno with the 180 stat and then with a 160 and there was no difference in hp. Running automobile engines at 160 is too low and increases cylinder wall wear.
I got better temperature control by installing a switch to force the fan on and cleaning my radiator fins and by installing a Stewart water pump.
I got better temperature control by installing a switch to force the fan on and cleaning my radiator fins and by installing a Stewart water pump.
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Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
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From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Re: thermostat change? (jfb)
oh boy, another thermostat thread!
Your vette (assuming your cooling system are in good shape) uses both the thermostat and the fan to control operating temps. GM's goal is to keep your coolant temp between 195 and 225. If the coolant is below 195, the thermostat is closed, so coolant flow is restricted, allowing the engine to heat up faster. If the coolant is above 225, the fan comes on to cool off the coolant, which cools the engine down.
Basically, your minimum operating temp is determined by the thermostat, and your hot idle temp is determined by the fan setting.
Drilled thermostats are a trade off... they increase your cars maximum cooling capacity, but severly hamper your cars ability to reach operating temp when its cold outside. (the thermostat is shut to try and let the engine heat up, but alll that coolant is bypassing it and keeping the engine too cold)
The thermostat rating in no way affects your hot idle temps.
A new chip OR a fan switch will help your hot idle temps, you only need one though, not both.
[Modified by CentralCoaster, 5:13 AM 4/9/2003]
Your vette (assuming your cooling system are in good shape) uses both the thermostat and the fan to control operating temps. GM's goal is to keep your coolant temp between 195 and 225. If the coolant is below 195, the thermostat is closed, so coolant flow is restricted, allowing the engine to heat up faster. If the coolant is above 225, the fan comes on to cool off the coolant, which cools the engine down.
Basically, your minimum operating temp is determined by the thermostat, and your hot idle temp is determined by the fan setting.
Drilled thermostats are a trade off... they increase your cars maximum cooling capacity, but severly hamper your cars ability to reach operating temp when its cold outside. (the thermostat is shut to try and let the engine heat up, but alll that coolant is bypassing it and keeping the engine too cold)
The thermostat rating in no way affects your hot idle temps.
A new chip OR a fan switch will help your hot idle temps, you only need one though, not both.
[Modified by CentralCoaster, 5:13 AM 4/9/2003]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 7,858
Likes: 2
Re: thermostat change? (jfb)
Running automobile engines at 160 is too low and increases cylinder wall wear.
Also, the coolant temp does not run 160, for same reason as it doesn't run 180 with a 180 stat. With a 180 stat the temp runs around 192 - 194 going down the road with a reasonably clean radiator. With the 160 stat same scenario runs coolant temp high 170's.
Oil temp is the more accurate measure of actual internal engine temps. in summer with the 160 stat and fan programming my oil temps run 195 - 205, range, and around 180 - 190 in winter.
[Modified by Lone Ranger, 8:33 AM 4/9/2003]
