180 or 160 Thermostat?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 2,372
Likes: 227
From: N Cal
180 or 160 Thermostat?
I am planning on changing out the stock 195 degree thermostat and I'm looking for some advice on which new stat to install. I want to try changing my thermostat only at this time to reduce the operating temperature (no fan switch) and would like to hear from anyone who has tried this mod. Thanks!
:cool:
:cool:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,743
Likes: 3
From: Davie Florida
Re: 180 or 160 Thermostat? (l2vette)
You must either install a fan switch or have pcm. reprogramed to turn your fans on earlier. Just installing a 160 or 180 t.stat. will not lower your cars operating tempts. much especially if you get stuck in traffic. If you live were it gets cold and you have to use your heater go with the 180 t.stat. If you live in a place where it is hot a good part of the year go with the 160.
[Modified by Mitch C, 3:05 PM 10/31/2001]
[Modified by Mitch C, 3:05 PM 10/31/2001]
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,195
Likes: 0
From: Foothill Ranch, Ca Ca.
Re: 180 or 160 Thermostat? (l2vette)
Keep in mind, going with a cooler T-stat...all it does is it opens sooner.
On a hot day, it doesn't guarantee you will run cooler. All it does is it will open sooner.
Here's an exagerated example: If the weather is 95 degrees, and you run a 100* T-stat, would your water temp run at 100*? NO.
If you want to run cooler, think of what your cooling "system" is capable of.
Where it helps are: Cooler T-stat, fans coming on sooner, and an after-market radiator like BeCool.
Just doing the T-stat alone may drop your operating temps. This is true when cruising but not always true in traffic.
Good luck
[Modified by Da Kind, 3:09 PM 10/31/2001]
[Modified by Da Kind, 3:09 PM 10/31/2001]
On a hot day, it doesn't guarantee you will run cooler. All it does is it will open sooner.
Here's an exagerated example: If the weather is 95 degrees, and you run a 100* T-stat, would your water temp run at 100*? NO.
If you want to run cooler, think of what your cooling "system" is capable of.
Where it helps are: Cooler T-stat, fans coming on sooner, and an after-market radiator like BeCool.
Just doing the T-stat alone may drop your operating temps. This is true when cruising but not always true in traffic.
Good luck
[Modified by Da Kind, 3:09 PM 10/31/2001]
[Modified by Da Kind, 3:09 PM 10/31/2001]
Safety Car
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 4,827
Likes: 352
From: Albuquerque NM
Re: 180 or 160 Thermostat? (l2vette)
IMO go with the 160. That is supposedly the temp it STARTS to open. It's not fully open until the temp is somewhat higher. With the 160 mine runs 175 to 185 in stop and go city traffic. With airflow over the radiator, either by driving at speeds over 45 mph, or by turning the fans on, it stays at 170 to 175. Unless they have changed the 178 thermostats in the last year, DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY ON THEM. THEY DON'T WORK. I bought two of the pieces of junk, sent them back. They open as they should, but don't close to regulate the coolant temp. You end up running the engine WAY TOO COLD if the air temp gets below 50 degrees. :U Spend a buck more and get a new Hypertech 160, not the 178 which is a badly modified factory unit. If it gets cold where you live, you'll thank me. :yesnod:
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,950
Likes: 32
From: belleville n.j.
Re: 180 or 160 Thermostat? (Da Kind)
On a hot day, it doesn't guarantee you will run cooler. All it does is it will open sooner.
[Modified by Da Kind, 3:09 PM 10/31/2001]
[Modified by Da Kind, 3:09 PM 10/31/2001]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,756
Likes: 5
From: Satellite Beach, FL, USA
Re: 180 or 160 Thermostat? (robsvette)
If you plan on keeping the car a while, I would stick with stock. The HP claims of going to an aftermarket "modified stock" unit are dubious. Many on these "aftemarket" units are poor quality hack jobs of the OEM unit. Depending on where you are located, in the cold months, you can do subtle damage to your engine driving it hard until the engine gets up to temperature. You need to get the oil and combustion chamber up to temp ASAP. Putting in a 160 deg unit only makes it worse. I live in FL. During cold days in winter, it takes my engine way too long to get up to temp. It rarely gets below 45 deg, nevermind freezing in winter.
Marine engines run a 145 deg thermostat because the salt in salt water precipitates out and clogs the engine cooline passages if run at say 180-200 deg. The engines suffer from long term problems due to running at these cooler temps. You never really get the oil hot enough to cook off moisture in it unless you push the engines hard.
Marine engines run a 145 deg thermostat because the salt in salt water precipitates out and clogs the engine cooline passages if run at say 180-200 deg. The engines suffer from long term problems due to running at these cooler temps. You never really get the oil hot enough to cook off moisture in it unless you push the engines hard.
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Verdad Gallardo
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 26,714
Likes: 344
From: Houston, TX
Re: 180 or 160 Thermostat? (99HT)
99HT brings up a good question. Has anyone noticed the effect on oil temp before and after installing a colder t-stat? How hot does your oil get when fully warmed up? (my oil temp is around 200 - 205 in normal driving, coolant temp 195 in normal driving on open road). For wear and tear on the engine, and frequency of oil changes, getting oil fully warmed up is very important. I don't run my cars hard until the oil is warmed up enough to flow properly. I would welcome any input on this. You should note that the oil temp comes up much slower than coolant temp.
[Modified by jschindler, 10:34 AM 11/1/2001]
[Modified by jschindler, 10:34 AM 11/1/2001]