Using 160 thermostat to lower temps?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 6,644
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From: OK
Using 160 thermostat to lower temps?
Whaaaaat"? I have seen several post suggesting that putting a lower temp thermostat..... will lower your operating temp.
I would like for someone to "splan" that to me.
I am kinda old school and some technology has zoomed right by me....but, this thermostat temp lowering thing makes NO sense to me. Clean your radiator....make sure your fans are working properly....keep GM recommended coolant fresh and at properly levels.....and you should have no issues with operating temps.
If your thermostat isn't working it just WON'T or will not open fully and your car will positively, absolutely, over heat.....because of NO CIRCULATION..the thermostat only stays closed to "warm" the car up quicker....thats it.......it doesn't regulate operating temps!
PS I am a NEW 04 C5 Vert owner and it is taking some getting used to the higher operating temps of the LS1
I would like for someone to "splan" that to me. I am kinda old school and some technology has zoomed right by me....but, this thermostat temp lowering thing makes NO sense to me. Clean your radiator....make sure your fans are working properly....keep GM recommended coolant fresh and at properly levels.....and you should have no issues with operating temps.If your thermostat isn't working it just WON'T or will not open fully and your car will positively, absolutely, over heat.....because of NO CIRCULATION..the thermostat only stays closed to "warm" the car up quicker....thats it.......it doesn't regulate operating temps!
PS I am a NEW 04 C5 Vert owner and it is taking some getting used to the higher operating temps of the LS1
Last edited by 73Corvette; Sep 30, 2014 at 01:04 PM.
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I don't like them either and they don't make your car run cooler, they just open sooner... keeping the coolant fresh and debris out of the radiator/condenser should keep it fine with the stock thermostat... however it will still creep up into the 220+ range at times regardless of what thermostat you use unless you have the fan on/off temps adjusted and this is the way to keep them from getting that hot
Melting Slicks
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From: orlando florida
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So you are saying if I want to have my engine to run at 160 all I need to do is leave the 210 stat in there, make sure fans are running and clean the radiator? Hmm yeah makes sense to me.
I've been around the ls1 scene for a little bit. So I understand the tstat is nothing more than a door.
You have to do a little more than just put the tstat in. Also have to program the fans to come on sooner than the 224/234* they are set at as well, or the lower tstat is useless.
When I had my 160 tstat in my 2000 formula, the engine would run around 180* with correct fan temps set.
I've been around the ls1 scene for a little bit. So I understand the tstat is nothing more than a door.
You have to do a little more than just put the tstat in. Also have to program the fans to come on sooner than the 224/234* they are set at as well, or the lower tstat is useless.
When I had my 160 tstat in my 2000 formula, the engine would run around 180* with correct fan temps set.
Last edited by mrr23; Sep 30, 2014 at 02:03 PM.
Platinum Supporting Dealership
Joined: Jul 2014
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From: Rochester New York
A lower temperature thermostat will not lower the running temperature by itself. Radiator size, coolant capacity, and fans all play a role too.
Many will install a 160* thermostat and have the fans programmed to turn on around 170* to 180*. The combination of a lower temperature thermostat and the fans coming on at a lower temperature will help regulate coolant temperature around 170* to 180* during normal idle and cruise conditions.
High RPMs, extreme ambient temperatures and oil temperatures can effect coolant/engine temperature as well.
Many will install a 160* thermostat and have the fans programmed to turn on around 170* to 180*. The combination of a lower temperature thermostat and the fans coming on at a lower temperature will help regulate coolant temperature around 170* to 180* during normal idle and cruise conditions.
High RPMs, extreme ambient temperatures and oil temperatures can effect coolant/engine temperature as well.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,700
Likes: 298
From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
In South Florida, I usually switch to a 160 t-stat in May and go back to stock (187) in November. Its your car, do what ever makes you happy.
Remember, keep the front of the radiator clean.
Check the hoses. Change the coolant once a year..to a 50/50 mixture of DexCool and distilled water. Change your radiator pressure cap every other year.
Do the above and you'll be fine.
Remember, keep the front of the radiator clean.
