Does the 160 thermstat help or not?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 753
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From: Denville NJ
Does the 160 thermstat help or not?
I have read a lot on this on the forum, and would like to know from those of you that actually have tried it; does the 160 degree thermo. actually help the LS1 run cooler? Thanks
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,938
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From: Rochester Hills MI
it will on the highway, but not in city driving. You will have to reprogram the fans to keep it cooler in city driving. I wouldn't put in the 160 unless you do this, otherwise the engine will constantly be going through large temperature fluctuations, which is not good. If you aren't going to reprogram the fans, id go with the 180.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Schaumburg IL
CI 7-8-9-11 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'10, '13
When you start adding big power mods and getting a tune done on the engine, most professional shops will install a 160 t-stat to help keep it cooler and enable them to tune better. As the other poster stated, you also need to reprogram the fans.
If your car is stock, or close to stock, it's a waste of time to mess with it. The factory settings and t-stat are fine.
If your car is stock, or close to stock, it's a waste of time to mess with it. The factory settings and t-stat are fine.
Administrator
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Bel Air (by way of Fort Worth, TX) Maryland
St. Jude Donor '12 thru '21
When you start adding big power mods and getting a tune done on the engine, most professional shops will install a 160 t-stat to help keep it cooler and enable them to tune better. As the other poster stated, you also need to reprogram the fans.
If your car is stock, or close to stock, it's a waste of time to mess with it. The factory settings and t-stat are fine.
If your car is stock, or close to stock, it's a waste of time to mess with it. The factory settings and t-stat are fine.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 4,811
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From: Simpsonville SC
I have a 160 and my fans are tuned for it. On the highway Ive seen between 179-180. Around town Ive seen the highest as 189. Sitting in line at the bank with 101 degree weather it was up to 191. Id say its worth it. 
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From: Manassas Park VA
St. Jude Donor '07-'08,-'13-'14, '16-'17
There use to be a funny sticky on the subject
Everyone has their opinion on the subject.
Since you asked, mine is no
Peace
Chip
Everyone has their opinion on the subject.
Since you asked, mine is no
Peace
Chip
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It made a diffrence with my car!!!
Le Mans Master
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From: Winter Park FL
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: N E area of state Kansas
I am going to change mine, but I am on the highway most of the time. I also plan on changing fans settings as well. the 160 just opens earlier, and gets to full open earlier then the original. Air movement is what cools the fluid that cools the car engine. If you are flowing fluid, but not cooling the fluid, it is not going to matter. Fluid is cooled by the air moving when you are driving, or when you your fans are moving air. Hence the fan retune. To acheive cooler temps, you have to do both. One or the other will not make a huge diffrence all the time.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Pittsburgh PA
My fans are programmed and I run 186 to 188 or so in town and 174 to 180 on the highway. Not sure how you could say the 160 stat doesn't work. Previous temps were in the 225 range in city traffic with the stock unit....
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With proper tuning changes made, yes it works. I went from stock temps hovering in the 210-220 range to a 160° thermostat and tuned it never goes above about 195 or so, even with the addition of turbo's and some rather spirited driving.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Winter Park FL
Huh? I said "yes, definitely" as in yes it will definitely work.
Pro
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From: Pittsburgh PA
Maybe I should have said, "Not sure how ANYONE could say the 160 stat doesn't work." I was agreeing with you...
Race Director
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From: Schaumburg IL
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St. Jude Donor '06-'10, '13
No doubt re-programming the fans and changing to a 160 tstat will make the car run cooler, however, on a stock motor, what is the point? The car stock, was designed to run at the temp with the stock t-stat and fan settings. I doubt you are going to pick up HP or get better times at the track with changing the T-stat.. that is my opinion, and also what most tuners have told me.