160 degree thermostat
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Maryville IL
160 degree thermostat
Anyone running a 160 degree thermostat with no other mods. I recently added a new cooling swith, on 200 off 185. Fan obviously runs alot. Car runs 184 at cruise goes up to 200 quickly at idle. Fan kicks on fine, doesn't like to kick off until about 175. 180 degree thermostat makes it difficult to get there. I have new waterpump, radiator, thermostat, cooling switch and flush and filled antifreeze this weekend. I am not concerned at the temps the car runs. Oil gets to 220 at steady highway cruise. Just wanted to know if anyone else was running 160 stat with no mods and no problems. :confused:
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,648
Likes: 1
From: Denham Springs Louisiana
Re: 160 degree thermostat (85loub)
I'm running a 160 degree thermostat and the only thing I have really done is reprogram the computer with the Hypertech Power Programmer III. Instead of an actual switch, the computer now cuts the fan on earlier. I have never over heated since I have done this. In other words, I can't foresee a problem if you put in a 160 degree stat.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,049
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Re: 160 degree thermostat (85loub)
You'll see no issues running it alone. Your fans won't turn on sooner though (like the programmers provide you with), but just putting a new temp guage in there won't hurt anything :cheers: done it many times.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
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From: The Top of Utah
Re: 160 degree thermostat (85loub)
Your operating temps are great. Get a fan switch that turns in and off at higher temps. Maybe on at 210 to 220, and off at 195 to 205. All you are doing now is putting unnecessary wear and tear on your fan motor. You probably won't notice any immediate problems with a cooler stat, but the lower operating temps and prolonged warm up will take a slow steady toll on your engine. If you don't need cooler temps for a specific reason, such as max effort while racing, stay away.
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Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,146
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From: Athens AL
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Re: 160 degree thermostat (85loub)
I run a 160 and have reprogrammed fans, my oil wont get to 220 except during summer with AC on.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
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From: The Top of Utah
Re: 160 degree thermostat (vader86)
I run a 160 and have reprogrammed fans, my oil wont get to 220 except during summer with AC on.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
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From: Delray Beach FL
Re: 160 degree thermostat (89Corvette6spdFX3)
:cry I need to get my 160 installed ASAP. Dealership put in a 180 the last time I had the waterpump replaced (End of last year). Now with the warmer temps getting closer, I need to get it in to run cooler!! Thanks for reminding me!
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Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
Re: 160 degree thermostat (85loub)
A 160 stat will have the same coolant temps at idle as your 180 stat!!!!!
At cruise speed your coolant temp will be lower than with your 180 stat and IC engines shouldn't run 160 at cruise, its too low! Your temps with your 180 stat are normal and not too hot and you will gain nothing with a 160 stat in place.
At cruise speed your coolant temp will be lower than with your 180 stat and IC engines shouldn't run 160 at cruise, its too low! Your temps with your 180 stat are normal and not too hot and you will gain nothing with a 160 stat in place.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 285
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From: Loganville Ga
Re: 160 degree thermostat (85loub)
I am hoping someone can clarify something for me. Why would the warm up period for a 160 stat be any difference that a 180? Seems to me that since it doesn't actually do anything until you reach the operating temp of that partucular thermostat, the time to reach 160 degress would be the same for both. The difference being the higher rated thermostat keeps going after that.
Also, since a car doesn't actually run at the temp rating of the stat, that is just where it starts to open, why would it cause extra engine wear? I had a 180 stat and ran 201 degress consistently. Now that I have a 160 stat and a chip programmed to turn the fans on earlier, I run 184 degrees but I didn't notice it taking any longer to get to 180. Isn't this hot enough to burn off any moisture?
Thanks for any info you guys may have!
Also, since a car doesn't actually run at the temp rating of the stat, that is just where it starts to open, why would it cause extra engine wear? I had a 180 stat and ran 201 degress consistently. Now that I have a 160 stat and a chip programmed to turn the fans on earlier, I run 184 degrees but I didn't notice it taking any longer to get to 180. Isn't this hot enough to burn off any moisture?
Thanks for any info you guys may have!
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,277
Likes: 1
From: Santa Maria CA
Re: 160 degree thermostat (purplemajesty)
purplem. a 160 isnt' that bad but when u start removing a thermostat then i'd start to worry.(unless your trying to get throught the desert with a cooling problem then i understand!) but due to the low low temp,the oil (almost)never breaks down enough to give your engine the protection it needs against wear and tear.for it to break down at that temp u'd need to drive it quite a bit around for it to do its job properly. when the engine runs hotter its better for fuel efficency. if your a town daily driver type of guy then i'd say no,go with a 180.but...your saying the 180 runs at 200? my 160 stat when i had it ran around 165-170 in traffic all day with my chip and fans programed. strange....thats just too low for these cars and most others aswell unless your in a some HOT areas! i would say runnin at 185ish is a good temp for your car Purplem. thats my current temp im running NOW,before was too low,it runs much better on emissons and its better on gas and response being hotter aslo.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
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From: The Top of Utah
Re: 160 degree thermostat (purplemajesty)
I am hoping someone can clarify something for me. Why would the warm up period for a 160 stat be any difference that a 180? !
I had a 180 stat and ran 201 degress consistently. Now that I have a 160 stat and a chip programmed to turn the fans on earlier, I run 184 degrees but I didn't notice it taking any longer to get to 180. Isn't this hot enough to burn off any moisture? !
An operating temp of 184, will burn off acids and condensation, eventually. The lower the operating temp, the longer it will take. On short hops, it'll never get burned off regardless of the thermostat. Right, wrong, or indifferent, the main thing is if you're happy.
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[Modified by CFI-EFI, 9:27 AM 3/12/2004]