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Hey guys, I have a couple of questions about changing my thermostat on my 98 Corvette that I was hoping you could answer for me.
(Here's what I've done to my car so far...
I've installed a dual cone air intake system, installed a coolant bypass kit, relocated the mat sensor, had my throttlebody ported to a larger opening, installe Borla x-pipes and a Borla exhaust.)
Now, if I'm correct, the stock thermostat on a 98 is 195 degree stat, is that correct?
I was looking to get a lower temp one, and I saw either a 160 or 180 degree unit. Which would be the better to go with?
Also, I saw somewhere listed that a 160 degree stat is not legal for use on pollution controlled (cat) vehicle. Is that true? (I'm in NJ, and I need cats to be street legal)
Most of the stats I'm looking at come complete with a new housing. Does anyone know where I can get one in chrome?
Has anyone done the stat swap with the minimal engine mods that I have, and if so, what advantages have you seen?
Thanks!
Hey guys, I have a couple of questions about changing my thermostat on my 98 Corvette that I was hoping you could answer for me.
(Here's what I've done to my car so far...
I've installed a dual cone air intake system, installed a coolant bypass kit, relocated the mat sensor, had my throttlebody ported to a larger opening, installe Borla x-pipes and a Borla exhaust.)
Now, if I'm correct, the stock thermostat on a 98 is 195 degree stat, is that correct?
I was looking to get a lower temp one, and I saw either a 160 or 180 degree unit. Which would be the better to go with?
Also, I saw somewhere listed that a 160 degree stat is not legal for use on pollution controlled (cat) vehicle. Is that true? (I'm in NJ, and I need cats to be street legal)
Most of the stats I'm looking at come complete with a new housing. Does anyone know where I can get one in chrome?
Has anyone done the stat swap with the minimal engine mods that I have, and if so, what advantages have you seen?
Thanks!
Changing the stat will not change the temperature the car will run at it will just "open" sooner. Coolant fans will still be controlled by the BCM and A/C use. Stat change alone is wasting time/money.
on these cars changing the thermostat will not gain anything unless you tune for it...to take advantage of that...most of your turbo and supercharged build cars will go with a 160 stat
I've never fully understood why a stat change to 160* even with fan tune will change the cooling capacity of a radiator? if the car is running hot, well over either stat opening point say 235+ at this point I think you would need a bigger radiator. My sc 383 had a brand new stock radiator and fans tuned to turn on early in Florida at 95* it would keep climbing if I had ac on (235+) until I turned ac off. I put in a Dewitt's radiator/oil cooler and spal fans with a separate trans cooler and fan mounted under headlight now it does not go much over 200* anytime! I'm sure the stat with fan tune would not have helped in my case, motor just made more heat than radiator could handle. Maybe if you are closer to ideal temps on a stockish motor it helps to open early but if temps keep climbing with both fans on you will need more cooling capacity! No way around it!
Last edited by Forcedvert; Feb 17, 2016 at 10:31 PM.
People think an LSX engine is over heating at 225 F. People constantly think this is a normal engine design. For those so skeptical.. go take a look at the red line temp of your car.
The first mistake people here make is they actually think old school cast iron blocks, and then equate 1960's technology with this engine design.
People think an LSX engine is over heating at 225 F. People constantly think this is a normal engine design. For those so skeptical.. go take a look at the red line temp of your car.
The first mistake people here make is they actually think old school cast iron blocks, and then equate 1960's technology with this engine design.
I hope you don't think I was doubting you, I believe you and my mechanic, but my modded ls motor was 235* and climbing fast with ac on I had to get more cooling capacity. I'm asking... not telling you anything, would a lower stat have helped me much in this case?
Last edited by Forcedvert; Feb 17, 2016 at 10:31 PM.
People think an LSX engine is over heating at 225 F. People constantly think this is a normal engine design. For those so skeptical.. go take a look at the red line temp of your car.
The first mistake people here make is they actually think old school cast iron blocks, and then equate 1960's technology with this engine design.
I do think that's where it comes from, My 69 Camaro with a big block needed the 160 and it did run cooler with it !!!! Then a few years later I had a Cutlass with a 350 and the first summer I changed the stat to a 160 /// my gas mileage went from 23 to 16 /// put the 195 back in and the mileage went back to 23 ///it liked running hotter ?????
Here's a problem I ran into lowering the stat temp...
I thought I knew more than the engineers ha ha....
Don't laugh... but when I changed it to 180... the auto temp control would not turn on the heat... like it was showing the engine too cold to open the heat door. So it would just blow cold, regardless of the setting.
Now my wife had another reason not to want to go for rides.
stock tstat, getting a lower temp one will really just not the let the car come up to temp as quickly. I did get my fan turn on temps changed slightly in the tune....but stock tstat. Car runs solid 190-200F, even on the track.
You can put a 160 stat in your car without getting the fans tuned. I put one in my 98 A4 when I purchased Chuck CoWs autocal package because he required it. I installed without the fans tuned until Chuck was able to adjust them. At highway speeds your temps should be lower, my temps are about 15 degrees cooler than before when cruising. Without the fans adjusted to come on sooner, in stop and go traffic your temps will still get to same temps as before.
I hope you don't think I was doubting you, I believe you and my mechanic, but my modded ls motor was 235* and climbing fast with ac on I had to get more cooling capacity. I'm asking... not telling you anything, would a lower stat have helped me much in this case?
I was just making a general statement with no specific post in mind. Once you change the dynamics of this motor with modifications, all testing done to insure the reliability of this engine goes right out the window. Cooling and lubrication play a very important part in this engine design, more so than with cast iron blocks.
I don't really care who does what to their car... but don't expect the same reliability as the motor that spent so much time in testing and development.
You can put a 160 stat in your car without getting the fans tuned. I put one in my 98 A4 when I purchased Chuck CoWs autocal package because he required it. I installed without the fans tuned until Chuck was able to adjust them. At highway speeds your temps should be lower, my temps are about 15 degrees cooler than before when cruising. Without the fans adjusted to come on sooner, in stop and go traffic your temps will still get to same temps as before.
Yes.... 160 stat..... JUST DO IT..... But be sure to have the fans properly tuned for it or it won't work optimally.
BTW, I got your datalog, but I'm away till monday. I'll get you just as soon as I get back.
Nobody has answered your question on the chrome. The assembly does come apart. The thermostat is spring loaded and will separate if you compress the lock and spring and turn the lock. Then the stat will be able to be removed. Then you can send off the housing to get either chromed or polished.
I have 160* in my car (418 LS3). I will admit, even in southern states, one should change it back in the late fall and all of winter months. The car WILL run too cold. I remember in my old motor, I was running the stat in upper 40* weather and the car never saw 180* nor did the oil reach 200*and I have a 15+mile commute in stop n go traffic. That is not good for engine longevity and will increase engine wear rates. Moisture builds inside the block and wont burn off without reaching ideal temps. Honestly probably not good in the performance side either as its just too cold. You being in New Jersey, IMO, I wouldn't change the stock stat unless you were heavily modified or tracked the car. And IF you decide to, go 180* t-stat.
When I was getting my PCM tuned at ECS Doug recommended a 160, I didn't want to go that low being in Michigan, I went with 180 and Doug has my fans turning on at lower temps, all last summer the engine stayed around 190 never saw it above 195 !!!! Gas mileage and performance very good !!!!!
Thermostat Questions
