Thermostat
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 655
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
Thermostat
Hey guys, I was wondering, I want to put a lower temperature thermostat on my 03 z06. My upgrades so far have been a halltech ssm stinger intake, b&m short throw ripper shifter, and BB Bullet quad tip exhaust. Now will I be able to put a thermostat on my car without having my ecu tuned? Is it a hard install? Which one should I get? I live in Virginia if that helps on the temperature. I mean I would really like to be able to run my car cool as possible, but im just not familiar with thermostats to know which one to get. I appriciate the help, Jason.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 8,003
Likes: 248
From: Tampa Fl
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
I went with the 160 degrees thermostat.
if you have your car tuned, you can have your fans come on earlier. I cant remember but I think mine come on at 200 degrees. Maybe it was 220. Whatever EastCoast Superchargers set it at
if you have your car tuned, you can have your fans come on earlier. I cant remember but I think mine come on at 200 degrees. Maybe it was 220. Whatever EastCoast Superchargers set it at
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,088
Likes: 61
From: NY- 2013 Corvette Challenge Champion-2013 Index Combo Champion 2015 CC/MM Champion
St. Jude Donor '07
I just put in a 170 from VINCI HIGH PERF,I changed it from a 160.I had a 180 but my high speed fans stayed on.There set at 194 to come on.The car runs between 178 to 185 now w/ the 170.This way I can run it in the summer months too without changing it back and forth I hope. 
. You probably can go with the 160 and you will have to change your fan settings.
. You probably can go with the 160 and you will have to change your fan settings.
Last edited by DRIVER456; Nov 27, 2005 at 07:23 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 822
Likes: 0
From: Grafton Ohio
Originally Posted by C6this
If I got a 160 would I need to get my car tuned for the fans to come on?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,088
Likes: 61
From: NY- 2013 Corvette Challenge Champion-2013 Index Combo Champion 2015 CC/MM Champion
St. Jude Donor '07
You could do that.You also can buy one of those gizmo's that you have splice in to your fan wiring and you can adjust the fans to come on at any where from 140 to 240,But its the low speed fans.I have it Works great I like it.Some forum venders sell it,JC Whitney has it for about half the price.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!
Brett Foote
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)
Joe Kucinski
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!
Michael S. Palmer
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!
Joe Kucinski
7 Bolt-On Upgrades From Extreme Online Store to Level Up Your C6 Corvette
Pouria Savadkouei
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 655
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
So if I get a 160, and I do not get a tune right away will it make my car run at lower temps at all? Or for my car to run at any bit of a lower temp I would have to get the fans to turn on sooner?
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Originally Posted by DRIVER456
I just put in a 170 from VINCI HIGH PERF,I changed it from a 160.I had a 180 but my high speed fans stayed on.There set at 194 to come on.The car runs between 178 to 185 now w/ the 170.This way I can run it in the summer months too without changing it back and forth I hope. . You probably can go with the 160 and you will have to change your fan settings.
. You probably can go with the 160 and you will have to change your fan settings.
I plan on editing this DTC out when I tune my car! 
I also set my fans to come on earlier! I never get out of the 170-180 band!! It an easy install. Plan on changing your anti-freeze cause you will loose most of it! Just unbolt the thermostat housing, pop out the old OEM stat and pop in the aftermarket stat. Refill it and your off to the races!
BC
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,949
Likes: 10
From: Monticello MN
Originally Posted by Bill Curlee
I also put in a 170deg Stat in my 02 Z06. The only issue that I have is that I throw a code. Cant remember the DTC but it says that the car took longer than expected to warm up! I plan on editing this DTC out when I tune my car! I also set my fans to come on earlier! I never get out of the 170-180 band!!
BC
I plan on editing this DTC out when I tune my car! I also set my fans to come on earlier! I never get out of the 170-180 band!! BC
I'm planning on going with the Vinci 170, also. What did you set your fans at? Thanks!
Ed
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 655
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
Guys, the question that I still need answered is that, if I buy a 160 and install it without having my fans readjusted will my operating temperature be any lower and is it safe to use without the fan edit. Like, will the 160 by itself make my vehicle run at a lower temp?
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,949
Likes: 10
From: Monticello MN
Originally Posted by C6this
Guys, the question that I still need answered is that, if I buy a 160 and install it without having my fans readjusted will my operating temperature be any lower and is it safe to use without the fan edit. Like, will the 160 by itself make my vehicle run at a lower temp?
What year is your car? My understanding is that the car will run cooler, but not at 160 degrees, probably quite a bit higher, actually. It's wise to set your fans down to keep the temp from really swinging all over....low to high. If you have a 2000 C5, I have a Hypertech programmer I would sell you cheap, if you wanted it. Very easy to use. I have had LS1Edit run on my car due to heads/cam/longtubes/etc., and no longer need the Hypertech, which I returned to stock prior to my mods.
Ed
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,088
Likes: 61
From: NY- 2013 Corvette Challenge Champion-2013 Index Combo Champion 2015 CC/MM Champion
St. Jude Donor '07
Originally Posted by C6this
Guys, the question that I still need answered is that, if I buy a 160 and install it without having my fans readjusted will my operating temperature be any lower and is it safe to use without the fan edit. Like, will the 160 by itself make my vehicle run at a lower temp?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,088
Likes: 61
From: NY- 2013 Corvette Challenge Champion-2013 Index Combo Champion 2015 CC/MM Champion
St. Jude Donor '07
Originally Posted by C6this
Alright, thanks a lot for clearing that up for me. Last question, is it best to go with the 160?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 822
Likes: 0
From: Grafton Ohio
Originally Posted by C6this
Alright, thanks a lot for clearing that up for me. Last question, is it best to go with the 160?
Yes. I have a 160 and even in 40 degree temps my coolant gauge never goes below 165
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,088
Likes: 61
From: NY- 2013 Corvette Challenge Champion-2013 Index Combo Champion 2015 CC/MM Champion
St. Jude Donor '07
Originally Posted by jers98vet
Yes. I have a 160 and even in 40 degree temps my coolant gauge never goes below 165
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 822
Likes: 0
From: Grafton Ohio
Originally Posted by DRIVER456
Do you notice what your oil temp is? With the 160 and the cooler weather