160 degree stat Y or N?
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
Originally Posted by SilverBeast
I'm confused now. If this is so, then why do several CF members recommend 160 degree for the drag strip or racing?
RACE ON!!!
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 22,209
Likes: 12
From: OBAMA IS HITLER
I have my dual fans programmed around a 180* t-stat, in my case the L98 had a 195* stock t-stat. I cruise at about 182* and don't get any hotter than 197* at stop lights in the burning sun. This is within the optimal range for a long life engine.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
I've been running a 160deg T-stat and aux fan switch for over 4 1/2 yrs and am quite happy with the results.
I've launched with coolant temps at 160 and again with coolant tems around 170 and the cooler temps give a little faster trap speed.
Actually a 160deg T-stat & fan switch does not prolong engine warm up, nor time to go closed loop. The closed loop temp is well below 160deg so the T-stat is still closed when the ECM goes closed loop, just as it would be with a 180 or 195deg T-stat.
As far as engine wear is concerned, I started using the 160deg T-stat with 96k miles on the clock and she now has over 140k miles, with no oil usage between changes. You need to remember that the General sets operaing specs with many considerastions in mind, and performance is only one of these.
I've launched with coolant temps at 160 and again with coolant tems around 170 and the cooler temps give a little faster trap speed.
Actually a 160deg T-stat & fan switch does not prolong engine warm up, nor time to go closed loop. The closed loop temp is well below 160deg so the T-stat is still closed when the ECM goes closed loop, just as it would be with a 180 or 195deg T-stat.
As far as engine wear is concerned, I started using the 160deg T-stat with 96k miles on the clock and she now has over 140k miles, with no oil usage between changes. You need to remember that the General sets operaing specs with many considerastions in mind, and performance is only one of these.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 7,805
Likes: 0
From: If you read this, you'll go blind
Originally Posted by SilverBeast
I'm confused now. If this is so, then why do several CF members recommend 160 degree for the drag strip or racing?
It will not give any performance benefit in and of itself.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,199
Likes: 4
From: Cairns Australia
The 160 Thermostat ONLY makes a difference in cold weather.
When it does make a difference, it is BAD, the engine runs way too cool at about 74 degrees Centigrade
I thought my 160 T was helping to keep my 88 cool, but when I put in a new radiator I discovered it made no difference except in the winter and then the car ran too cool. I've put a 180T back in and still running nice and cool at the end of winter here - 84 degrees Centigrade
I see you're in Florida - I'm In Cairns, Tropical Australia - same distance from equator (Latitude 16S) and probably temps as Sth Mexico but with high humidity.
IMO 180 is the right T'stat
S'nut
When it does make a difference, it is BAD, the engine runs way too cool at about 74 degrees Centigrade
I thought my 160 T was helping to keep my 88 cool, but when I put in a new radiator I discovered it made no difference except in the winter and then the car ran too cool. I've put a 180T back in and still running nice and cool at the end of winter here - 84 degrees Centigrade
I see you're in Florida - I'm In Cairns, Tropical Australia - same distance from equator (Latitude 16S) and probably temps as Sth Mexico but with high humidity.
IMO 180 is the right T'stat
S'nut
