thermostat question

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Dec 27, 2006 | 11:02 PM

Corvette Don

Thread Starter

Le Mans Master

Joined: Jun 2006

Posts: 6,979

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From: Wichita KS

thermostat question

I know, I know.......Ive noticed my car getting up to 228 in the city, is it ok to get aa 180 or even a 160 deg thermostat without any problems?

Dec 27, 2006 | 11:39 PM

robvuk

Le Mans Master

Joined: Sep 2004

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From: Los Angeles

Quote:

Originally Posted by LS1C5Vette

I know, I know.......Ive noticed my car getting up to 228 in the city, is it ok to get aa 180 or even a 160 deg thermostat without any problems?

I hope you realize that's not going to reduce that 228 temp in the city. This is perfectly normal.

Dec 28, 2006 | 12:04 AM

Corvette Don

Thread Starter

Le Mans Master

Joined: Jun 2006

Posts: 6,979

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From: Wichita KS

Quote:

Originally Posted by robvuk

I hope you realize that's not going to reduce that 228 temp in the city. This is perfectly normal.

I figured it was but would it help performance wise to switch to the next lower deg thermostat?

Dec 28, 2006 | 12:48 AM

fdxpilot

Safety Car

Joined: Jul 2001

Posts: 4,661

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From: Ocean Springs MS

Quote:

Originally Posted by LS1C5Vette

I figured it was but would it help performance wise to switch to the next lower deg thermostat?

Not unless you get your fan operating temps adjusted. You will just have a wider range of operating temps, 160-230, instead of 190-230.

Dec 28, 2006 | 12:56 AM

PierEagle

Drifting

Joined: Feb 2005

Posts: 1,592

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From: St Louis MO

Quote:

Originally Posted by LS1C5Vette

I figured it was but would it help performance wise to switch to the next lower deg thermostat?

As ROBVUK sez, if 228 is the normal operating temp for your car, putting a lower rated thermostat in is not going to lower that operating temp. All it will do is open up at a lower temp and take slightly longer for the temp to hit 228, but it will hit 228 and I believe that is within the range suggested for the motor. Some may disagree but, I think if you operate the engine at too cool of a range, you actually hinder performance.

If you get an actual overheat situation then you've got a cooling system problem, hoses, leak, blockage, etc., which may or may not include a thermostat that's stuck closed.

Cheers

Dec 28, 2006 | 09:34 AM

gpracer1

Le Mans Master

Joined: Feb 2006

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From: Phoenix AZ

Just have your fans programmed to come on at 2XX <-----insert your preferred temp here.

Dec 28, 2006 | 08:54 PM

kevin40zx

Burning Brakes

Joined: Oct 2006

Posts: 1,006

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From: Cincinnati OH

I put a 178deg on mine and noticed around an 8deg drop in temps while cruising. But it will still heat up around 225 while sitting still.

Dec 28, 2006 | 11:11 PM

65GGvert

Team Owner

Joined: Jul 2006

Posts: 22,139

Likes: 4,156

From: Kannapolis NC

Try cleaning the radiator (in front and between the radiator and condensor fins) before you try the thermostat. Mine runs around 200 most of the time, never has gotten to 228. As you have already heard, just putting in a lower thermostat will only alter the temp your thermostat opens, not the temp your car runs in traffic. You need good air flow through the radiator to lower that. Make sure your fans are coming on, too.