Check the hoses. Change the coolant once a year..to a 50/50 mixture of DexCool and distilled water. Change your radiator pressure cap every other year.
Do the above and you'll be fine.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
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From: Wisconsin
Since C5s come with 190 degree thermostats, GM engineers must want these cars to run hotter than 190 for maximum efficiency and engine life. They did do some testing on them before they decided on 190. The thermostat just sets the minimum operating temp.
Last edited by JR-01; Sep 30, 2014 at 06:24 PM.
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Burning Brakes
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The builders of the LS platform designed the engine with internal tolerances to support higher running temperatures. It's a waist to change the T-stat on a stock engine. Actually by not allowing it to reach higher temps you are diminishing it's longevity. Once you modify it and are competitively driving the car a 160 stat will do good for the motor. As mentioned the stat needs support of proper radiator and fan programming to keep the temps at desired level.
Last edited by zagger; Oct 1, 2014 at 12:00 AM.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 6,644
Likes: 481
From: OK
So you are saying if I want to have my engine to run at 160 all I need to do is leave the 210 stat in there, make sure fans are running and clean the radiator? Hmm yeah makes sense to me.
I've been around the ls1 scene for a little bit. So I understand the tstat is nothing more than a door.
You have to do a little more than just put the tstat in. Also have to program the fans to come on sooner than the 224/234* they are set at as well, or the lower tstat is useless.
When I had my 160 tstat in my 2000 formula, the engine would run around 180* with correct fan temps set.
I've been around the ls1 scene for a little bit. So I understand the tstat is nothing more than a door.
You have to do a little more than just put the tstat in. Also have to program the fans to come on sooner than the 224/234* they are set at as well, or the lower tstat is useless.
When I had my 160 tstat in my 2000 formula, the engine would run around 180* with correct fan temps set.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 6,644
Likes: 481
From: OK
I totally agree with you...I am just a country boy from oklahoma...no college degree....so, I am not going to presume that i know more than the GM engineers..... I am pretty new to this forum so I didn't know it has been drug thru the mud already....just kept seeing it pop up and thought I'd add my two cents.......probably won't happen again.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,186
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From: Scottsdale Az
A lower temperature thermostat will not lower the running temperature by itself. Radiator size, coolant capacity, and fans all play a role too.
Many will install a 160* thermostat and have the fans programmed to turn on around 170* to 180*. The combination of a lower temperature thermostat and the fans coming on at a lower temperature will help regulate coolant temperature around 170* to 180* during normal idle and cruise conditions.
High RPMs, extreme ambient temperatures and oil temperatures can effect coolant/engine temperature as well.
Many will install a 160* thermostat and have the fans programmed to turn on around 170* to 180*. The combination of a lower temperature thermostat and the fans coming on at a lower temperature will help regulate coolant temperature around 170* to 180* during normal idle and cruise conditions.
High RPMs, extreme ambient temperatures and oil temperatures can effect coolant/engine temperature as well.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
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From: Wisconsin
Except your fan is probably running almost continuously and will fail sooner than normal. The fans were not designed for continuous use. The car was designed to cool by normal air flow at speed. Fans come on only when there isn't enough airflow to keep temps in range.
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Le Mans Master
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That is the only reason I changed mine to 160-deg as the Tuner I used required it. Well worth the swap, but just changing the T-stat alone won't change the temperature of the water/engine - just changes at what point the water starts to "flow" through the system.
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A lower temperature thermostat will not lower the running temperature by itself. Radiator size, coolant capacity, and fans all play a role too.
Many will install a 160* thermostat and have the fans programmed to turn on around 170* to 180*. The combination of a lower temperature thermostat and the fans coming on at a lower temperature will help regulate coolant temperature around 170* to 180* during normal idle and cruise conditions.
High RPMs, extreme ambient temperatures and oil temperatures can effect coolant/engine temperature as well.
Many will install a 160* thermostat and have the fans programmed to turn on around 170* to 180*. The combination of a lower temperature thermostat and the fans coming on at a lower temperature will help regulate coolant temperature around 170* to 180* during normal idle and cruise conditions.
High RPMs, extreme ambient temperatures and oil temperatures can effect coolant/engine temperature as well.
